APPLICATION GUIDE
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INDEX
1.
The Exchange and its Objectives
2.
Convening Institutions
3.
Profile of Participants & Requirements
4.
General Information on Visits/Projects
5.
Logistics & Estimated Budget: Hotels, Transportation and Meals
6.
Dress Code
7.
Financial Support
8.
Electricity
9.
Language
10.
Visa
11.
Application Form
12.
Contact Information
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The 6
th
Americas Competitiveness
Exchange on Innovation and
Entrepreneurship (ACE)
A High-level visit of Ministers, Economic and Business Leaders, and Experts
to Competiveness Centers in Southern Ontario, Canada
1.
The Exchange and its Objectives
The Sixth Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACE) invites key leaders and decision makers from the public, private and academic sectors to apply for this program and have the
opportunity to experience first-hand successful projects and innovative solutions in Southern Ontario, Canada. The six-day tour will take place from Sunday, September 25 to Saturday, October 1, 2016 and will showcase catalytic drivers such as advanced technology centers, innovation hubs, public-private partnerships, and strategic investments in Southern Ontario, including the cities of Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, and the Niagara Region.
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Featured sites on the tour will target the following clusters: advanced manufacturing, ICT, clean tech, life sciences, agri-food and fintech.
Selected participants will share a week with around 50 top leaders from the Western Hemisphere and other nations to explore partnerships, promote business, investment and economic development opportunities. The Americas Competitiveness Exchange is an initiative of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC) –
www.riacnet.org. The 6th ACE is included in RIAC’s Work Plan for 2016-2018; signed by the Ministers,
Viceministers and High-Level Representatives from the OAS Member States.
For more information and updates on the 6th ACE in Canada, please visit the RIAC’s Twitter Account @riacnetorg
Hashtag #ACXchange, the 6th ACE Webpage www.riacevents.org/ace/canada2016 and the Inter-American
Competitiveness Network (RIAC) main portal at:www.riacnet.org
2.
Convening Institutions
The 6th ACE is convened by the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC), the Government of Canada, through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; the Province of Ontario, Canada; the
Secretariat of Economy of Mexico, as Chair Pro Tempore of RIAC 2016-2018 and the Organization of American States (OAS) as RIAC Technical Secretariat.
3. Profile of Participants & Requirements
Decision makers who drive economic development: Ministers/Vice Ministers (of Economy, Industry, Trade, SME, Science and Technology); Members of Congress/Legislature/Parliament; Private Sector and Local Government Leaders from cities/regions; Chancellors/Presidents/Vice Presidents of Universities; Presidents of
Competitiveness Councils, Senior Leaders of regional economic development partnership groups, or other key public or private sector individuals, among others.
Applicants should:
a. Have a professional and academic background that facilitate inter- and intra-country based development, such as foreign direct investment, trade, exports, supply chain linkages, shared technology, etc.
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b. Be able to allocate resources, propose and adopt key policies, and/or possess the necessary connections to make identified priorities and actions possible within their country and in collaboration with other countries.
c. Be fluent in English.
d. Have a valid visa (if necessary) to enter Canada.
e. Be able to provide visa, passport, and other necessary information to complete travel procedures.
Participation is expected from at least 50 delegates from the Americas. Participation from other regions is also expected.
Kindly note that the program will be available for selected participants only, and the nomination is not transferable.
4.
General Information on Visits and Projects
An overview of the program is available at www.riacevents.org/ace/canada2016. A detailed itinerary will be available shortly.
The activities will start on Sunday, September 25, 2016 and will end on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
5.
Logistics & Estimated Budget:
Hotels, Transportation and Meals
Total estimated hotel costs for the entire ACE trip from September 25- October 1, 2016 is: $1,200 CAD including taxes ( = USD $917,15). Participants will be responsible for arranging their own hotel reservations and paying for their accommodations at ACE selected hotels. Participants will be responsible for paying for their hotel rooms should they cancel their participation on the tour 30 days prior to the start of the tour. Detailed information on the ACE hotels will be circulated to selected participants.
Selected participants will cover their airfare and the transportation to and from the airport. Please plan on arriving on September 25 to Toronto Pearson International Airport and departing from this same airport in Toronto on October 1. The program organizers will arrange local transportation throughout the program. This means transportation by bus from site to site and between different cities. Kindly note that in order to be confirmed to the activity, participants need to provide a proof of airfare reservation to the organizers.
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Most of the meals are provided by the organizers but participants will cover other meals and miscellaneous items. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions and/or allergies in your application so we can do our best to accommodate meal preferences whenever possible.
6.
Dress Code
Business or business casual, depending on the site visits scheduled for the day. Detailed information will be included in the agenda and the weather forecast and tips will be sent to selected participants closer to the activity. Please note that weather and temperatures can be highly variable in late September in Southern Ontario and you should consider bringing one warm coat.
7.
Financial Support
Partial economic assistance may be available for qualifying selected candidates from the Americas who request support, particularly those from smaller economies.
In order to be considered for partial financial support, 1) please complete the application form and 2) provide an additional brief letter requesting assistance. The letter should be addressed to the Organizing Committee of the
6th Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship and sent to Adriana Bonilla at
abonilla@oas.org and Stefanie Haefele at stefanie.haefele@canada.ca
8. Electricity
Electric power is standardized across Canada. It is set at 110 Volts and 60 cycles. Standard electric plugs have two flat vertical blades. The plugs on some newer appliances have a third round grounding pin. Almost all homes and commercial buildings are equipped with electrical receptacles that can accommodate either type of plug.
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9. Language
The activities of the 6th ACE will be carried out in English.
10. Visa
Information about Visa requirements can be found at the following link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/
11. Application Form
THE APPLICATION FORM CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE:
http://www.riacevents.org/ace/canada2016/Aplication-Form.pdf
If the link does not open, please copy and paste the entire URL into your browser's address bar and press Enter. Deadline to apply: Friday, July 22, 2016
12. Contact information
Adriana Bonilla
Americas Competitiveness Forum & ACE Coordinator Department of Economic Development
Executive Secretariat for Integral Development Organization of American States
RIAC Technical Secretariat
abonilla@oas.org
Stefanie Haefele
Policy Advisor
Strategic Policy Sector,
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
