Media Release
Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism's Real Impact Campaign generated over $1 billion in GDP
WINNIPEG, MB – Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism’s five-year Real Impact campaign exceeded its ambitious targets, delivering significant capital investment, job growth and positive GDP outcomes for the city.
Between 2021 and 2025, Winnipeg’s business community coalesced behind the Real Impact campaign, an initiative delivered by Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism (formerly YES! Winnipeg). The campaign, which raised $5.2 million in private-sector funding, exceeded its key economic indicator targets, including:
- More than $1 billion in GDP generated (120% of target).
- 10,130 jobs created and supported (101% of target).
- $1.2 billion in capital invested (344% of target).
“The results of the Real Impact campaign highlight the strength and collective leadership of Winnipeg’s private sector, and what can be achieved when businesses come together around a shared economic vision for our city,” said Amanda Macdonald, Vice President of Business Development and Market Intelligence. “This work reflects the trust put in our team by our investors, enabling us to advance key business retention, growth and attraction efforts and strengthen our economy and community in the process.”
“Through the Real Impact campaign and our collaboration with Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism, we’ve seen tangible results that support jobs and investment across our city,” said Austin Abas, Managing Partner at KPMG. “We chose to invest because we believe in working together to create long-term economic value for our community. Continued collaboration will be critical to sustaining that momentum.”
Building on the success of the Real Impact campaign, Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism has already entered the next chapter of its work with a refreshed Partnership Program. This new initiative, which reflects the organization’s unified model of economic development and tourism, builds on the organization’s recently announced multi-year strategy to deliver even greater impact for Winnipeg.
“The results of our last campaign demonstrate the impact our team can have, which is why we’re excited about the impact our new Partnership Program can achieve,” said Macdonald. “Our role through this new strategy will continue to be acting on behalf of Winnipeg’s private sector and helping grow our city’s economy.”
More detailed background information about notable Real Impact Campaign wins are available here.
About Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism
Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism—formerly Economic Development Winnipeg, YES! Winnipeg and Tourism Winnipeg—is the city's lead economic development and tourism agency.
Governed by a private-sector board and guided by the needs of local business and tourism communities, we drive inclusive, sustainable growth in and around Winnipeg by attracting investment, talent and visitors. Through our work, we help make Winnipeg a more vibrant and prosperous place to live, work, invest and visit for the benefit of residents and businesses.
Media contact
Gillian Chester
Director of Corporate Communications
Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism
W: 204-954-1977 | C: 204-296-0425
[email protected]
