We’ve just wrapped up the 2025 BIA Conference!
The 2026 Annual BIA Conference will take place
April 19-22, 2026
Mar30
Program & Schedule
The 2025 BIA Conference, presented by Bell, was hosted by the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) and the Collingwood Downtown BIA. The conference took place from March 30 to April 2, 2025, at the Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre in The Blue Mountains, Ontario.
Click the link below to view the 2025 BIA Conference Program.
Presentations from previous years can be reviewed by selecting the year below.
2025 OBIAA Conference Delegate Information
The BIA Conference Registration Desk is located in the Atrium.
At the Registration Desk, you will be able to register, pick up your name badge and Delegate Program (a guide to the conference). Our partners, TicketPro, are once again handling our Conference Registration Desk.
Pre-registration for Sunday Social events and Mobiles is strongly encouraged. However, registration for these events will also be available in-person at the Registration Desk while supplies last.
Sunday, March 30 : | 12:00pm – 6:00pm |
Monday, March 31: | 7:30am – 4:30pm |
Tuesday, April 1: | 7:30am – 4:30pm |
Wednesday, May 2: | 8:00am – 1:00pm |
Conference Meals
A buffet serving style will be used for all Conference meals (other than the Gala Dinner) and food will be served in the Huron Grand Ballroom.
Your name badge must be worn at all times as there may be another group at the Convention Centre over the same dates and serving staff may question which group you are with. There is an Awards Gala Banquet ticket included in your “Full” registration package and you must bring the ticket to the Awards Gala to enter.
Included in your “Full” Conference Registration are the following:
Sunday: Tradeshow Reception at The Courts.
Monday: Breakfast, Lunch, Refreshment Breaks at The Courts. Dinner at Huron Grand Ballroom.
Tuesday: Breakfast, Lunch & Refreshment Breaks – dinner will be on your own.
Wednesday: Breakfast, Refreshment & Lunch at Huron Grand Ballroom.
OBIAA aims to provide an interactive Conference which will give delegates hands-on tips, tools, and data to support community building contributing to the success of their area. This year, there are three (3) different mobile sessions. You will have the opportunity to get out and see (3) BIAs in the surrounding area.
Keep in mind that you will be travelling via bus and/or on foot – wear comfortable walking shoes and bring an umbrella as these tours will go rain or shine.
NOTE: There will be sign-up sheets available at the Registration Desk. Space is limited for the mobiles.
MOBILE #1: Creemore BIA Tuesday, April 1 9:00am – 11:30am | MOBILE #2: Thornbury BIA Tuesday, April 1 2:00pm-4:30pm | MOBILE #3: Collingwood Downtown BIA Wednesday, April 2 9:30am-12:30pm |
Again, this year we welcome Trade Show Exhibitors to the Conference. These Exhibitors are one of the reasons that we can offer your Conference at a reasonable price. They also provide a number of important elements to your Conference experience through education, creativity, and product availability. Take advantage of the 2 1/2 days to meet the Trade Show Exhibitors and learn about their unique offerings.
We thank our Trade Show Exhibitors for their continued support of the 2025 BIA Conference.
Trade Show hours are:
Sunday March 30: 4:30pm – 6:00pm.
Monday March 31: 8:30am – 4:30pm.
Tuesday April 1: 8:30am – 3:45pm.
Wherever possible, there has been an effort to reduce the amount of paper. All presentations will be placed on the OBIAA Conference website after the Conference for your interest. Please help us minimize our “carbon footprint” by minimizing paper materials and waste.
Located just 90 minutes north-west of Ontario’s capital city, Toronto, getting to the Blue Mountain Village is easy. Located off of Highway 26 on Blue Mountain Road, 11 kilometers (7 miles) west of Collingwood and 11 km (7 miles) east of Thornbury. Pearson International Airport is the closest major airport.
GO Transit
To plan your trip via GO Transit, please visit https://www.gotransit.com
Fares are calculated based on type and length of trip. For more information, visit https://www.gotransit.com/en/ways-to-pay/fare-information.
Cars
Blue Mountain Village is located at Lat: 44.507581, Long: -80.316120. Blue Mountain Village.
Shuttle Bus
Flixbus is available for direct transportation from Union Station to Blue Mountain Village. Trips are available daily.
Taxis
The hotel concierge will be happy to arrange a taxi for you. You can also call directly at the numbers provided below.
TAXI COMPANY | WEBSITE | PHONE NUMBER |
ACE Cabs | ||
Central Taxi | 705 526-2626 |
Collingwood Public Transit
Public transit routes are available to and from Collingwood with connections to Wasaga Beach. A PDF of the full bus schedule can be found here or on the Collingwood.ca website.
A public transit route is available to and from Owen Sound as well as through Grey County. Full bus schedule is available on the Grey County website.
Reservations in advance required, see routes and times at Drivers Seat.
Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre
Blue Mountain Inn Guests: Complimentary outdoor parking.
Village and Mosaic Guests: Underground Self-Parking Fee is $20.00 plus HST per day, per vehicle.
Sign up for a timeslot at the Registration Desk. Photos will be taken on Monday, March 31 in the Atrium.
Pre-Conference Tour: Collingwood Downtown Historic Walking Tour
Sunday, March 30th – 1:00pm – 3:00pm
At Collingwood Museum, 45 St Paul St, Collingwood, ON L9Y 3P1
Join Collingwood Museum staff and the Collingwood Heritage Committee members for a tour of downtown’s designated heritage district, the only one federally recognized as a ‘Historic Place.’ Discover how the railway and shipping industries shape the district’s history, including the shipyard that operated until 1986. Learn how preserving this heritage district is vital to the ongoing vibrancy of the BIA. Transportation is not included.
