BRINGING SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS to the FOREFRONT DOWNTOWNS ATLANTIC CANADA (DAC) CONFERENCE HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA | MAY 27-29, 2018 Downtownsatlantic.Com DAC PARTNERS
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BRINGING SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS TO THE FOREFRONT DOWNTOWNS ATLANTIC CANADA (DAC) CONFERENCE HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA | MAY 27-29, 2018 downtownsatlantic.com DAC PARTNERS DAC VISIONARY ekistics.net DAC LEADER DAC CHAMPION DAC ADVOCATE TABLE OF CONTENTS About Downtowns Atlantic Canada (DAC) 1 Message from the President of DAC 2 Greetings from the Mayor 2 DAC Board of Directors 3 About the 2018 DAC Conference 3 DAC Conference BID Hosts 3 Registration 4 Special Events 4 WiFi 4 Mobile Tour 4 Schedule-at-a-Glance 5 Venue Information and City Map 6 Keynote and Panel Descriptions 8 Keynote Speakers 10 Moderators and Panelists 11 ABOUT DOWNTOWNS ATLANTIC CANADA (DAC) The downtown business improvement areas (BIAs) of Atlantic Canada, with representatives from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island, merged together and joined a Memorandum of Understanding to create Downtowns Atlantic Canada (DAC). Together, they represent over 15,000 businesses and are a network of advocates from BIAs across Atlantic Canada. DAC works to improve the positioning of the BIAs as unique, diverse, vibrant, and economically healthy urban cores. DAC’s mission is to be recognized as the collective voice of the downtown business improvement areas of Atlantic Canada. DAC’s goal is to increase partnerships with provincial and municipal governments, as well as with the federal government to achieve their goals of growth and investment in our urban cores. In addition, DAC members strive to bring the challenges of urban economic development to the attention of decision-makers and to facilitate actions that will result in prosperous and vibrant business improvement areas. 1 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF DAC GREETINGS FROM THE MAYOR Welcome to Halifax for the 2018 Downtowns Atlantic As Mayor of Halifax and on behalf of Regional Council, Canada (DAC) Conference. This year’s conference is a it gives me great pleasure to extend warm greetings truly collaborative effort by all eight local business and a special welcome to all those attending the 2018 improvement district (BID) organizations coming together Downtowns Atlantic Canada (DAC) Conference taking place to organize a terrific program, with both international and May 27-29. regional talent. Downtowns are the centre of commerce, the seat of It is the next step for DAC, as we become an officially government, the heart of culture. They are intrinsic to registered organization, which joins other regional our pride of place, our identity, and our personality. Great associations, across Canada and the USA, to share best downtowns are a celebration of art, music, food, and practices, provide valuable networking, and communications architecture. They are walkable, liveable, and unique across our downtown and main street organizations. places. Successful downtowns are the result of strong partnerships between the public and private sectors, Over the next three days, you’ll hear from keynote speakers and over the next few days you will hear speakers from from the USA, mayors representing municipalities in across North America who are leaders in downtown Atlantic Canada, local businesspeople, and your peers in revitalization. The 2018 DAC conference celebrates the the BID community. This year’s theme is “Bringing Small success of our downtowns, the importance of small Business Matters to the Forefront.” We know that small business, and the innovative entrepreneurs who keep our businesses are the backbone of the local economy, and mainstreets vibrant and prosperous. unquestionably the backbone of our main streets. As disruptive market forces accelerate, we need to better I want to thank the downtown business improvement support our small business members, to ensure our areas (BIAs) of Atlantic Canada for recognizing the critical districts thrive. role our downtowns play in creating successful cities, and for coming together to advocate for positive change that We know you’ll learn a lot, and also enjoy the experience will help us reach our vast potential. I wish you all a very of your host city, on both sides of the harbour. memorable conference, and hope you enjoy your stay in Halifax. All the best, Kindest regards, Paul MacKinnon President, Downtowns Atlantic Canada Mike Savage, Mayor 2 2017-18 DAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Members: Board of Directors: Paul MacKinnon, President Dawn Alan, Downtown Charlottetown Karla Nicholson, Vice President Scott Cluney, Downtown St. John’s Bruce McCormack, Treasurer Graziella Grbac, Village on Main – Community Improvement District Nancy Tissington, Secretary Trina MacDonald, Business Fredericton North Deborah Elliott, Past President Paul MacKinnon, Downtown