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ProceedingsofPrescottBIASpecialGeneralMeetingJanuary8,2019“ProgressThroughPartnerships”

Background:

ThisspecialmeetingwasoriginallyplannedtoincludetheselectionoftheBoardofManagementmembersforthe2019-22term.However,asitbecameobviousthatthecurrentBIABy-lawsdated1979and1989wereoutofdateandwouldcreateanultraviressituation,thisgeneralmeetingwaschangedtoincludethevariousannualreports,speakersandnetworking.ThesettingforthisspecialgeneralmeetingwastheColonel’sInn,EastStreet,Prescott–theowners,MikeandCarlaHudsonhavinggenerouslydonatedthespace.

1. RegistrationEachattendeewasregisteredbyVice-chairDonnaWhiteandpresentwere:

a) BoardofManagementoftheBIA:CouncillorLeanneBurton,SandraLawn,RobertMillar,DaveStevens,MayorBrettTodd,PearlVisser,DonnaWhiteandTraceyYoungandCo-ordinatorDeronJohnston.

b) MembersoftheBIA,partnersandparticipants:MatthewArmstrong,CAO,KevinBunch,AndreaDerochie,RalphFrank,HillaryGeneau,DanGilpin,LucGosselin,ChantalGravel,JohnHarding,WendyHennessey,CarlaHudson,MichaelHudson,CouncillorTeresaJansman,JeannetteJohnston,JulieLarose,HeatherLawless,PatLemaire,FrankLi,JudyLi,WayneLowrie(BrockvilleRecorder),CouncillorLeeMcConnell,SueO’Hanlon,CouncillorMikeOstrander,RodPalmer,BonnieGommert-Pidgeon,LibbyPilon.JamesRichardson,JuanSanchez,DaveSpeck,SherrySpring,JoySterritt,LisaTemple,ChristineThompson,PeterThompsonandRobThompson.

c) Regrets:RegretsfromdirectorsKarenBurman-MartinandScottHubbardandtheTown’sTourismandRecreationCo-ordinator:KatieForesterandtheTown’sEconomicDevelopmentOfficer:DanaVallentine.

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2. NetworkingandrefreshmentsWithsuchafullhouseanddeliciousrefreshmentsbyWendyHennesseyofCrazyBowlsthiswasasuccessfulpartofthemeeting.[Facetofacecommunicationtrumpselectroniccommunicationseverytime]

3. WelcomeandOpeningRemarks:

Eachattendeeintroducedthemselvesaslistedabove.SandraLawn,chairoftheBIAboardofmanagementwelcomedeveryonetothemeetingandemphasizedtheimportanceofthemeeting’stheme–“ProgressthroughPartnerships.”Theminutesfromthe2018AGMweredistributedandtableduntilthenextgeneralmeeting-oncetheTown’snewby-lawhasbeenpassed.

4.AnnualReportsandRemarks4.1 BoardofManagement:BIAChairSandraLawnreportedasfollows:

TheBIAStrategicPlanofActionVision:

� Undertheoverridingprinciplesofcommunicationandcoordination,linkagesandfocus,ourhistoricdowntownwillbeasignificantplacewherepeoplevisit,work,shop,recreateandliveinanextraordinarywaterfrontsetting.

MandateoftheBIA:� TotakeBoldStepsForwardtofocusonDowntownPrescottfortheencouragementof

thelocalandregionaleconomyandqualityoflifethroughacombinationof� ManagementandLeadership� MarketingandPromotions� PhysicalImprovementsand� EconomicDevelopment

YearinReview

LeadershipandManagement• 2018Boardmembers:LeanneBurton(Councillor),ScottHubbard,SandraLawn,Karen

Burman-Martin,RobMillar,DaveStevens,BrettTodd(Mayor),DonnaWhiteandTraceyYoung.

• Coordinator:DeronJohnstonengagedasofSeptember1,2017;continuinguntilJanuary31,2019;20hoursperweek,hisofficehasbeencourtesyofOldeMagique

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• Executive:o Chair:SandraLawno Vice-chair:DonnaWhiteo Treasurer:TraceyYoung

RecordingSecretary-DeronJohnston• CurrentProceduralBy-law1.2018“PoliciesandProcedures

RelatingtoGovernanceandDecisionMaking”wasamendedduring2018.

