2024 Professional Development Day
EVENT DETAILS
How to be Adaptable & Resilient in Today’s Environment
- The role of BIAs is changing and with life getting complicated, how do you get back to basics to advocate for your BIA and be better prepared for your job by managing expectations and building relatonships, especially with your municipality? When every day is a nightmare, how do you use your forces for good? Sometimes you need to say no.
- Hear from Municipalities and industry leaders on how to manage expectations.
- The Gaslight District Tour
- Experience the River Lines, a playing surface that marks the 1974 Grand River flood line and visit Meander – a joyful interactive sculpture inspired by the Grand River and more!
- PRELIMINARY AGENDA:
- 8:30am – Breakfast
- 9:15am – Welcome & Introductions
- 9:30am – Building Your Foundation
- 10:30am – Foundational Relationships
- 12:00pm – Lunch
- 1:00pm – Community Tour of The Gaslight District
- 2:30pm – Shoring up Your Economic Development
- 4:00pm – Shoring up Your Team
- 5:30pm – Event Complete
SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
MAJOR SPONSOR
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Sponsorship Opportunities
EVENT VENUE: TAPESTRY HALL
Address: 74 Grand Ave S, Cambridge, ON N1S 2L9
PARKING
Complimentary Parking is available.
ACCOMMODATIONS
For those requiring accommodations, OBIAA has a group block at the Cambridge Hotel.
Cambridge Ontario Hotel
700 Hespeler Rd, Cambridge, ON N3H 5L8
$134.00 CAD / night. Cut-off Date: Extended to Friday, September 13, 2024!
Our Room Block is now closed! You can still book a room at the Cambridge Hotel however, it will be at their standard guest rates.
TO BOOK BY PHONE, CALL 519-622-1505 or
TO BOOK BY EMAIL, SEND to [email protected]
QUOTE THE FOLLOWING GROUP NAME: “Ontario Business Improvement Association” and provide requested dates.
Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
All rooms will be considered guaranteed 48 hours prior to arrival. Any cancellations within 48 hours and/or “no shows” will be subject to full charges against the credit card provided at the time of reservation.
Check-in time is 3:00pm on the day of arrival and check-out is 11:00am.
THE GASLIGHT DISTRICT
SPEAKERS
Rachel will be presenting a session on how the St. Catharines Downtown Association works closely with local partners to achieve success.
ABOUT RACHEL:
Rachel Braithwaite recently moved into the position of Executive Director for the St. Catharines Downtown Association.
The St. Catharines Downtown Association (SCDA) is a non-profit organization that represents approximately 500 members including commercial property owners, retailers, restaurants, and professional offices in the designated BIA. The mandate of the St. Catharines Downtown Association includes participating in programs aimed at the physical improvement and beautification of the core, as well as the promotion of the Downtown as a great place in which to shop, work, dine, play, meet, live and explore.
Prior to that, she was the Executive Director of the Barton Village BIA for 6 years. She founded the Barton Village Festival in 2015, an annual street festival that celebrates what the Barton community has to offer and brings over 25,000 people to Barton Village. In the last 3 years she welcomed more than 30 new businesses to her BIA. Barton Village BIA, once Hamilton’s Historic Shopping District, is transforming to be Hamilton’s newest Restaurant district with unique and cultural treasures.
Scott will be taking attendees on a tour of The Gaslight District and finishing off the day with a session to help inspire attendees to implement best practices in their communities.
ABOUT SCOTT:
Amanda will be speaking on the BIA as an economic development tool – how to use this “made in Ontario” tool for the betterment of your community.
ABOUT AMANDA:
Amanda has an expansive background in communications, economic development, and community development in private, health care and municipal sectors. Her enthusiasm for community and relationship building drives her innovative approach to her work. Amanda holds an Economic Development certificate from the University of Waterloo and a certificate in Indigenous Studies from the University of Alberta. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Launch Pad Skills Training and Technology Centre in Hanover, Ontario, where she lives with her family.
Kay will be discussing the role of the BIA under the Municipal Act. In this session you will see sample MOUs and explore how your MOU could be foundational.
ABOUT KAY:
Kay Matthews, since 2011, is the Executive Director of the Ontario BIA Association representing 300+ BIAs in Ontario. She has spent 20+ years in BIA management; 10 years in an Urban BIA and 5 years in a Rural BIA. Having worked in the Heritage and Arts sectors in Mississauga for 10 years, this brings her total Community Development experience to more than 30 years.
Kay has overseen three Accessibility Projects for OBIAA, the Investment of BIAs Project and Ontario’s Digital Main Street Grants Project. Kay speaks at various events, facilitates Strategic Planning as well as teaches Governance to BIAs.
Kay additionally has organized and executed large scale events such as the Bread and Honey Festival, Mississauga’s Carassauga and Santa Claus Parades and the annual BIA Conference.
High value speakers and professional development content including industry subject matter expert keynote speakers
A tour of The Gaslight District
A Continental Breakfast and a Hot Lunch
Networking Opportunities
Kerry Jarvi | Chair | City of Woodstock
Liz Behrens | Volunteer
Salvatore Marchese | Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association
Brendan Wetton | International Village BIA (Hamilton)
Nick Crozier | Uptown Saint John BIA
Melissa McFarland | Lindsay Downtown BIA
Jody Yantha | Bancroft BIA
Kay Matthews | OBIAA Executive Director
Erin Douglas | OBIAA Administrative & Membership Manager
Kennishia Duffus | OBIAA Event Manager
For Additional Information
If you require any further information, please contact OBIAA at 1-866-807-2227 or email [email protected]