DRAFT PROGRAM

Tuesday, May 2, 2023    

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.        Tradeshow & Networking Breakfast

8:00 - 8:15 a.m.        Morning Remarks 

8:15 - 9:00 a.m.        Keynote Session

Everything is Going to be Alright
Andrew Ramlo, VP of Advisory Services at rennie

As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same...or do they? Through a humorous and data-driven lens, join Andrew Ramlo, VP of Advisory Services at rennie as he shares some of the emerging economic and demographic trends that will be the focus of the discussions, deliberations, and decisions that will shape BC and its regions in the years to come. 
(Ec. Dev)
 

9:15 - 9:45 a.m.      Plenary Session (Advocacy)
Effective Advocacy to Influence Policy
Kimanda Jones, Owner/Founder, Ascent Public Affairs
 

9:45 - 10:30 a.m.   Plenary Session (Advocacy)

BIABC Advocacy Efforts + Toolkit
Kelly Gleeson, Vice-President, Laura Ballance Media Group

 

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mobile Tours

1. Harbour Tour (on Harbour ferries)

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.    Networking Break 

10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions 

1. Traditional Media vs Social/Digital Communication Styles (Mktg)
    
2. Creating performance Metrics for Membership (Org. Leadership)
   This interactive session will provide you with the ideas, tools and focus points necessary to return to your BIA and start the process of understanding how to gather your members perspective on their needs and wants, and then build a measurement tool that can reflect this to your Board and membership at regular intervals.

   Jeremy Heighton, Executive Director, North Shore BIA (Kamloops)

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.     Best in the West Awards Lunch 

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.       Mobile Tours

1. Signs of Lekwungen Walking Tour (First Nations Tour)
2. Explore Victoria's Oldest Residential Neighbourhood

1:15 - 2:30 p.m.       Breakout Sessions

1. Retail Workshop (Org. Leadership)
   What makes your downtown unique? More importantly what makes your downtown meaningful? This workshop will help you develop ways to elevate your retail stores, restaurants, and other destinations together creating meaningful connections that will elevate a collective return on investment.
   (The workshop will provide a toolkit of ideas and next steps for attendees)

   Molly Alexander, Founder, ITP Consulting

2. Data Driven Advocacy (Advocacy)

   In this session, Jeff and Jeremy will discuss the importance of Data to underscore the importance of what you want to achieve in your BIAs. We will discuss tools techniques to drive participation, and collect results which reinforce the power of your “Why”. Then we will discuss what you can do with your data, to increase credibility, underscore importance and advocate effectively. 

   Jeff Bray, Chief Executive Officer, Downtown Victoria Business Association & Jeremy Heighton, Executive Director, North Shore BIA (Kamloops)

2:30 - 3:00 p.m.       Networking Break/ Tradeshow

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.       Mobile Tour

1. Brewery Tour

3:00 - 4:15 p.m.       Breakout Sessions   

1. Cities and BIAs – Working Together to Build a Better Community (Ec. Dev)

   Relationships with Cities and BIAs require a delicate balance between collaboration and independence. In this session Sarah Candido from the City of Kamloops discusses how the City works to build collaborative relationships with their BIAs and discusses strategies that can enhance the outcomes.
   
   

2. The Importance of Shoulder Season Activations (Mktg)
    

4:15 - 5:00 p.m.       Free Time or Regional Meetings (ballroom)

South of the Fraser, Island, North, Okanagan, North of the Fraser, Alberta

6:00 p.m.                Dine Around - groups depart from the lobby

 

See Monday's Program Details

Registration Information