| Upcoming Events |
Mayor's Annual State of the City Address
January 24
(website)
Celticfest Vancouver
March 12
(website)
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
March 25
(website)
Get the scoop on
DVBIA events
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Welcome to the DVBIA's monthly newsletter for member businesses in our 90-block downtown area. This e-newsletter is read by over 1700 subscribers.
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MAYOR'S ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
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ONLY A FEW TABLES REMAIN
 The DVBIA is proud to present the third annual Mayor's State of the City Address, Unlike previous years, the Mayor's Annual State of the City Address will be delivered for the first and only time at this luncheon. Be there to hear what's in store for what promises to be an exciting year and you will have an opportunity to ask Mayor Sam Sullivan questions about issues that directly impact you.
Date: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Location: Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel
Time: 11:30 am - 2 pm
$80 +GST Members (Purchase)
$95 +GST Non-members (Purchase)
$800 +GST Corporate tables (Purchase)
Register online now at www.downtownvancouver.net
Proudly Sponsored by
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DUMPSTER-FREE ALLEYS AWAIT HAULERS' RESPONSE |
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On the heels of Vancouver City Council's unanimous support in principle late last year, the Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued for the DVBIA's Streets and Alleys Cleanup Strategies (SACS) program. This means the new dumpster-free waste collection and disposal system is expected to be implemented by Spring 2008. RFP submissions are due on January 25.
SACS impacts the 320+ dumpsters currently on city property within the DVBIA area and possibly in other BIAs in the city.
In addition to meeting the objectives of cleaner streets and lanes, reducing waste, integrating partnerships with social enterprises and reducing waste hauling traffic and congestion, SACS is intended to be a cost-effective alternative for our members. Our research suggests dumpster-free alternatives will be the same or cheaper than current dumpster costs. If this were not to be the case, the DVBIA would abandon or modify the initiative.
Check out the DVBIA website for both details on the RFP and updated information for members. Educational sessions for businesses that will transition from dumpsters to the alternative system are expected in early Spring once the contractor (s) is selected and the necessary permits are issued by the City of Vancouver.
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ONE CHANCE TO COMMENT
ON GRANVILLE ST. RE-DESIGN |
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 We've long talked about significant changes coming to Granville Street and the time has finally arrived. Beginning in Spring 2008, construction and re-design of the street, from the bridge to the Burrard Inlet, will begin. It will be completed about a year later to coincide with the opening of the new Canada Line stations along Granville Street and in time for the 2010 Winter Games.
In the coming months we will assist the City in getting the word out regarding the construction schedules and information to help businesses impacted by the construction.
But, before the construction actually begins, DVBIA members have one opportunity to review and comment on the new designs for the street.
Please schedule time to visit the City of Vancouver's Granville Street Redesign Project Open House on Wednesday, January 23 from 12-1:30pm and 4:30-7pm at the Pacific Centre Atrium located at the corner of Howe and Granville streets.
Promotional posters and postcards have been distributed to Granville Street merchants. If you didn't receive them, contact us at 604-685-7811 and some will be dropped off. We'd like to get as many people as possible to attend the open house to share their opinions.
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AMBASSADOR EXPANSION GIVEN GREENLIGHT |
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 At one of the last Vancouver City Council meetings of 2007, the DVBIA's proposal to expand the Downtown Ambassador® program got the green light to proceed. This means both the current service levels in the DVBIA's 90-block area could increase and other BIAs that don't have the service could opt in.
"We applaud City Council's bold initiative to be the first city in Canada to implement the recommendations of the Law Commission's Report on the Future of Policing which promotes the spectrum of policing from individuals, to Ambassadors, to community groups, to the police," says Charles Gauthier, Executive Director of the DVBIA.
"Expansion of the Ambassadors' program both meets the goals of the DVBIA and the City's Project Civil City in helping address homelessness, panhandling and the open drug market while taking the bigger picture perspective that many organizations have a role to play in keeping our streets safe and inviting for all."
The DVBIA is currently working with city staff to implement Council's decision. It is hoped the expansion would take place in early Spring.