• GovernancesessionwithKayMatthewsofOBIAwasorganizedbytheTownonFebruary28,2018–BIA’sshould:

o Representsustainabledevelopment,makingthebestuseofourexistinginfrastructureandcreatingcompactcommunitiesthatencouragewalking,cyclingandtransituse

o Havehistoricconnectionstotheoriginsofthecommunityo Havesymbolicsignificanceasthecentreofciviclifeo Areacentralhubforfestivalsandcelebrationso Reflectapositiveimageoftheentiretowno Provideopportunitiesforlocalandincubatorbusinesseso Offeranexperiencenotfoundinnewmalls,plazaso SomeBIAsinOntarioaretourismdistricts,financialdistricts,industrial

andrepurposedmanufacturingareas.NotallBIAsarelocatedindowntown(s).

o “Downtownmatters.”Itmatterstotheoverallhealthofthecityortown.Researchandtheliteratureconsistentlyreportontheconnectionbetweenahealthydowntownandahealthytownorcity.”

• Regularmonthlymeetingswereheld:occasionallackofquorumwasfrustrating.• OurBIAisamemberofOntarioBIAAssociation–seethegreatresourcesat

http://obiaa.com• CollaborationwithInstitutionssuchastheCoastGuardBaseandFortWellington;Coast

GuardislocatedontheRiverandinourdowntown,providesessentialservicesandnowemploys72people

• DanaValentine,EconomicDevelopmentofficeristheBIA’smainliaisonwiththeTown.• BusinesswomanVivienYoung,ofYoung’sofPrescottpassedawayonNovember24,2018.

After41yearsworkinginourDowntownsheissadlymissed.• ActionPlanisregularlyupdated–needstorelatetoannualbudget

Marketing&Promotions

• 5000copiesof“VisitorGuide&MapDowntownPrescott&RiverwalkDistrict”wereprinted.ThanksforupdatingtovolunteerVirginiaAdams

• Advertisingin2018publicationsandothermediao 2018OfficialBrockville&ThousandIslandsVisitorGuide:

http://brockvilletourism.com/about-brockville/visitors-guide/o SouthGrenvilleChamberofCommerceVisitor’sGuideando asperCo-ordinator’sreport

• SocialMedia–newsletterandFacebookasperCo-ordinator’sReport• Website:www.prescottdowntown.ca

o Tookgreatefforto Vice–chair,DonnaWhitewasmajorchampion

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o Nextsteps–continuedmaintenanceandenhancement.

o BrockvilleDBIAspendsoneortwohoursperweekmaintainingtheirsite

• DanaValentine,EDOhasagreedtocontinueupdatingwhenDeronleaves

• HelpedpromotetheFortTownNightRun,attendedtheirAGM

• Offeredsupportfornewpedestrian/cyclistferrybetweenOgdensburghandPrescott

• Manyshopsandestablishmentsopenwithtreatson“LightUptheNightParade”

• ImprovedineffectivesignageatEdwardStreetandCommerceDrivewithsupportoftheTown

• Planningfor2019withotherpartnersandasperspecialgeneralmeetingonJanuary8,2019

• AlsovariouspromotionsasperCo-ordinator’sreport• specialpromotionssuchas“LadiesNightOut”byGreen

Things

PhysicalImprovements� Hangingbaskets,Christmaswreathsandsidewalkplanters� Refurbishingofstreetfurnishings(accomplishedbyTown)� Accessibility–noprogress� Windowcleaning� Historiccornices–noprogress� Entrepreneurialactionprovidingsome

stunningbeforeandafterimprovements

� AsDanaValentine,EDOwasunabletoattendatthelastminute,herreportontheCommunityImprovementProgramwillbeprovidedatalaterdate.TheTownisputtingthe$42,000(approximate)ofthe“OntarioRevitalizingMainStreets,HelpingSmallBusinessGrow”programintoPrescott’s“CommunityImprovementProgram”

EconomicDevelopment� Intendedtosupportthedowntownbusinesscommunity-“OntarioRevitalizingMain

Streets,HelpingSmallBusinessGrow”$42,000wentdirectlytothe� Co-ordinatorandChairattendedOntarioEastEconomicDevelopmentinCornwall:

September2018� “InvestmentRecruitmentStrategy”completedbyTDGrahamwasacriticallyimportant

accomplishment.Thisreportshouldbeusedasstartingpointforthenewbudget.ReportprovidesclearguidanceandactionsforthefutureandthenewBoardofDirectors,theTownandotherpartners:

� Action1–Committonewname:DowntownPrescott&HistoricRiverWalkDistrict-accomplished

� Action2–Adjust2018brochuretoalignwithnewname/brand-accomplished

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� Action3–CreatebettersignageDowntown(andleadingtoDowntown)startedwithtwoimprovedsigns

