The 2026 Annual BIA Conference will take place

April 19-22, 2026

in St. Catharines, ON.

  • 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

 

Liberty Village BIA

BIA Financial Operations Manual

Operations
Award of Excellence

Bracebridge BIA & Town of Bracebridge

Shop the Bridge: Fostering Local Loyalty and Economic Strength

Business Retention, Recruitment, and Expansion
Award of Merit

 

ZAC Vanier BIA

Akoustik

Special Events
Award of Merit

 

 

Ancaster BIA

Pumpkin Pop Up Event 2024

Special Events
Award of Merit

 

Town of Minto

Move to Minto Business Attraction Campaign

Business, Retention, Recruitment & Expansion
Award of Excellence

 

 
Albion Islington Square BIA

Albion Islington Art Festival

Special Events
Award of Merit

 

Downtown London BIA

 Downtown London DTFH

Special Events
Award of Merit

Downtown Sutton BIA

 Whoville on High Street

Special Events
Award of Merit

 

 

Old Town Kemptville BIA

Kemptville Buskerfest

 Special Events
Award of Merit


 

The Glebe BIA

Glebe Spree 2023 – Glebe BIA

 Special Events
Award of Merit

Toronto Downtown    West BIA

 Neighbourhood Tours

Communications
Award of Merit

Uptown Saint John Inc

 Uptown Sparkles

Communications
Award of Merit


Owen Sound River District

Wheel & Ride Safety Festival and Bike Program

Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence

St. Thomas Downtown Development Board

Downtown Oktoberfest

Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence

 

Toronto Downtown    West BIA

Table 6ix Podcast

Marketing
Award of Merit

 

ZAC Vanier BIA

Vanier BIA Rebrand

Marketing
Award of Merit

 

Downtown London BIA

Downtown London Trails

Marketing
Award of Excellence

 

Downtown Rideau BIA

Downtown Rideau BIA
Marketing Program

Marketing
Award of Excellence

Liberty Village BIA

Love Liberty Restaurant Dining Guidebook & Branding Video

Marketing
Award of Excellence

Little Italy BIA

Cruise on College

Marketing
Award of Excellence

Downtown London BIA

Downtown London Event Calendars

Communications
Award of Merit

Clinton & Central Huron BIA

Mural & Flower Street Art Trail

Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Merit

Downtown Orillia BIA

Lighting Up Downtown

Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Merit

Lindsay Downtown BIA

Community Safety CCTV Project

Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Merit

 

Gerrard India Bazaar

 Universal Hello

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

Gateway Art Project -‘Saga’

Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence

 

 

The Junction BIA

 The AR Laneway Project

Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements
Award of Excellence

All 2025 Awards Submissions