Hamilton to be showcased during Euro trade mission

Hamilton’s Mayor Fred Eisenberger and senior economic development staff are leading a trade mission to France and Germany later this month.

The goal of the European mission from March 11 to 24 is to showcase Hamilton to investors, builders and developers, according to a city news release. The West Harbour, the Airport Employment Growth District, McMaster Innovation Park and the Red Hill Business Park will be the key areas highlighted.

“Our business development staff have been laying the groundwork for this trip for almost three years, following leads, developing relationships and dealing with specific inquiries,” director of economic development Glen Norton said in a media release.

The mission will start in Cannes where the city will be represented at Le marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier. It’s the fourth time Hamilton representatives have attended the real estate exhibition and conference of international property professionals, but the first time Eisenberger will be attending and joining more than 120 mayors at an International Mayor’s Summit.

“We will be highlighting Hamilton’s strong value proposition and using this forum to announce the launch date of the Pier 8 (request for quotation inviting suppliers into a bidding process),” Chris Phillips, the city’s senior economic development adviser, said in a release.

From France, Eisenberger will carry on to Leipzig, Germany to visit Europe’s largest biomedical research institute, Fraunhofer. In 2015, Fraunhofer announced a partnership with McMaster University to open a joint project centre to explore innovative technology-based approaches to cell therapy and immunology. Eisenberger has also scheduled meetings with other companies, including those that have expressed interest in setting up shop in Hamilton.