� Action4–Linkages:createlinkagesoraccessiblepathways(walkingpaths–wheelchair/stroller-friendly)toallowvisitorstogetfromthewatertothemainstreetandviceversa

� Action8–CreateandmaintainaninventoryofdowntownPrescottphotos� Action9–IdentifyDowntownsuccessstories� Action10–Prepareaccuratelistofavailableproperties–inprogress� Action12–CreateDowntownPropertiesinvestmentpackage(draft

completed)� Action13–Offerfollow-up

businesssupport� Conferences;networking,research;

� TourismSummitinBrockvilleattendedbyTownandBIAreps� RecruitmentofNewBusiness–moreaggressiveactionneededin2019–we

knowwhatneedsdoing!!� “TourismthrivesonPartnerships”–importantpartofBIAmandate–fitswith

themeofthismeeting.Opportunitiesforstrongerpartnerships:� TheGreatWaterfrontTrail� Cycling� EffectiveVisitorCentre� Fishing� UpdatedpublicassetsonWaterStreetamissedopportunity� Scubadivinginpartnershipwithothers� “InvestmentTourismopportunitiescomenaturallyinOntarioEast;

offeringurbancentres,smalltownsandruralsettings”� Takealookathttp://ontarioeast.ca/target-sectors/investment-tourism

toseehowwearemissingout� “Wellnesstourism”

� Tourism/Recreationco-ordinatoremployedbyTown;BIACo-ordinatorinvitedtomeetwithCommunitiesInBloominspectors

� SupportofFarmer’sandCrafter’sMarket–Town’sresponsibility;urgentmatter

� DirectsupporttoBIAmembership� WhatTourismOpportunitiesCanOntarioEastOfferYou?

1.Urgentdemandforaccommodationalongwaterfrontand400-serieshighways.Eachyear,21.1millionvisitorsand2millionregionalresidentsvisitOntarioEast’sdemand-generatingattractionsandyearroundsignaturefestivals.OntarioEast’scommunitieshaveexpressedaneedforincreasedaccommodationfortheseguests.2.Provenrevenue-generatingadventure,hospitalityandfoodbusinessesavailableforpurchasetocomplementsportstourism,craftbreweriesandnediningnichesliketheregion’sfarm-to-tableinitiatives.3.Attractive,historicalbuildingsimprovedthroughdowntownrevitalizationprograms,buildinguponacriticalmassofquaintsettingsformajoreventsandday-trips.4.Theabilitytoleveragelowcostlandtoturnrurallandscapesintointernationalattractions—whileenjoyingtheatmosphereofvineyardsandwaterviewsandensuringyourprojecthasampleparkingfor

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themasses.SEEhttp://ontarioeast.ca/sites/default/files//docs/InvestmentTourism.pdf

OntarioRevitalizingMainStreets,HelpingSmallBusinessesGrow

� LastYear’sannouncementbyJeffLeal,MinisterofAgriculture,FoodandRuralAffairsandtheMinisterResponsibleforSmallBusiness

� http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/edr/dr/index.htmlAccessto:

§ MunicipalPrograms(CIPs)§ ProvincialRevitalizationPrograms(OMAFRA)e.g.provincialannouncementof

$42,000(approx.)tobespentinthreeyears–oneyearpassed§ Product/ServiceSuppliers§ PartnershipsandNetworkingopportunitieswithotherBIAs§ GovernmentAgencies/Associations§ LocalOrganizations§ OntarioBIAAssociationMembership

MovingPrescott’sDowntownBIAForwardinto20191. Progressthroughpartnershipsisessentialexistingandnew2. RefreshmentofBoardofdirectoras3. DevelopmentofActionPlan4. Actioninallfourpillars5. ContinuedDevelopmentofourBusinessRecruitmentprogram6. VolunteersfortheBoardofManagementtobeselectedafterTownhasanew

by-lawinplace.HopefullythisreportwillbeofvaluetothenewBoard.7. CollaborationreUpperSt.Lawrencedeclaration as

HeritageRiveranticipatedin2019andGreatWaterwayActivities

8. SeekGrants(CF,CelebrateOntario,Music&Heritage,OMAFRAandothers);

9. Sponsorships10. EventRevenues11. Inventoriesanddataupdates12. Innovationandpoolingofresourcesand13. NewBoardofDirectorsandmore…..