Pre-Conference Tour: Craft Beverage Tour
Sunday, March 30th – 1:00pm – 3:30pm
At Side Launch Brewing Company, 200 Mountain Road Unit 1, Collingwood, ON, L9Y 4V5
Collingwood is quickly becoming Ontario’s Craft Beverage Capital, and we invite you to explore and celebrate why. Join a guided tour to experience the craft of local brewers and distillers, where you’ll tap, taste, and celebrate their expertly crafted offerings. This journey follows in the footsteps of Collingwood’s rich brewing and distilling history dating back to the 1800s. Transportation is not included.
Price: $75.00 (plus taxes and fees)
Taste and Toast Tour of Downtown Collingwood’s Culinary Favorite
Sunday, March 30th — 6:30pm – 9:00pm
At Collingwood Town Hall, 97 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, ON, L9Y 3Z5.
Join us in historic Downtown Collingwood for a taste and toast of the best of our culinary flavours and beverage created by talented local chefs and artisans – a guided tour to sample the varied restaurant offerings.
Price: $80++ per person (includes all taxes & fees, transportation included).
Taste and Toast Tour of Downtown Collingwood’s Culinary Favorite
Sunday, March 30th — 6:30pm – 9:00pm
At Collingwood Town Hall, 97 Hurontario Street, Collingwood, ON, L9Y 3Z5.
Join us in historic Downtown Collingwood for a taste and toast of the best of our culinary flavours and beverage created by talented local chefs and artisans – a guided tour to sample the varied restaurant offerings.
Price: $80++ per person (includes all taxes & fees, transportation included).
We will have two (2) Hospitality Suites for 2025.
Sunday, March 30th — 9:00pm – 12:00am
Monday, March 31st — 9:00pm – 12:00am
We will have the Hospitality Suites for 2025, in the Mosaic Townhomes (Room TBA) on 30th March 2025 and Algonquin Room at BMCC on 31st March 2025.
Each wristband provides unlimited drinks (beer & wine) for both nights. Wristbands can also be purchased on-site at Conference. Those who prefer not to drink can still attend the hospitality suite to network and your access is free of charge.
Price: $35 for wristband for both nights, or $20 per night (plus taxes & fees).
Monday, March 31st — 5:30pm–9:00pm
Join us in celebrating the best that BIAs have to offer at our Awards Gala and Cocktail Hour! The Cocktail Hour begins at The Atrium from 5:30pm, followed by the Gala Dinner in the Huron Grand Ballroom from 6:30 to 9:00pm. The theme this year is “Illuminating success: Your Night to Shine.”
Attire: Formal or semi-formal attire is encouraged. BIAs are champions of their communities and so we encourage you to dress in colours that represent your BIA and/or municipality.
Night on the Town
Tuesday, April 1st — 6:00pm – 11:00pm
At Black Bellows Brewery, 40 Simcoe St, Collingwood, ON L9Y 1H6
Dinner on your own in Downtown Collingwood.
Shuttled transportation is included, and a list of local restaurant suggestions will be provided.
Haunted Walking Tour
Tuesday, April 1st — 7:30pm – 8:45pm
At Start at Black Bellows Brewery, 40 Simcoe St, Collingwood, ON L9Y 1H6
Join guest host Dean Hollin for a spook-tacular journey through Collingwood’s Heritage Conservation District, where you’ll hear chilling tales of ghostly encounters. Experience the eerie scent of cigar smoke and phantom footsteps in the former Enterprise Bulletin building, apparitions in a doctor’s house, Ontario’s oldest unsolved murder, and other mysterious sightings.
Price: $10.00 (includes taxes and fees)
The Wrap Party at Black Bellows Brew Pub (Hospitality Lounge)
Tuesday, April 1st — 7:30pm – 11:00pm
At Black Bellows Brewery, 40 Simcoe St, Collingwood, ON L9Y 1H6
Finish up the evening with your OBIAA colleagues in The Parlor in Black Bellows Brew Pub, showcasing a unique and award-winning repurposing of a building that historically was a carriage shop in the 1800s and until recently an auto body repair shop. There will be Cash Bar.
We invite you to bring samples of promotional information from your BIA or some examples of your creative and innovative work for a table that will be set up near the Registration desk. Bring plenty! These tables will be located opposite the Registration Desk.
Is this your first time attending the BIA Conference? Are you looking for someone to show you the ropes? Take advantage of our Buddy Program! If you would like to be paired up with one of our Conference “veterans” please reach out to [email protected] to start the process! Alternatively, if you are a veteran and interested in helping out someone who is attending the Conference for the first time, we are also looking for volunteers!
To help keep everyone safe, OBIAA will again be implementing our Safety Plan outlining current regulations and best practices that will be implemented at the Conference. Masks are no longer mandatory but please feel free to wear one if it makes you more comfortable.
This year we will again be using a handy sticker system to indicate your level of comfort when interacting with other delegates. Simply find the sticker that matches your comfort level at the Registration Desk and stick it on your delegate badge!
More information coming soon!
Did you know that we offer online session evaluations? Access it by clicking here or scan the QR code below:
First-time attendees will be able to find star stickers at registration to help board and committee members identify and welcome them. New delegates can seek assistance at the registration desk or from any team member present at the venue.