WOW! This past year has marked some pretty spectacular milestones. Our Downtown BIA turned 50. We launched a Pet-Friendly campaign. We saw the return of events and initiatives that were truly successful. And we can’t wait to see what’s to come in 2024. And with that… It’s a wrap! Here is our 2023 year in review.
In no particular order… this is what we’ve been up to.
🌟 Welcomed an (almost) entire new BIA Board of Directors
🌟 Launched Pet-Friendly Downtown Stratford
🎂 Turned 50 in August
🌟 Threw a huge party “Family Fair in the Square” to celebrate, with the help of our friends at Stratford Festival
🌟 Launched a Public Art Plan – and started with the bench beside Shopper’s Drug Mart
🌟 Celebrated our website turning six months old with a contest for $1000 Downtown Dollars
🌟 Welcomed back the 10 BUCKS BACK program
🌟 Sold a remarkable amount of Downtown Dollars (yay – shop local)
🌟 Welcomed back Winter Wander-land and the Shop & Dine Guide for another year (with RECORD NUMBERS in attendance and participation)
🌟 Saw the return of Santa Claus & Victorian Carollers to our Downtown
🌟 Hosted our first Sidewalk Sale in 15 years (with more to come)
🌟 BIA welcomed and met with the NEW City Counsellors of 2022-2026
🌟 Got nominated for Business Excellence Awards – Nonprofit/Charitable category
🌟 Headed to the 2023 OBIAA Conference in London, Ontario
🌟 FOR MEMBERS: Introduction of the BIA Coffee Club, return of Car Free Fridays with the addition of the Commuters Cup Challenge