Dear Members,
We, the Board and staff of the Barrhaven BIA, continue to work hard to serve our members from this great business community in Barrhaven. I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to each of the current Board members and to those who help contribute to our committees day in and day out, who gave of their time and skills in serving our members this past year. All volunteer both their time and effort!
Our Board participated in a comprehensive strategic planning exercise in early February. We revisited our current organizational vision, mission, goals and strategic objectives, and developed a revised direction for the organization. A strategic plan helped the BBIA to redefine its organizational vision and function in order to be more responsive and accountable to its members and the community. Following the strategic planning process, we have started to use the reported directives to create a comprehensive marketing and communications campaign to showcase Barrhaven and all that it has to offer.
This was a very busy year to say the least! Our Marketing committee worked to create new initiatives for local businesses while continuing with our very popular programs. Our Membership Engagement committee continued to offer the extremely popular Breakfast for Businesses series as well as adding in a Trade Show component and smaller Business-to-Business workshops. We will also work again with the City of Ottawa to run a weekly graffiti patrol and removal program that continues to net positive results. We created our Ambassadors program to foster enhanced communication with our local malls and have recognized key individuals who have greatly helped in passing along our messages to their colleagues.
Going forward in 2019, we have decided to combine the Marketing and Membership Engagement committees into one Marketing/Membership Committee as much of the work each of them do overlap. Having one committee will streamline efforts and allow us more capacity to introduce new programs and initiatives for businesses to participate in and leverage for your own business. One, more efficient committee will also enable us to provide enhancements to and better service for, our existing programs.
The Barrhaven BIA fosters healthy partnerships with many organizations; Ottawa Board of Trade, Ontario Business Improvement Area Association and, of course, the other Ottawa area BIAs through Ottawa Council of BIAs (OCOBIA). Following the dissolution of the City’s Business Advisory Committee in 2012, OCOBIA was formed to represent all BIAs and serve as a mechanism to liaise with City Council and staff on issues impacting businesses in Ottawa. Ottawa currently has 19 BIAs, covering urban, suburban and rural areas of the City. Collectively, Ottawa’s BIAs represent over 8000 businesses and more than 25% of jobs in the City. The BIAs in Ottawa employ people in more than 20 different employment sectors. There is strength in numbers and we are proud to continue to work with these fantastic organizations on your behalf.
We look forward to the continued growth of our business community with some exciting new changes, new faces and new challenges for 2019. The level of opportunity, the strength of this community and the business within it help re-affirm that we are very fortunate to be here in Barrhaven. Wishing you the very best for 2019. Happy holidays!
Jason MacDonald
Barrhaven BIA Chair
Owner, MacDonald Moussa Team
Remax Hallmark Realty Group