InformationandResourcesforReport

� StrategicActionPlanforPrescottDowntownRevitalizationPreparedbyUrbanMarketingCollaborative,October2012-“buildoffourstrengths”andtakeboldstepsforward!Foundatwww.downtownprescott.ca

� RetailStudyPrescottDowntownRevitalization;BackgroundReport,PreparedbyUrbanMarketingCollaborative,September2012;JohnWilliams’

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Group–remainsfundamentaltooursuccess–seewww.downtownprescott.ca� Reporton2017BIAListingasofAugust3,2017:92RollNumbersand89businesses� TownofPrescottRecreationMasterPlan:foundat� TownofPrescottStrategicPlan� StrategicActionPlanforPrescottDowntownRevitalization–2012� RetailStudy,PrescottDowntownRevitalizationBackgroundReport� LocalLabourMarketPlanning2018the1000IslandsRegionworkforceDevelopment

Board� FirstImpressionsCommunityExchangewithTeamStirling:2008� CommunityImprovementPlan–2006� http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/095.nsf/eng/00002.html-Canada’sTourismVision� TourismOpportunities:onhttp://ontarioeast.ca/target-sectors/investment� OfficialPlan2006;looking20yearsintothefuture:fullformalreviewwithfullpublic

inputrequired� AmendedTownofPrescottOfficialplanOfficialPlan2018� ALocalMainStreetSuccessStory:HeritageCanadaFoundation1985� TourismStrategyandActionPlanfortheTownofPrescott–1984–amazinglyvalid

afterallthistime!!� DougGrifiths’13WaystoKillYourCommunity–isalsoanup-to-dateresource;“My

mission is to push communities to face their challenges and find their unique path to success.”Seewww.13ways.caforinspirationifyoudon’thaveitalready!!

4.2BIACoordinator:DeronJohnstonreportedontheyear’seventsasfollows:

DowntownPrescott:• DowntownPrescottisauniquefusionofone-of-a-kindshops,family-ownedpubs&

restaurants,manicuredwalkingtrailsandaquiet,fully-servicedharbouronthemajesticSt.LawrenceRiver

• ThiswasaverysuccessfulyearcommerciallyforDowntownPrescott.TherewereanumberofneworganizationandbusinessopeningsincludingthePrescottTurkishRestaurant,DrivingSchool,YourDressingRoomBoutique&Artisans,CrazyBowls,FurniturePast,HempHeaven,Once@426andHarvestPreparatoryAcademy.Therewerealsothreebusinessesthatexpandedandwereabletodothatbyre-locatingwithinDowntownPrescott–JamieShieldsRMT,NetfoxCommunicationsandOldeMagick.

InvestinginDowntownPrescott• “ChoosingDowntownPrescottasthelocationto

startmynewbusinesswasaneasydecisiontomake.TheDowntownbusinesscommunityislikeafamilywitheveryonebeingsosupportiveofeachother.It'sleadtomyshopbecomingakindofsocialhubformyregularcustomers,friendsandfellowfamilymembers.”SherrySpring–OldeMagick

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EventsandPromotions• DowntownPrescottwasthesiteofanumberofcommunityeventsandpromotions

including:TheSt.LawrenceShakespeareFestival,ATasteofPrescott,ThePrescottZombieWalk,TheSouthGrenvilleChamberofCommerceAnniversaryCelebration,The12DaysofChristmasFinale,LightUpTheNightParadeandmanymore.SpecialthankstotheTownofPrescott,ourcorporateandcommunitypartnersformakingtheseeventshappen.TheseeventsintheDowntownbringthousandsofpeopletothefrontstepsofourmemberbusinessesandorganizationseveryyear.

MarketingandSocialMedia• Thisyearweconcentratedonleveragingourrelationshipswithourlocalmedia

partners.ThisledtosignificantcontributionsfromthePrescottJournalandCoastFMtohelpusmarketourmemberbusinesses,eventsandpromotionsintheDowntownatminimalcosts.Inturn,wewereabletoprovidethemwithfreelocalcontentbasedonlocalevents&promotionsandeconomicdevelopmentnewsaboutDowntown.Wewereabletodothisthroughpressreleases,photographs,socialmediacontentandradiospotswhichourpartnersusedtohelpfilltheirpagesandtheirairwaves.Readersandlistenerswanttohearlocalcontentandwewereabletohelpprovidethatforourpartners.Thingslikeourbusinessopenings,ourwebsitelaunch,ourDowntownInvestmentAttractionStrategyand12DaysofChristmasneverwouldhavereceivedtheattentionthattheydidifnotforourmediapartners.SincerethankstoBeth,Joe,DrewofthePrescottJournalandCourtney,Austin,Lisa&DrewofCoastFM.

