Tourism Winnipeg

"We utilize technology today in a very different manner to engage with and interact with our customers," said David Eggerman, Qualico's Regional Vice President. "We now have an online sales concierge service where customers can interact with a live agent on the other side of their computer, their text, their phone at a time that's convenient for them." At some points, social distancing and provincial health regulations made it difficult for customers to visit a show home and tour the property as they once would. Qualico focused on the digital experience as consumers flocked to the internet to do their research from a distance. "We pride ourselves on having one of the top reputations in the city," said Concord's Ploegman. "Relationships and reputations go a long way in a market like Winnipeg. That just speaks to how you treat other people. You've got to be fair and treat people with respect. When you know everyone and there's history together you can figure out that one problem because you want to keep working together on the next project. Those relationships, they help us the most during times of adversity." LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Manitoba is home to one of the largest Indigenous populations in Canada. With First Nations territories throughout the region, Winnipeg was the ideal central location for TCIG to maintain its regional operations and serve the province's seven tribal councils. "Winnipeg is on Treaty 1 territory and there is a large Indigenous population that is ready and able to do business," said TCIG's Berthelette. "Indigenous businesses are well structured, competitive and set up to do great business, to make great partnerships. Winnipeg is a pretty big small town. It is nice to have those doors easily accessible. There has been some incredibly strong leadership in some of the bigger corporations in Winnipeg." Wawanesa, a mutual insurance company founded in 1896 in Wawanesa, Manitoba—200 km west of Winnipeg—is proud of its roots and excited for its continued growth in Manitoba's capital. Courtesy of Wawanesa Shea Robinson President & CEO ROBINSON Dan Chubey Managing Director Colliers Heather Berthelette CEO Tribal Councils Investment Group Graham Haigh Senior Vice President and CMO Wawanesa Mark Howe Director of Business Development & Client Relations TDS Nolan Ploegman President & CEO Concord Projects David Eggerman Regional Vice President Qualico "Our roots are essential to who we are as a company," said Graham Haigh, Wawanesa's Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer. "We often say that one of the things that sets us apart is we deliver small town service in a big city industry. We find that attitude present in Manitoba as a whole." While expanding in Canada and the U.S., Wawanesa continues to grow in Winnipeg. It operates out of six buildings in the city and is currently building a new North American headquarters in Downtown Winnipeg's high-profile True North Square. "We are committed to this city and to employing a growing talent base in Winnipeg," said Haigh. "We hope to be able to convince more young people and young families that Winnipeg is a place to grow your lives, and we're going to give them a good opportunity to work here. We are in our 125th year of operation and not many companies can say that. To still be based in the province that we were founded in is important for us." The True North Square project, a mixed-use retail, office and residential complex, drew the attention of many business leaders in Winnipeg and the first to sign as a tenant was Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP (TDS), Manitoba's largest independent law firm. "They needed an anchor tenant to attract other tenants and other investment, and TDS was proud to be the first organization to sign a lease," said Mark Howe, TDS' Director of Business Development and Client Relations. "We wanted to be part of the revitalization of downtown. We wanted to be part of this transformational project. We've been in there over two years now and the building is completely full and it's the place to 9 YES! WINNIPEG REAL LEADERSHIP

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