2024 Annual BIA Conference
April 28 to May 1, 2024
Apr28
Registration for the 2023 BIA Conference is now open!
Stay Tuned for Information on the 2024 BIA Conference!
What is the BIA Conference?
The OBIAA BIA Conference is an annual training event geared towards Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) across Ontario and beyond. The Conference features prominent keynote speakers, master workshops, and numerous prospects for enhancing leadership skills, building connections, networking opportunities, and advancing one’s professional development for the future of our main streets.
Why should you attend the BIA Conference?
For our delegates, attending the BIA Conference means stepping away from their busy communities to connect with other Members and Leaders in Ontario to learn and network. It means recharging and returning to their communities ready to make an impact!
2024 Land Acknowledgement
OBIAA acknowledges the lands which constitute the present-day City of Mississauga, and host the 2024 BIA Conference, as being part of the Treaty and Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and The Huron-Wendat and Wyandot Nations. We recognize these peoples and their ancestors as peoples who inhabited these lands since time immemorial. The City of Mississauga is home to many global Indigenous peoples.
Full meals – 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 Awards Dinner, and 3 refreshment breaks
Informative and educational sessions taking place over 3 full days
4 streams of education based on the pillars of downtown revitalization – Leadership & Management, Economic Development, Public Realm, and Marketing & Promotions
High value speakers & content including keynote speakers.
Awards Gala – Recognition of successful and innovative BIA efforts
Mobile Tours of Local BIAs
2.5 days of Trade Show – Enjoy face-to-face connections with over 30 Trade Show Exhibitors
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. You don’t want to miss it!
Block pricing for hotel accommodations
An engaging in-person Conference experience
Pre-Conference tours at an additional cost
OBIAA offers a group rate for registration!
Relevant and informative content covered in each session
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
Salvatore Marchese | Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association | Conference Chair
Amber Pajtasz | Streetsville BIA (Mississauga) | 2024 Conference Host
Bethea Summers | Pembroke BIA
Jeff MacIntyre | Downtown Sudbury BIA
Kelly Ralston | Port Credit BIA (Mississauga)
Kerry Jarvi | City of Woodstock
Mark Tyler | Cooksville BIA (Mississauga)
Nick Crozier | Uptown Saint John BIA
Vicki Smith | Downtown London BIA
Amber Pajtasz | Streetsville BIA | 2024 Conference Host
Kelly Ralston | Port Credit BIA
Mark Tyler | Cooksville BIA
Nadia Richard | Clarkson BIA
Kay Matthews | Executive Director
Erin Douglas | Administrative & Membership Manager
Kennishia Duffus | Event Manager
Alana Marques | Humber Intern – Marketing
Milanpreet Kaur | Humber Intern – Awards
A very special thank-you to Ann Barker and Ticketpro for all the amazing work they do with us every year – we truly couldn’t do it without you!
For Additional Information
If you require any further information, please contact OBIAA at 1-866-807-2227 or via email.