• Thisyearwewereabletogrowoursocialmediapresencetobecomeago-tosourceofinformationforBIAmembersandresidentsofPrescottandthesurroundingareas.OurFacebookpage“likes”organicallygrew73%to900followers.OurreachfromourFacebookpagefortherecent12DaysofChristmaspromotionhadareachof20,000notincludingtheTownofPrescott'sFacebookpagewhowepartneredwithonthepromotion.OurPulsenewsletterreached200subscribersincludingourMPandMPP.Ouropenratewas55%fortheyear,whiletheaverageacrossallindustriesfornewsletterswas20.81%.

EventsandPromotion• DowntownPrescottwasthesiteofanumberofcommunityeventsandpromotions

including:TheSt.LawrenceShakespeareFestival,ATasteofPrescott,ThePrescottZombieWalk,TheSouthGrenvilleChamberofCommerceAnniversaryCelebration,The12DaysofChristmasFinale,LightUpTheNightParadeandmanymore.SpecialthankstotheTownofPrescott,ourcorporateandcommunitypartnersformakingtheseeventshappen.TheseeventsintheDowntownbringthousandsofpeopletothefrontstepsofourmemberbusinessesandorganizationseveryyear.

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DowntownPrescott• ThispastDecember,theTownofPrescottandtheDowntownPrescottBIAlaunched

the12DaysofChristmaspromotion.Buildingonthesuccessof12DaysfromDecember2017andthe12DaysofShakespearefromthispastsummer,thiseditionof12Dayswasthemostsuccessfulyet.Businessowners,residents,localmediaandotherstakeholderswerereadythisyearandthepromotionwasthoroughlyembraced.ThisyearthePrescottChristmasElveshadtwicethe$50giftcertificatestogiveawaythankstoeachandeveryparticipatingbusinessprovidedamatchingdonation.Thatmeantover60giveawayswereavailabletobegiventorandomshopperscaughtsupportingourlocalbusinesses.That'sover$6,000ingiftcertificates.Theelvescouldn'tkeepup!

4.3Treasurer’sReport:TraceyYoungprovidedunaudited/draftcopiesofthe2018Budgetdocuments

a)OperatingBudget:Revenuewas$37,033andOperatingExpenseswere$37,033b)ProjectBudget:Revenuewas$14,670andExpenseswere$14,670.c)Reserveswereestimatedat$19,564

4.4ReportfromMatthewArmstrong,CAO/TreasurerfortheTownofPrescottThereisanumberofcontradictingclausesinthecurrentby-lawaroundmembershipthataremadeinvalidbytheMunicipalAct.HehasconsultedwiththeTownlawyer.Theplanistobringadraftby-lawbacktotheJanuary21stmeetingforcommentandthenpassagethefollowingweekifpossible.ThroughoutJanuarytheTownwillbeworkingondeterminingwhoareeligiblevotingmembersaspertheMunicipalActsotheycanensurethisissortedout.TheCodeofConductfortheTownofPrescottwillbeamendedinFebruarytoincludesomeofthechangestothemunicipalactandfurtherclarifysomepoints.ThiswillthenapplytoallcommitteeandlocalboardsofCouncilsothereisnoneedtocreateanewone.[NoteBy-law04-2019,beingaby-lawtoprovidegovernancetoBusinessImprovementAreasandBusinessImprovementAreaBoardsofManagementfortheCorporationoftheTownofPrescottbereadthreetimes,passedandsignedbytheMayorandClerk.]

4.5DanaValentine,EconomicDevelopmentOfficerDanahadtocanceloutofreportingatthismeetingbuthassuggestedshewouldbeavailableforthenextgeneralannualmeetingoftheBIA.IntheinterimherearesomeusefullinkstotheTown’snewlyrevampedCommunityImprovementprogram.http://www.prescott.ca/en/do-business/Community-Improvement-Program.asphttp://www.prescott.ca/en/do-business/resources/Documents/CIP-Application-Guide.pdfhttp://www.prescott.ca/en/do-business/resources/Documents/CIP-Application-Riverwalk-District-Downtown-Core---FILLABLE.pdf

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ii)TheTown’sTourismandRecreationCoordinator,KatieForresterwasunavailabletoattendandprovideanupdateontheTown’ssummertourismprogramattheRotaryLighthouse,marketingetc.HowevertheTown’sRecreationMasterplanfinaldraftcanbeseenat(http://www.prescott.ca/en/play-here/resources/Prescott-Rec-Plan-Draft-Final-Feb-23.pdf

