To LDBA Members, City Council, City Staff, and Partners,
The second quarter of 2023 has brought many exciting events, promotions, and programming to our downtown! We are pleased to be able to report back and highlight some of the outcomes with you.
2023 Ontario Business Improvement Area Association Conference
Downtown London hosted this year’s OBIAA conference from April 16-19 at RBC Place. Approximately 300 people attended the conference from across the province, and toured our downtown, as well as the other London BIAs. We provided each attendee with a Downtown Gift Card to spend while they toured and visited many of our fabulous businesses and sights.
Downtown London Award Winner
Downtown London was proud to win the OBIAA Award of Excellence for our 2022 Holiday Window Grant and Contest. Seventy-five downtown businesses participated in the promo, with more than 2,000 participants who voted in our contest to determine our top three holiday window displays! We are very grateful and flattered to be recognized.
LDBA Sponsored Events
This spring featured a variety of engaging events that the LDBA helped sponsor, including:
- April - approx. 8,445 attendees in total - Earthfest, Punk Rock Flea Market, Ting Comic & Graphic Arts Festival, Vintage on the Block
- May - approx. 5,000 attendees in total - Free Comic Book Day, Love Text, Sunfest, Dundas Place Block Party
- June - approx. 35,650 attendees in total - The London Multicultural Festival, Electric Market, London Beer Fest, and the Forest City London Music Awards.
These events are just some of the 60 different downtown events that Downtown London has committed to sponsoring in 2023 through direct financial support ($105,500), DTL Gift Cards ($50,000) and/or DTL in-kind marketing and facilitation support.
LDBA Member Naloxone Training Event - May 17
In partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart (431 Richmond St), DTL provided free naloxone training and naloxone kits were distributed to LDBA members. This event was organized to support businesses in complying with recent provincial legislation changes. As of June 1, 2023 the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) states that businesses in certain circumstances must provide naloxone and training in the workplace. Fifty- three downtown business owners and employees came to the Downtown London office to participate.
