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Annual Meeting Update: GWI Tracks 755 Firms that Expanded
or Located in Region during 2003  

May 27, 2004; Washington , DC – At its Annual Meeting on May 27, Greater Washington Initiative ( GWI ), the region’s economic development marketing organization, reported on recent accomplishments, released the Regional Report 2004, launched a reorganized, redesigned website and announced a new European-based business development representative.

A total of 755 firms expanded or located in Greater Washington during 2003, according to GWI ’s analysis. This total is up from 675 expansions or locations in 2002; the data is the result of an annual survey of economic development officials representing 20+ political jurisdictions across Northern Virginia , Suburban Maryland and the District. Of the 755 firms, GWI had contact with 186 (25%).

Through GWI outreach thus far in 2004, the organization has identified and directly helped six companies locate in the region.

“As GWI outlines in our 2004 Regional Report, Greater Washington was the only major metro region in the country with positive job growth in both 2002 and 2003,” said Thomas Morr , Managing Partner, GWI . “Thanks to our high-quality workforce and proximity to the federal government, Greater Washington is a good fit for many companies. GWI looks forward to continuing to provide complimentary data and assistance to increasing numbers of firms looking for new business opportunities in our market.”

The Initiative’s ongoing marketing, research and business development work over the past few years has helped broaden perceptions about the Greater Washington region. A perception study conducted by GWI earlier this year revealed that 62% of American business executives think the region is a good place to do business, up from 55% reported in a similar survey conducted by GWI in 2002.

The perception study is just one of numerous projects conducted by the economic development marketing affiliate of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, which recently launched its current five-year operating cycle (to run through 2008). At the May 27 meeting, Morr reported on activities conducted by the Initiative since January 2004 and compared the results to the previous five-year cycle (1999-2003).

Measurable results of the past five years include:

- 61 GWI -announced company locates/expansions
- 380 prospects served
- 65 marketing missions conducted
- 167 delegations hosted / presentations given
- 481 media assists provided
- 250,000 pieces of mail issued
- $2.4 million advertising campaign conducted

Additionally, GWI ’s records indicate that the organization has in some way assisted or “touched” just over 25% all company locations or expansions in the region over the past five years.

GWI also announced today that Stephen Johnson will provide business development and public relations services for the organization in the U.K. and Europe . Johnson is a senior international public relations professional with experience at Hill and Knowlton and Burson Marsteller. A member of the Public Relations Global Network, he also serves as a contributing writer for Potomac Tech Wire, European Tech Wire and Thames Tech Wire. He also is a consultant for HireStrategy, a full-service professional staffing firm with offices in Reston , Virginia , Washington , DC and New York City . 

A major source of regional demographic and economic information, GWI unveiled its revised website ( www.greaterwashington.org) at today’s meeting and distributed the organization’s signature annual publication, the Greater Washington Regional Report. In 2003, an average of 43,000+ unique visitors logged onto GWI ’s site; the Regional Report 2003 was downloaded more than 7,100 times.

Copies of both the Regional Report 2004 and the recently released Business of Government supplement to Washington Flyer Magazine (May/June issue) are available.

Online download: www.greaterwashington.org

Printed copies: greaterwashingtoninitiative@bot.org or 202-857-5999

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The Greater Washington Initiative ( GWI ) is the non-profit, regional economic development marketing organization that promotes the Greater Washington region – Northern Virginia , Suburban Maryland and the District of Columbia – as a premier business location to domestic and international markets. By providing complimentary and confidential services and research, GWI assists corporate clients and site selection consultants interested in locating or expanding a business. For more information, visit www.greaterwashington.org. GWI is an affiliate of the Greater Washington Board of Trade (BOT). For more information, visit www.bot.org.


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(202) 857-5999