4.6LeedsGrenvilleEconomicDevelopmentUpdatefromAnnWeirforPrescottBIAGeneralSpecialMeeting,January8,2019 Background: TheUnitedCountiesofLeedsandGrenville2018/2019EconomicDevelopmentPlan:https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/resourcesGeneral/Publications/2018---Leeds-Grenville-Economic-Development-Plan.pdfStrategicAreasofFocus:

1. LeadershipandCapacityBuilding2. BusinessInvestmentandAttraction3. BusinessRetentionandExpansion4. Tourism5. MarketingandCommunications

TourismUpdate:• Re-negotiatedcontractuntilSeptember2019withHKTravelCentres,Ministryof

TransportationandMinistryofTourism,CultureandSporttoprovideVisitorServicesat401-MallorytownONrouteCentresduringthepeaktourismperiodofJune–August.

• TownofPrescott/SouthGrenvilleiswelcometoprovidetheirvisitorguidetotheMallorytownONroutecentrefordistributionatthesitethroughtheCountiesEconomicDevelopmentOffice.

• Prescottandareaattractionsareencouragedtoprovideadditionalpromotionalmaterial.

• SummereventinformationbetweenJuneandAugustcanbesenttoCountiesEconomicDevelopmenttobepostedattheMallorytownONrouteCentres.

MarketingandCommunications:• Onlinebusinessdirectory:businessesarewelcometoprovidetheirinformationor

checktoseeifitiscorrectlyposted.Thisdirectoryisfreeandalsosupports11othermunicipaldirectories.

www.investleedsgrenville.com/directory

• eNewsletter:bi-weeklyeNewsletter–https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/contacts-news-events/enewsletter.aspx?_mid_=14870

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4.7St.LawrenceShakespeareFestival;JamesRichardson,GeneralManagerJamesexpressedhisappreciationforthepotentialandsupportofthecommunityandofworkingindowntownPrescott:hewouldn’tdriveanhourbackandforthtoworkinPrescotteverydayifhedidn’tappreciateus!

LastSeason• ticketsaleslower-duetounpredictabilityofweather• newArtisticDirectorRichardSheridanandhiscastof12stellarartistsincludednew

facesandfamiliarones-engagedtheaudienceintwoboldandexcitingproductions:AsYouLikeItandTamingoftheShrew:48performancesbetweenallproductions–enthusiasmandappreciationwerenothamperedbytheweather!

• seekingtofurtherincreaseOttawaaudiencesincludinghisOttawaconnectionsand• 416PlayPasswithOdysseyTheatre(JamesisalsogeneralmanagerofOttawa’s• OdysseyTheatre).Itgetsitsholderintoashowatboth

OdysseyTheatreandtheSt.• LawrenceShakespeareatasavingsof33%.

Likethe416Highway,thepassconnectstheOttawaandPrescotttheatresandgivesaudiencesagreatnewoptionfornotone,buttwonightsofentertainingoutdoortheatre.

• createdstorefronttheatrewithmini-museuminGlasgowHouse-hugethankyou

tothePetersFamilyfordonatingthespacetous.• triedoutmicrophones-whentheyworkedtheywerebrilliant,whentheydidn’t,they

wereawful>willworkongettingagreatsystemwhenwecanaffordit.• TUDORFEST-3daycelebrationofallthingsTudorandShakespeareincludedspecialperformancesincludingsoldoutPierreBraultshow• outstandingone-manperformanceofAChristmasCarolinDecember• appreciatedsupportfromBIAfor12daysofShakespeareandgreatadvicefromCo-

ordinatorand• substantialsupportfromlocalbusinessthroughadvertisingandsponsorship.

THISSEASON� TheWinter’sTale&CyranoDeBergerac-June13thtoAugust17th-twobrilliant� Directors,onefromUKandonefreshfromworkingwithRobertLepage� creatingpartnershipswith1000IslandsPlayhouseandThirdWallinOttawa.� Lookingfornewwaystoworkwithlocalbusinessestocreateanevenmoredynamic

downtownPrescottcreatingovernightpackages� volunteersalwayswelcome� AnnualGeneralMeetingisonJanuary29that7:00PMattheRedGeorgePub

SNOWFLAKEDINNERNOWAWINTER’SENDGALA-March2nd:Callnowtobookyourtickets:613-925-5778.TheFestival’sWebSiteiswww.stlawrenceshakespeare.ca4.8ChamberofCommerce:PresidentBonniePidgeon-GommertbroughtgreetingsfromtheSouthGrenvilleChamberofCommerce.Lastyearwasabusyoneforthe

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chamberastheycelebratedtheir125thanniversary.TheChamberhasalmostcompletedtheirnewwebsiteandwereholdingtheirAGMonJanuary24thattheTownHall.TheBIAisalsoaskedtoreportateachregularmeetingoftheChamber.

