Burlington Economic Development and Tourism Burlington Complete Amalgamation 

March 3, 2025

This milestone represents the official merging of the organizations  

March 3, 2025 | BURLINGTON, ON  

Burlington Economic Development and Tourism Burlington have officially completed their amalgamation, now operating under the name Burlington Economic Development and Tourism. This integration unites efforts to support Burlington’s businesses and tourism sector under a streamlined governance structure. The transition comes as tourism continues to play a significant role in the local economy, with visitors spending $403 million in Burlington in 2023, according to Destination Canada. 

Ron Laidman, former Board Chair of Burlington Economic Development, has been appointed Chair of the Board of Burlington Economic Development and Tourism. “The collaborative effort and dedication of both teams has been extraordinary. Over 2,000+ volunteer hours from both boards were devoted to bringing the two organizations together. He continued, “not only did staff continue regular operations and driving key strategic deliverables forward, but they also took on new initiatives including rebuilding key stakeholder relationships and launching new services and programs. For this, I commend everyone involved and would like to recognize their incredible efforts and achievements to date. The new board is excited to build on the foundation we have laid thus far to continue advancing Burlington’s economic and tourism growth.”  

Working together in 2024, Burlington Economic Development and Tourism Burlington conducted more than 100 corporate calls, helping to attract over 300 jobs, and supporting more than 800 businesses through various programs.  

To guide the continued growth of economic development and tourism in Burlington, the organization has developed a strategic plan that reflects the priorities of the merged entity. This plan will guide initiatives that support business growth, enhance visitor experiences, and attract investment.  

As part of this strategy, efforts to strengthen business engagement and investment attraction have been expanded through the Corporate Care program. This enhanced program provides direct outreach and tailored support to businesses while also serving as a dedicated resource for conference and event organizers. Through its Business Concierge Service, the program connects organizers with hotels, attractions, and local businesses, ensuring a seamless experience for those bringing major conferences, tournaments, and events to Burlington. Since launching this program in August 2024, we have delivered concierge services to 14 conferences and events, leading to more than 85 connections to local Burlington businesses. Additionally, the Tourism Investment Fund (TIF) was launched in 2024 and is funded through the Municipal Accommodation Tax. The fund helped secure more than 350 hotel room bookings by supporting major events. There are plans to expand business development resources further in 2025. 

Outgoing Board Chair of Tourism Burlington, Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, highlighted the power of collaboration in shaping Burlington’s economic and tourism future. “This merger is more than just a governance change—it’s about how we are aligning ourselves to create a stronger and more unified approach to positioning Burlington for investment, visitors, and talent. By joining forces, we are unlocking new opportunities to achieve objectives around ICI construction, job creation and visitor attraction to drive a stronger economic impact in Burlington.” He continued, “I’m thrilled to be staying on as a director with the new board to help ensure these objectives are met and that Burlington remains a thriving place to live, work, and visit.” 

“This merger allows us to take a more strategic and coordinated approach to strengthening Burlington’s economy and tourism sector,” said Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development and Tourism. “By aligning our resources and expertise, we can better support local businesses, enhance Burlington’s identity as a premier destination, and drive new investment that creates lasting economic impact.” 

To learn more about our amalgamation with Tourism Burlington, click here. 

Attachment 1: BEDT_2025_Objectives 
Attachment 2: BEDT_Highlights 

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Media Contact  

Claire Green 
Burlington Economic Development and Tourism 
Director of Destination Development and Marketing  
Claire.Green@burlington.ca  

About Burlington Economic Development and Tourism 

Burlington Economic Development and Tourism is the official economic development and destination management organization for Burlington, Ontario. We drive Burlington’s economic prosperity by attracting new investments, supporting the growth of local businesses, and promoting the city as a vibrant destination for visitors. Through collaboration with businesses, tourism operators, and partners across sectors, we enhance Burlington’s profile as a thriving business hub and welcoming destination. Our efforts focus on fostering sustainable growth, delivering exceptional customer experience, and contributing to the city’s long-term economic vitality.