Halifax Business Commission Samantha Madore, Downtown Truro Partnership Bruce McCormack, Downtown Fredericton Karla Nicholson, Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association Anne Poirier-Basque, Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. Tim Rissesco, Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission Juanita Spencer, Spring Garden Area Business Association Nancy Tissington, Uptown Saint John Business Improvement Association ABOUT THE 2018 DAC CONFERENCE “Bringing Small Business Matters to the Forefront” Inspired by the challenges small businesses face on a day-to-day basis, the organizers of this year’s DAC Conference, “Bringing Small Business Matters to the Forefront,” set out to create a program dedicated to addressing small business issues. The keynote speakers and panel discussions will address many of these issues and provide us with tools and motivation to lead our small business communities and keep our main streets vibrant and prosperous. The DAC Conference is co-hosted by: Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission, Downtown Halifax Business Commission, North End Business Association, Sackville Business Association, Spring Garden Area Business Association, Spryfield Business Commission, and Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association, and Village on Main – Community Improvement District. DAC CONFERENCE BID HOSTS 3 REGISTRATION SPECIAL EVENTS At the Registration Desk, you can: DAC OPENING NIGHT PECHAKUCHA • Pick up your delegate badge • Pick up your delegate bag – includes drink tickets and Sunday, May 27, 7:30 pm ferry ticket Sponsored by North End Business Association and • Sign up for the Mobile Tour (May 28) Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association HOURS & LOCATIONS: PechaKucha 20x20 is a simple presentation format Sunday, May 27 where presenters show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm The images advance automatically, and the speaker Main lobby, to the right of the concierge desk, on the talks along to the images. Why? Because people tend to ground floor of The Prince George Hotel, 1725 Market talk too much! PechaKucha Nights are informal and fun Street, Halifax gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, and thoughts. This event is included Monday, May 28 with your DAC registration. 7:30 am to 3:00 pm Windsor Rooms 1 & 2, The Prince George Hotel, 1725 DAC DINNER AT THE CANTEEN Market Street, Halifax Monday, May 28, 7:00 pm Tuesday, May 29 Sponsored by Ekistics Planning + Design 8:00 am to 12:00 noon Hallway outside of Paul O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central A set menu, three-course dinner at the hottest Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax restaurant in Downtown Dartmouth. The Canteen is a neighbourhood restaurant, serving up chef-inspired seasonal fare. Delegates can unwind, relax, and network, over a great meal, influenced by classic French, Italian, and traditional Nova Scotian cuisine. This dinner is included with your DAC registration. WIFI MOBILE TOUR For free WiFi at The Prince George Hotel, you can use the Argyle and Grafton Streetscape, Halifax Convention Centre, following networks: Halifax Waterfront Monday, May 28, 4:00 pm Network: PG Meeting Password: reception Explore the recently completed shared Argyle and Grafton Streetscape, the newly opened Halifax Convention Centre Network: PG Public and the beautiful Halifax Waterfront with your tour Password: diamond guides: Suzanne Fougere, Halifax Convention Centre, Paul MacKinnon, Downtown Halifax Business Commission; For free WiFi at the Halifax Central Library, you can use the Hanita Koblents, HRM Planning; and TJ Maguire, following network: Waterfront Development. Network: Halifax Public Libraries There is no extra fee for this tour but it is a separate Password: No password needed registration. Please sign up at the Registration Desk. Delegates meet at the Halifax Convention Centre. For updates and to join the conversation, follow #DACHalifax2018 on Twitter and Instagram. 4 SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE SUNDAY, MAY 27 4:00 PM-5:30 PM Mobile Tour: Argyle & Grafton Streetscape, Halifax Convention 1:30 PM-4:00 PM Registration Desk Centre, Halifax Waterfront The Prince George Hotel Lobby 5:45 PM-7:00 PM Ferry to Alderney Landing 4:00 PM- 5:30 PM DAC Board Meeting Halifax Ferry Terminal Closed to DAC Board Members 7:00 PM-9:00 PM DAC Dinner at The Canteen 7:30 PM-10:00 PM Opening Night PechaKucha The Canteen on Portland, Dartmouth The Seahorse Tavern, Halifax Sponsor: Ekistics Planning + Design Sponsor: North End Business Association & & Downtown Dartmouth Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association Business Commission 9:30 PM Alderney Ferry to Halifax: ferries MONDAY, MAY 28 run on the half-hour Alderney Ferry Terminal, Dartmouth The Prince George Hotel (Windsor 1 & 2) 7:30 AM-3:00 PM Registration Desk TUESDAY, MAY 29 8:00 AM-9:00 AM Breakfast Halifax Central Library (Paul O’Regan Hall) Sponsored by HotSpot