4.9ParksCanadaandGreatWaterway a) JuanSanchez,SiteManagerofFortWellington,theBattleoftheWindmillandLaurier

HouseNationalHistoricSitesofCanadareportedasfollows:2018wasagreatyearasFortWellingtonwelcomed15,000visitorsandinspiteoftheconstructionareanticipatingasimilarturnoutin2019.Thirteenstudentswerehiredin2018andtheyareexpecting13studentsagainin2019.ThesestudentswillundergoatrainingprogramasinthepastandJuaninvitedtheTown’stourismambassadorstoparticipateinthistrainingaswell.FortWellingtonisofcoursewelltunedintoCanada’sTourismVision–itisausefulwebsiteathttp://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/095.nsf/eng/00002.html-Canada’sTourismVision

b)LibbyPilonisProductDevelopmentOfficerforParksCanada’sGeorgianBayandOntarioEastFieldUnits.ShealsoservesontheRTO9TourismBoardasamemberatlarge.

DestinationMarketingOrganization(DMO)foreachregionhasaseatontheboard-forourregionBrockvilleTourism(DMO)hasaseatandthatpositioniscurrentlybeingfilled.TheRTO9hasanexcellentstaffteamBonnieRuddockistheExecutiveDirectorandSteveWeiristheMarketingOfficer{Notebothofthemmadeapresentationatthe2018BIAAGMonJanuary24,2018.ThereisacontinuedfocusisonmarketingtheGreatWaterway(PrinceEdwardCountytoCornwall)asawholewithspecifictargetedcampaignseachyear,i.e.cruisingandtheatrefor2018,for2019thecampaignswillbecruising(Spring)andOntarioMotorcycle(Fall)AnewerfocusonProductDevelopmentwithaplaniscurrentlyunderwaywhichwillincludeaninventoryofproductsfortheregionandwillalsoidentitygapsandopportunitiesPartneringisaprioritywithPartneringfundsforprojectsavailable.Industrytrainingavailablethroughouttheyearincludingtrainingonmarketing,social/digitalmarketing,andproductdevelopmentTourismoperatorsareencouragedtogohttps://tourismtalk.caandsignuptoreceiveindustrynewsletterandemailupdatesItwasalsonotedthatKingstonwillbehostingthe2020curlingTimHorton’sBrier,March2020.[Note–avisittowww.thegreatwaterway.comrevealsMANYopportunitiesforthe

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promotionsofanhistoricRivertownlikePrescott.ThereisagreatpageonourForwardersMuseum-https://thegreatwaterway.com/pt-activities-await/forwarders-museum/]

4.11CSEConsultingwasrepresentedbyRodPalmer,JobDeveloperandLeadFacilitator.Rod’sofficeisat191KingStreetEast.T:613-925-0222,ext.208CSEhasProgramsandservicesforjobseekers,employersandpersonswithdisabilities.Trainyouremployeesfor1/3thecostusingaCanada-OntarioJobGrant(COJG).Ifyou'reanemployerwithaparticularskillsdemand,theCanada-OntarioJobGrantmightberightforyou.Applicationswillbeacceptedonanongoingbasis.Seewww.cseconsulting.comorformoreinformationabouttheCanada-OntarioJobGrantvisitthegovernmentwebsiteat:http:www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/cojg/index.htmlFundingisprovidedbytheGovernmentofCanadathroughtheCanadaJobGrantProgramsdeliveredbytheGovernmentofOntario4.12GrenvilleCommunityFutures:HeatherLawless GrenvilleCFDCishelpingBusinessesSucceedwithBusinessLoansandBusinessAdviceastheircoreprogramsandservices.Thewebsiteiswww.GrenvilleCFDC.com.Telephoneis613-925-4275.(GrenvilleCFDCiswaitingforfundingapprovalfortheEasternOntarioDevelopmentProgramfortheperiodcommencingApril1.2019.CurrentlytheyarefullycommittedforEODPdeliveryforthisfiscalyear.)

4.13FortTownRun:JulieLaroseTheFortTownRunpresents“MaytheFortBeWithYou”onMay4,2019.Toregistergotohttp://www.forttownnightrun.com.ThisisacommunityfundraisertoraisefundsforSKBPVenturersandlocalScouting.Thisisalsoanexcitingnightofrunningorwalkingto“unlockhistoricalsiteswithover40sitestosee.Thisamazingeventbringsmanypartnerstogetherforagoodcauseandafuntime.

