The 2026 Annual BIA Conference took place
April 19-22, 2026
Apr19
2026 Award Winners
OBIAA would like to congratulate all of the recipients for 2026 and thank all those communities who submitted their work.
Andrea Steenbakkers
Alex Ling Lifetime Achievement Award
Andrea Steenbakkers has served as Executive Director of the Barrhaven BIA since its founding in 2006, playing a pivotal role in shaping one of Canada’s fastest-growing suburban business communities. Over the past 20 years, she has guided the BIA through significant expansion, more than doubling its membership while championing a bold vision for a “city within a city.”
Andrea has been a driving force behind key initiatives that have transformed Barrhaven, including advocacy for local employment opportunities, the attraction of major employers, and the development of the Barrhaven Downtown Master Plan. Her forward-thinking approach has helped redefine what a suburban BIA can be, creating a model that has influenced communities across Ontario.
Beyond Barrhaven, Andrea has made lasting contributions to the broader BIA movement through her leadership with OBIAA, OCOBIA, and national efforts such as the Business Districts of Canada. A passionate and collaborative leader, her impact spans local, provincial, and national levels, leaving a lasting legacy for BIAs and the communities they serve.
Congratulations, Andrea!
Maureen Sirois
Jan Hawley Memorial Pinnacle Award
Maureen Sirois is a lifelong Eglinton West community leader and dedicated advocate for Main Street businesses. As a founding member of The Eglinton Way BIA, she has contributed 32 years of service, including 19 years as Chair, helping shape and strengthen the local business community.
Her leadership extended across Toronto and Ontario through the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), where she served as Director, Secretary, and President (2019–2025). Maureen also co-founded the Eglinton BIA Alliance in 2021, uniting BIAs along the Crosstown corridor to advocate for businesses impacted by construction.
During the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project and the COVID-19 pandemic, Maureen’s extraordinary leadership, innovation, and dedication helped businesses navigate unprecedented challenges and emerge stronger. Her lasting impact is reflected in meaningful support for local businesses, collaborative initiatives, and policy advocacy that continues to shape Main Streets across Ontario.
Congratulations, Maureen!
Advocacy & Governance
Award of Excellence
Operations
Award of Excellence
The Eglinton Way BIA
Award of Merit
Peterborough DBIA – Protecting Our Budget
Award of Merit
Business Retention, Recruitment & Expansion
Award of Excellence
Economic Resilience & Community Building
Award of Excellence
Downtown London BIAAward of Merit
Mount Dennis BIA – Small Green Business Incubator
Award of Merit
CityPlace and Fort York BIA – Community Canvas + Culture Fest
Clinton & Central Huron BIA & Municipality of Central Huron – The Giant Chair Tour: Recycling Tourists to Drive Local Economic Activity
County of Brant & Downtown Paris – The 2025 Downtown Dig
Danforth Mosaic BIA – Warmth of Ethiopia – An Important Piece of Danforth’s Mosaic
Downtown BIA – Metcalfe Plaza
Downtown London BIA – Downtown London Walking Tours
Village of Stouffville Advisory Committee / Town of Stouffville – The Village of Stouffville Pre-Revitalization Work Plan
Special Events
Award of Excellence
Marketing
Award of Excellence
Manotick BIA
Gerrard India Bazaar BIA
Municipality of Huron East
Award of Merit
Downtown Brampton BIA – Brand Refresh 2025
Downtown Kingston BIA – “Find It Here” Campaign
Kingsville BIA – Southwestern Ontario BIAs Small Business Week Cross-Promotion Campaign
Roncesvalles Village BIA – ‘Made in Canada, Found on Roncy’
The Junction BIA – The Junction Journal
Award of Merit
Clinton & Central Huron BIA & Municipality of Central Huron – Around the World in Central Huron
Collingwood Downtown BIA – Collingwood Fashion Week
Downtown Brampton BIA – Party in the Lanes
Downtown Kingston BIA – Spirit of Winter
Downtown London BIA – Popping Up with Downtown London
Peterborough DBIA – Movies at the Park
Creemore BIA – Creemore BIA Summer Solstice
Communications
Award of Excellence
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence
Burlington Downtown BA
Toronto Downtown West BIA
The Deck at Clarence Square: A People-First Public Realm Transformation
Award of Merit
ZAC Vanier BIA – Member Hub & Information Kit
Award of Merit
Bracebridge BIA – Downtown Bracebridge Selfie Wall
Cooksville BIA – Enhancing the Public Realm through CVBIA’s Streetscape Ambassador Program
Downtown Bench Beamsville BIA – Little Free Art Gallery: Everyday Placemaking in Downtown Beamsville
Downtown Simcoe BIA – Let There Be Light!
Southampton BIA & Town of Saugeen Shores – SBIA High Street Revitalization
All Other 2026 Awards Submissions
Advocacy & Governance
Downtown London BIA – Momentum Report
Town of Lincoln – Lincoln Tariff Response Team
Business Retention, Recruitment & Expansion
Liberty Village – Work From Liberty Connecting Work, Community & Local Businesses
Marketing
Cobourg BIA – A Dickens of a Christmas: Turning Social Media Storytelling into a Downtown Experience
Liberty Village – Liberty Village BIA Rebranding & Digital Transformation Project
Pembroke BIA – Downtown Business Reels
Peterborough DBIA – The Boro.ca Phase 2
Streetsville BIA – Repositioning Streetsville Through Strategic, Member-Focused Digital and Place-Based Marketing
Special Events
Cooksville BIA – Taste of Cooksville 2025
Downtown Barrie BIA – Open Air Dunlop – AlleyCats Jam as part of Eats on the Streets
Downtown Yonge BIA – ILLUMINITE 2025: Making Connections
Grimsby BIA – Hoppin’ Around Downtown Easter Event
Grimsby BIA – GrimsBOO! Halloween Event
Rotary Club of Huntsville/Downtown Huntsville BIA – Dockfest 2025
Streetsville BIA – Signature Events Portfolio: Delivering Record Community Impact Through Strategic Growth Under Financial Constraint
Thornbury BIA – WAG-O-WEEN
Waterloo BIA – Magic & Shenanigans
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Centretown BIA – A Window Into Our Neighbourhood
Clinton & Central Huron BIA & Municipality of Central Huron – Celebration Orchard
Downtown Yonge BIA – Take a Break @ Trinity Square