2020 Annual BIA Conference
CANCELLED
More Info
2021
COVID-19 Update
The year 2020 will be recorded in the history books as a year to remember. Not only will it be remembered as the year of the pause (shut-down) but it will also be remembered as the 50th anniversary of BIAs!
It is however with regret, the OBIAA Board of Directors, in consultation with our legal council, have made a decision to cancel the 2020 BIA Conference.
While this was a difficult decision, it was prudent based on the current provincial restrictions on gatherings.
The good news is our 2021 Conference will not only celebrate 50+ years of collective accomplishments but be an opportunity to celebrate new beginnings and share successes as we emerge from a dark time in the history of BIAs.
Based on the decision to cancel the 2020 BIA Conference, here are your options:
Option One: Leave your registration and payment to be put towards the 2021 Conference Registration. In this case, your registration will be honoured at the 2020 pricing. As an added bonus you will have the ability in 2021 to add additional registrations at the 2020 rate!
If you would like to proceed with Option One, thank you, you need do nothing more.
If you have registered, but we have not received your cheque payment, you must pay in full before August 31, 2020 in order to have 2020 pricing honoured for 2021. If we do not receive payment by August 31, 2020, your registration will be cancelled.
Option Two: Cancel your registration and request a refund. In this case, there will be a $1.50 Ticketpro fee applied, OBIAA will not charge any admin fee for refunds. If you need to proceed with Option Two, please send your refund requests to ontadmin@ticketpro.ca by August 31, 2020.
The OBIAA Board invites you to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the BIA Legislation at the 2021 BIA Conference, which will be held April 18 to 21, 2021, in Hamilton ON and hosted by the City of Hamilton and Hamilton’s BIAs. Calls for a 2021 Conference Committee will be forthcoming.
We thank the 2020 BIA Conference Committee for all your work and help.
2020 BIA Conference | CANCELLED
Why should you attend the BIA Conference?
The OBIAA BIA Conference is an annual training opportunity available to BIA management, with keynote speakers, leadership training, and endless opportunities for professional development, networking, and growth.
All meals – 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Awards Dinner, and 5 refreshment breaks
All sessions, except the Professional Development Session
4 streams of education based on the pillars of downtown revitalization – Leadership + Management, Economic Development, Physical Improvements, Marketing + Promotions
3 full days of sessions
High value speakers and content including industry subject matter expert keynote speakers
3 Hospitality Suites
Mobile Tours of Local BIAs!
Awards presentation and sessions – High value, learn what your peers did to win and how you can do it too!
2 ½ days of Trade Show – Enjoy face-to-face time with more than 20 Trade Show Exhibitors
Trade Show Opening Reception
Greetings from Municipal, Provincial, and Federal staff
Networking Opportunities. This is the one time of year when BIA Staff, Board Members, and Municipal Staff get together!
Block pricing for hotel
Additional Professional Development Session(s) – cost additional
Pre-Conference tours – cost additional
OBIAA offers a group rate!
Different speakers each year
With four streams (pillars) of education, each BIA needs to consider sending more than one person to be able to attend as many sessions as possible.
Board members have a dedicated session where they can network and learn governance best practices.
Download “Why You Should Attend the BIA Conference” and share it with your board members
John Kiru | Conference Chair | TABIA
Alicia Vianga | Corso Italia BIA
Bethea Summers | Pembroke BIA
Connor Pierce | Regal Heights Village BIA
Dominic Cobran | Leslieville BIA
Frank Paul | Toronto Entertainment District BIA
Karen McNeilly | Pape Village BIA
Kerry Jarvi | Downtown Hamilton BIA
Liz Behrens | Volunteer
Mackenzie Keast | Yonge & St. Clair BIA
Mary Fragedakis | GreekTown on the Danforth BIA
Riley Lee | TABIA
Sue Mingle | Fallsview BIA
Tracy Kish | Pape Village BIA
For Additional Information
If you require any further information, please contact OBIAA at 1-866-807-2227 or via email.