The 2026 Annual BIA Conference will take place
April 19-22, 2026


Apr19
Awards
OBIAA would like to congratulate all of the recipients for 2025 and thank all those communities who submitted their work.

Ellen Timms
Alex Ling Lifetime Achievement Award
Ellen Timms joined the Port Credit BIA as General Manager in 2001. She had previously served on the board and had owned two stores in the East Village, a women’s wear store and children’s wear store. She brought a unique perspective and understanding to the staff role and its dynamics related to the position as someone who had served as a volunteer and was a business owner. During her time with the Port Credit BIA she was a driving force within the community and her creative vision helped shape Port Credit to be the vibrant area it is today. It is said that she was a connector and had the ability to connect with and put together people with divergent opinions to ‘get things done.’
She worked diligently with volunteers, business and property owners, community groups and municipal staff and Councillors to ensure that Port Credit thrived. During her tenure as BIA General Manager she served as a mentor to many, a community builder, a connector and a leader. She retired from her position in Port Credit in 2018 and eventually moved to what was the family’s summer residence in Wasaga Beach where she continues her community involvement.
Congratulations, Ellen!

Angela Smith
Jan Hawley Memorial Pinnacle Award
Angela Smith is a tireless advocate for community engagement and tourism. She has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the Downtown Mural Tour, Illumination Destination, and the Neighbourhood Games program offering free yard games through the library. Her vision brought a decorative fountain with seating to the heart of downtown, inspired by her travels, and led to the creation of community spaces in surrounding hamlets to draw more visitors into town.
Angela also focuses on meaningful, inclusive projects. She involved high school students in painting street murals and creating a touching “Phone Line to Heaven” at the Ball’s Bridge Parkette, complete with a guestbook visited by people from around the world. Her flower-painted parking dividers brought the whole community together, adding charm and character to downtown. Every idea she brings to life leaves a lasting, positive impact on residents and visitors alike.
Congratulations, Angela!

Argyle BIA/ Hamilton Road BIA
A BIA Collaboration:
Managing Safety in our Community
Advocacy & Governance
Award of Merit

Downtown Yonge BIA
Member Engagement Strategy Year 1 Implementation
Advocacy & Governance
Award of Merit

Downtown
London BIA
Downtown London $1.16
Million Health & Homelessness Funding
Advocacy & Governance
Award of Merit
Bracebridge BIA & Town of Bracebridge
Shop the Bridge: Fostering Local Loyalty and Economic Strength
Business Retention, Recruitment, and Expansion
Award of Merit
Town of Minto
Move to Minto Business Attraction Campaign
Business, Retention, Recruitment & Expansion
Award of Excellence

Owen Sound River District
Wheel & Ride Safety Festival and Bike Program
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence

St. Thomas Downtown Development Board
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence

Liberty Village BIA
Love Liberty Restaurant Dining Guidebook & Branding Video
Marketing
Award of Excellence
Clinton & Central Huron BIA
Mural & Flower Street Art Trail
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Merit
Lindsay Downtown BIA
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Merit
Wexford Heights BIA + plazaPOPS
Wexford Blooms 2gether: transforming Wexford parking lots into paradise
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence
Uptown Waterloo BIA
Heart of Uptown / Heritage Green
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Merit
Collingwood Downtown BIA
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence
All 2025 Awards Submissions
Advocacy & Governance
A BIA Collaboration: Managing Safety in our Community
Downtown London $1.16 Million Health & Homelessness Funding
Member Engagement Strategy Year 1 Implementation
Business Retention, Recruitment & Expansion
Shop the Bridge: Fostering Local Loyalty and Economic Strength
Move to Minto Business Attraction Campaign
Communications
Downtown London Event Calendars
Marketing
Downtown London Trails
Downtown Rideau BIA Marketing Program
Love Liberty Restaurant Dining Guidebook & Branding Video
Cruise on College
Table 6ix Podcast
Vanier BIA Rebrand
Operations
BIA Financial Operations Manual
Special Events
Akoustik
Albion Islington Art Festival
Pumpkin Pop Up Event 2024
Downtown London DTFH
Whoville on High Street
Kemptville Buskerfest
Glebe Spree 2023 – Glebe BIA
Neighbourhood Tours
Uptown Sparkles
Wheel & Ride Safety Festival and Bike Program
Downtown Oktoberfest
Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Gateway Art Project – ‘Saga’
Mural & Flower Street Art Trail
Lighting Up Downtown
Universal Hello
Community Safety CCTV Project
The AR Laneway Project
Heart of Uptown / Heritage Green
Wexford Blooms 2gether: transforming Wexford parking lots into paradise



















