Business Insider - September 26

In this Issue:

Save the Date: 2025 AGM

Please join us on Wednesday, November 12 at the London Music Hall for our 2025 Annual General Meeting. Doors open at 8:30am, and we will begin the meeting promptly at 9am.

👀 A little sneak peak at what we will be discussing:

A Year of Downtown Momentum in 2025
Roundtable Discussion Building Momentum through Creative Uses
2025 Business Achievement Award and Gerald Gallacher Award Winners

Contact Info@DowntownLondon.ca for questions and ideas 🙂

RSVP here!

📌 Registration is required for each attendee. If more than one person from your organization plans to attend, please register each separately.

This is the last call for the 2025 Downtown London AGM Business Award nominees!

📌 October 1 is the last day to submit.

More information and submit nominations here

Last Call to Join 2025 Candy Crawl

This is the last call to join in on this year’s spooky fun!

How to participate:
1) Set up a table or booth outside your business and hand out candy or treats, and/or
2) Offer discounts, activities, or special deals to visitors, and/or
3) Contribute a prize for the popular Candy Crawl Costume Contest.

We’ll promote the event by creating shareable graphics, posters, and social media content. A printed map and (new this year) an online itinerary will guide participants from business to business.

Reach out to I nfo@DowntownLondon.ca for any questions or ideas.

📌 Entries will close on Monday September 29, at noon!

More details and sign up here

Help Shape the Future of Downtown London

The City of London is developing a new Downtown Plan and wants your input!

Join the virtual public meeting on Thursday October 2, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. to learn more, ask questions, and share your ideas.

Can’t make it? You can also provide feedback anytime at GetInvolved.london.ca/DowntownPlan

Ontario RAISE Grant

The Ontario government has launched the 2025 – 26 RAISE (Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs) Grant Program to help support small businesses.

Through this program, racialized and Indigenous entrepreneurs can access:

Free online business development training from DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University
One-time $10,000 grant upon successful completion of the program
Coaching, networking opportunities, and ongoing business support

To be eligible, businesses must be registered/incorporated, based in Ontario, and majority-owned by an Indigenous, Black, or other racialized individual.

📅 Applications are open now and close October 1, 2025.

Learn more and apply here

Road Closures

Lane Restrictions on Wellington Street

Lane restrictions are in place on Wellington Street between Queens Avenue and Dufferin Avenue for restoration of the People and the City Monument. Work is expected to take 10–12 weeks. Drivers should plan ahead, expect delays, and consider alternate routes.
The project will replace the monument’s deteriorating limestone base with durable granite to help preserve this important tribute to London’s history and community.

CIBC Run for the Cure

Road closure for the upcoming CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 5^th.

Dufferin Ave will be closed for the entire event, 9am to 12pm (noon). The walk/run route will follow the same route as in previous years, with traffic impacts limited to rolling road closures.

Tourism Show Your Badge Program

⭐️ Thank You from Tourism London Conventions!

The Tourism London Conventions Team extends a heartfelt thank you to all the incredible businesses who joined the Show Your Badge program this year. Together, we welcomed nearly 10,000 delegates to London in 2024 across more than 28 conventions, with many more still to come this fall!

What is the Show Your Badge program?
Show Your Badge connects your business with visiting delegates. By showing their conference badge, delegates unlock exclusive offers at participating restaurants, shops, and attractions. It’s a simple, free way to bring new customers through your doors while showcasing all that London has to offer.

To our current partners: thank you for your enthusiasm and support. We can’t wait to keep growing this program together!

👉 Not part of the program yet? Now’s the time to join!

Learn more and join the program here