The Downtown Ambassadors® are one of the most recognizable and highly rated services/programs the DVBIA offers according to our independently conducted member and general public surveys. The Ambassadors offer a broad spectrum of services from crime prevention, hospitality, community safety, to a regular presence on our streets.
For more information about expansion of the Downtown Ambassadors®, read the FAQ.
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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
THE DVBIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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 If you have a keen interest in downtown issues, previous experience with committees or boards, and occupy a leadership role within your company, you should let the DVBIA Nominating Committee know that you'd like to be considered as a future candidate to fill a vacancy on the DVBIA's Board of Directors.
While the Association does not have a vacancy currently, it is always seeking expressions of interest from members in good standing willing to serve a two-year term on its Board. You'd be required to commit adequate time to prepare and attend a minimum of six Board of Directors' meetings per year, serve on one of the associations' standing committees and attend membership events.
The Board of Directors is a dedicated team working to achieve the Association's goals and mission to champion a vibrant, healthy and diverse downtown.
The Directors collectively represent the DVBIA membership of 8,000 businesses downtown and are responsible for governance and leadership. This includes setting direction for key strategic priorities to advance the Association's mission and creating value in the member-driven programs and services in the areas of advocacy, crime prevention, marketing, cleanliness and beautification.
If this future opportunity appeals to you, contact Charles Gauthier, Executive Director, at 604-685-7811 or by e-mail to charles@downtownvancouver.net for more information. |
5TH ANNIVERSARY CELTICFEST
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PROMISES TALENT GALORE
 Tickets go on sale February 6 for Vancouver's biggest Celtic festival set to celebrate its fifth anniversary with a spectacular line-up. From March 12 to 16, 2008, the 5th Annual Edgewater Casino CelticFest Vancouver will bring visitors and locals together for an extraordinary celebration of Celtic performance and culture, featuring hundreds of gifted performing artists from around the world and at home.
There are more than 50 events at dozens of popular venues - including two outdoor stages along Granville Street and a new stage at Canada Place in downtown Vancouver. Headliners this year come from around the world and include Scotland's Battlefield Band, Tony McManus, Steafan Hannigan (Northern Ireland), Wendy MacIsaac & Patrick Gillis (Cape Breton), Spirit of the West, plus the international supergroup The Celtic Fiddle Festival (Ireland, Brittany, France & Quebec).
And, mark March 16 on your calendar for the ever-so-popular St. Patrick's Day Parade
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CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF
WITH CHERRY JAM ON MARCH 25
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 On Tuesday, March 25, Downtown Vancouver celebrates the return of Spring with Cherry Jam, a multi-faceted event kicking off the DVBIA-sponsored 2008 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.
Between 12-1:30pm, drop by the canopy of blossoms downstairs at the Burrard Street skytrain station for a free concert featuring taiko drumming and dueling, Blossom Brass, Suzka Gypsy Jazz Violin and more.
In addition to the tree talks and walks and cherry blossom trolley tours, new this year are bike the blossoms tours, the BC blossom watch photo contest, workshop and exhibition, and the cherry tree planting and dedication of the Festival's new home at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
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| UNIQUE URBAN EXPERIENCE |
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 You'll see downtown Vancouver in a new light in February, when UK-based Canadian choreographer Carolyn Deby returns to Vancouver with her unique brand of ground-breaking site-specific performance. Imbolc {in the belly} will lead audiences on a traveling urban performance experience around a sequence of downtown Vancouver locations hosting events and installations, in an investigation of the human relationship to nature within the urban environment.
The work follows the massive critical and popular success of city:skinned which took audiences at the 2006 Dancing on the Edge Festival around the Downtown Eastside. So dress appropriately, and get ready for what promises to be an extraordinary experience!
The show runs Tuesday to Saturday from Friday February 1 - Saturday February 16 at 8pm starting from the Roundhouse Community Centre, Davie at Pacific.
Tickets $24/$18 students and seniors from Tickets Tonight 604 231 7535 or www.ticketstonight.ca. For info call (604) 606-6400 or see www.thedancecentre.ca
Co-presented by The Dance Centre and the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad
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