4.14BrockvilleDBIA:HillaryGeneauAstheExecutiveDirectoroftheDowntownBrockvilleDBIAandmemberoftheOntarioBIAAssociationHillarybroughtgreetingsandwordsofencouragement.KeywebsitesofinteresttoBrockville’sDowntownBIAare:https://www.downtownbrockville.comandhttp://brockvilletourism.com{anespeciallymotivatingblogwasHowtoMakeSupportingYourcommunityyournextNewYear’sresolution]

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4.15LeedsGrenvilleSmallBusinessEnterpriseCentre(LGSBEC):JeannetteJohnstonJeanetteisthebusinessdevelopmentcoordinatorfortheLGSBEC.Shecanbereachedat613.342.8772,ext.471.ThefocusoftheCentreisonsmallbusinessstart-ups,businessplanningandprovidingmentors,coachesandadvisors.https://www.lgsbec.com 4.162018ZombieWalkReport:DeronJohnstonreadfromthefollowingreportsubmittedbyJoeMartelle“Despiteunforgivingevent-dayweather,2018sawcontinuedgrowthforthefutureofanOctober“Halloween”eventinPrescott.Growingon2017’ssuccess,theZombieWalkcontinuedtobuildexcitementandstrengthencommunitypartnerships.Theinclusionofournewt-shirtmarketingprogrameasilyprovidedenoughsponsorstocreatetwoseparateversionsoftheshirts,helpingtopromotetheeventaswellasanumberoflocalbusinesses.NoteworthywereO’Reilly’sYourIndependentandTDBank,whobothdressedtheirentirestaffinZombieapparel.Alsoimportantisthefactthatfourmediaoutletssupportedthet-shirtcampaign(andseveralmorereportedontheevent,includinganOntarioFarmingpublication).Theunderlyingmessageisthatthereisastrongappetitetodevelopthecurrenteventintoalarger(andperhapsmoreretail-focused)festival.WhileMotherNaturemighthavedampenedtheSaturdayattendancewithacoldrainyday,the“screamingcontest”andghoststoriesonFridaynightwereagreatandsubtleexpansionofthepreviousprogram.Theteamthanksallwhohelpedinthe2018event.WendyandtheteamfromLuxewereawesome,addingtheirultra-coolhauntedhousetothescheduleofevents.Martinawasafountainofhelp.BigthankstotheWLPetersfamilyforprovidingusthestorefrontspaceonKingStreet.DeronandtheBIA,theMayor(whobravedtherainforthewalk),thestaffofthetownwhohelpedusanytimeweasked,HappyCrapwhoprovidedmusiconachillyday,BonnieandherBBQteamandalltheothersthatIamundoubtedlyforgettingtomention.Havingmorepeoplethanonecanremembertothankisagreatproblem.WewillbehostinganAGMinlateFebruary.Themainagendaitemwillbeacalltocreateawiderleadershipteam.Pleasestaypostedformoredetailsasweconfirmbothdateandlocation.Joe”[WendyHenneseywhoorganizedtheHauntedHousealsonotedtothechairoftheBIAwhatagreathelpthestudents,includingthosefromConnectYouthhadbeen]

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6. ResultsofBrainStorming:Thebrainstorming“ticketoutthedoorproducedseveralideasincluding:• Forcyclinggetyourbikefriendlybikedesignationthroughwww.ontariobybike.ca

(theTownisworkingongettingabicycledecalonouruniquebicycleracksdesignedbyJamieMacFarlaneofPrescott)

• OthertourismgroupstoparticipateinParksCanadatraining• LookforFedDevfundingrecentlyannouncedthatcanbeusedforlocal

initiativeslikebuildingrestorationinBIAarea.TheLeedsGrenvilleSmallBusinesswillpost

• FollowTDGrahamreportwhenestablishingActionplan• Applyforgrants• Takecareofwhatwehavealready

7. Appreciationandacknowledgements:LeanneBurtonthanked:

CarlaandMikeHudsonoftheColonel’sInnfortheirhospitalityandwecongratulatedCarlaonherbecomingthenewproprietoroftheVerandaRestaurantatthePrescottGolfClub–openingApril1,2019www.verandahresto@gmail.com

WendyHenneseywasthankedalsoforherrefreshmentsandforbeingthelatestnewrestaurantinourdowntownand

Sandra,DonnaandTraceyfortheirworkinorganizingandpreparingfortheevent.