BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION AWARDS Presented by OBIAA and TABIA Media Release Highlights 2008 Winners | 2009 Rules, Guidelines & Application Form The Ontario BIA Association (OBIAA) and the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) recognize the best that Business Improvement Association revitalization and management has to offer. Consultants, practitioners, communities and organizations involved in all aspects of BIA renewal are invited to submit case studies that showcase innovation and vision that has made a difference. Within the five categories that cover all aspects of management, development, marketing and communication, the BIA Achievement Awards celebrate and communicate the most successful and innovative efforts in Ontario BIA development. As an award recipient you, your organization or client, and your community will receive acknowledgement and recognition by your peers at the BIA Achievement Awards Presentation. As a member of this select group you will also receive a BIA Achievement Awards plaque and a copy of the photos taken with your team at the presentation of the awards. ELIGIBILITY OBIAA and TABIA members and others are invited to submit projects for consideration. The submitting organization must have played a key role in the achievement of the project, its implementation, and its results. Given the vital role partnerships play in many successful efforts, we urge you to identify all participants in your submittal. Projects must be 90-95% complete to be eligible for consideration. In a multi-phase project, completion of a major phase of the project is necessary for entry. JUDGING Submissions will be judged on the following criteria: Innovation — Does the project or program offer an innovative or unique approach to a BIA management or development challenge? Replication — Does the entry present a solution, process or idea that others could modify for their BIA circumstances? Representation — Is the project or program inclusive? Were partnerships employed to get the job done? Was the community involved in the effort? Outcome — Was the impact of the effort significant? How was it measured? Was it compared to an initial goal? Were the goals and objectives reached? A jury will choose winners based on the individual merit of an entry. While project budgets and community size will be noted, the jury members will foremost be seeking to recognize those submissions that have best exemplified the four elements noted in the judging criteria. The decisions of the jury are final. The jury reserves the right to move winning submissions to more appropriate categories, if necessary, or to decline to make an award in any particular category. Jury members are appointed by the OBIAA/TABIA Boards and represent a broad cross-section of Ontario BIA's. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS The awards will be presented at the Annual BIA Conference and all winners are encouraged to attend. A multimedia presentation highlighting the winners will be shown at the awards luncheon. AWARD DIVISIONS Awards will be presented to entries from two divisions: 1. BIA's with budgets less than $200,000 2. BIA's with budgets more than $200,001 AWARD CATEGORIES 1. Marketing and Communications Entries should focus on programs that improved the image and vitality of a BIA. Competitive projects include plans or strategies that use print, electronic media, or multi-media efforts to promote a BIA. 2. Market Analysis and Business Opportunities Development Award Competitive entries should present how the BIA 1)researched downtown market intelligence, 2) identified key business opportunities and 3) successfully attracted/recruited new businesses. 3. Organization Communications Submissions should focus on programs that communicate the vision, mission, function and achievements of the BIA. Examples include websites, annual reports, brochures and other means of building organizational awareness, commitment and support. 4. Social Issues Entries should describe projects or programs that have successfully addressed particular social issues or concerns of the BIA and the community. Programs or projects that deal with homelessness, youth, seniors, immigrants, persons with disabilities and others would be reviewed under this category. 5. Special Events and Promotions Competitive entries should present a promotion or special event with an original theme that promotes a positive image of the BIA. The promotion or event may focus on efforts that assist in organizational development, retail development, or may celebrate local history and culture. 6. Building Rehabilitation and Conservation Entries should exemplify excellence in the comprehensive rehabilitation of a single building (public or private) in a BIA. Projects can include interior and/or exterior building rehabilitation, including roofs, and should enhance the BIA's appearance and function as well as encouraging other rehabilitations. 7. Smart Growth Project This award recognizes a project that exemplifies the principles of smart growth in BIA's. This could include adaptive reuse of a building, preservation of open space, public transportation initiative, or improving pedestrian accessibility. 8. "Bricks and Mortar" Project Award In order to promote the BIA revitalization by the development community, the "Bricks and Mortar" Project Award has been created. It is the objective of this award to publicly recognize successful projects constructed by private developers in Ontario and to encourage cooperation between BIA's and private developers. 9. The Green Award This award recognizes a project that exemplifies the principles of energy and environmental conservation in a BIA district. This could include energy efficient technologies, renewable energy, awareness and education and waste reduction. 10. Alex Ling - Lifetime Achievement Award Recognizes individuals who selflessly contribute to strengthening and promoting BIA initiatives while embracing the philosophy and mission statements of Business Improvement Areas. The program is open to projects of all classifications, commercial, industrial or residential. They may include developments such as mixed use projects, adaptive reuse of a structure, an urban infill development or other commercial or residential projects.