Think of this newsletter as your one-stop-shop for news and opportunities impacting your business.
WEBINAR: Grow Your Small Business
on Instagram
Date: October 26, 2022 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
This intermediate-level workshop is for those that have already dipped their toes into the world of Instagram and are looking to grow on the platform. We’ll explore different ways small businesses are strategically building a following on Instagram and generating sales from their efforts. You’ll walk away from this workshop with a long list of ideas you can use right away.
You’ll learn:
- All the different sections of Instagram, and how to use each (Grid, Reels, Stories, Highlights)
- Creative ways to tell your small business story on Instagram, whether you’re selling products or services
- How to use hashtags effectively
- Why you’re much more likely to be seen on Instagram when you post videos
- How to build a strong relationship with your Instagram followers, that converts to sales
2022 Annual General Meeting (Virtual)
We’ll look at what we accomplished in 2022, plus share some plans for 2023. There will be presentations from our staff members about important information and future plans from each department as we continue to meet the goals of our Strategic Plan. Our 2023 Budget will also be included. For more information, please head to: 2022 LDBA AGM Information.
Date: Friday, November 4th, 2022
Time: 9AM – 11AM
Location: Online
Have a question?
Submit your question before Thursday, Oct 27th to budgetquestions@downtownlondon.ca and we’ll do our best to answer it at the AGM presentation.
How can the City improve
London’s Core Area?
The City of London is collecting input on the opportunities and challenges experienced in London’s Core Area. Input shared will be used to help develop the Core Area Strategy vision statements and areas of focus, which will guide future actions in the Downtown, Old East Village and Midtown neighbourhoods. Londoners are encouraged to visit the City’s engagement website, Get Involved London, to share their perspectives. Once finalized, the vision statements and areas of focus for Downtown, Old East Village and Midtown that will describe the key drivers for the Core Area Strategy will be integrated into the engagement process for Council’s next Strategic Plan and Multi-Year Budget Process.
Input may relate to things like economic growth, safety and security, residential development, accessibility, and arts and culture, as well as social and health issues, homelessness prevention and housing. Ultimately, we want Londoners to share their perspectives and provide input on where they would like to see the City focus future strategies related to Core Area improvements.
Survey deadline: November 9, 2022
Celebrate Fanshawe’s Graduation
downtown this November!
Downtown London is pleased to be working with Fanshawe College to bring their graduation ceremonies to Budweiser Gardens. On November 8th and November 9th,
more than 7000 graduates and their families coming to downtown London. Downtown London staff will be delivering Fanshawe posters to as many merchants as quantities permit, to place in their store front windows to welcome Fanshawe graduates and guests to shop and dine downtown during their visit next week. We know our members always have fun and creative ways to welcome visitors to their businesses!
Here are a few ideas that our members may wish to do while graduates and their families come downtown:
- Create a special Fanshawe Graduation Menu if you are a restaurant
- Have your staff wear their red and black – Fanshawe College colours
- Decorate your stores and restaurants using red and black streamers, balloons, etc.
- Give a special discount to Fanshawe graduates and their families
- Post on social media about your special Fanshawe related promotions and tag @downtownlondon @fanshawecollege on instagram.
Let’s show these 7000 grads and their families some Fanshawe Pride!
Fly London: Business Travel Survey
This survey is beneficial for the airport to get feedback from the London business community. This survey will help the London airport evaluate current business travel trends and to assist with more service at the London International Airport.
The deadline to respond to this survey is November 18th, 2022.
Christmas at our Place Event
Christmas at our Place is a holiday party for small to mid-size businesses. Tickets are $70 per person and include a holiday-inspired buffet dinner, music, dancing and door prizes. This event will take place on November 26th, 2022. If you don’t have a final number of guests yet, that’s okay. Final order confirmation and payment are due by November 11, 2022.
Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
– Program Repayment Deadlines Have Changed
The Government of Canada has extended the December 31, 2022 repayment date to December 31, 2023 for CEBA loan holders. You will be contacted by your financial institution with details for your specific loan.
The OUT and ABOUT Core Area
Gift Card!
We have started distributing the cards today to all of the businesses in the Downtown London BIA. We will try and distribute the cards as fast as possible, but because there are so many cards to deliver it may take a few weeks to get them into the hands of all the downtown businesses.
If you’re eager to get the cards, you or a representative of your business can come to pick them up from our office at 123 King Street. We’re open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every Monday to Friday.
Grant Opportunity for Storefront
Level Businesses!
With the holiday’s fast approaching Downtown London encourages businesses to decorate their storefronts and participate in this years holiday window display contest.
To help businesses prepare, Downtown London is offering a one time grant of $500 to all storefront level businesses who are wishing to participate to cover the costs of decorating materials, holiday/winter decor, lights, seasonal outdoor plants, etc.
We encourage all merchants who are interested to reach out as soon as possible as there is limited funding available. By applying for this grant you are automatically entered into Downtown London’s 2022 Window Display Contest where we will once again offer prizes for the best decorated storefronts/windows! Participating merchants will be featured on our website on an online voting page where businesses, customers and all visitors of the downtown can go and vote for their favourite decorated business! If you have questions please contact hailey@downtownlondon.ca or vicki@downtownlondon.ca
This years prizes:
1st Place: $1,000 Downtown Gift Card
2nd Place: $500 Downtown Gift Card
3rd Place: $250 Downtown Gift Card
Downtown Dollar Gift Cards
Downtown Dollars encourage local spending and are a great gift for the “tough to shop for” people in your life. Sign up here to receive Downtown Dollar Gift Cards as a method of payment from customers. Reach out to members@downtownlondon.ca for gift card set up and assistance!
Financial Assistance
Click here for information grants and loans available to small businesses.