The Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) is a non-profit umbrella organization representing the City of Toronto's 70 Business Improvement Areas who in turn represent more than 27,000 business and property owners.
Objectives of TABIA
To promote strong, effective and successful BIAs in the City of Toronto.
To encourage joint initiatives and collaboration by groups in BIAs on issues and mutually beneficial projects, including studies and research on marketing.
To encourage and facilitate the exchange of information, experiences and ideas among BIAs through such means as newsletters, seminars, workshops for the benefit of BIAs in general, as well as their individual members.
To assist BIAs in pooling their resources to achieve the maximum benefit feasible.
To provide advocacy to influence policies affecting BIAs, and to obtain support funds and services for BIAs from all levels of government, institutions, agencies and other organizations.
To represent the interests of BIAs in government tourism policies and in the implementation of those policies.
TABIA Membership Benefits
For the most up-to-date list of benefits please visit the Membership Benefits menu on the TABIA website.
Advocacy
TABIA works with all levels of government to actively advance the interests of Business Improvement Areas and create an environment in which their members can thrive. Be it parking issues, garbage, safety, taxes, or BIA legislation TABIA strives to look after the best interests of its members.
The following are just some of the many advances made by TABIA:
TABIA/City of Toronto Interdepartmental meetings bring together City staff from various departments and BIAs together so that BIA issues or departmental initiatives can be discussed and resolved before they become problems.
As part of a City of Toronto Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Division initiative, the Job Creation Partnership enables BIAs to obtain additional staffing until March, 2010.
Creation of a simplified annual budget process and shorter wait times for receiving BIA operating funds.
BIAs are now exempt from the city-set fee structure and application frequencies when dealing with banners in designated BIA areas. This has resulted in more manageable BIA banner, floral and seasonal decoration programs and hundreds of dollars in savings for BIAs.
BIAs are covered under the City of Toronto's policy for Public Liability insurance. The $308 average deduction from a BIAs levy covers any liability issues related to festivals, special events and streetscape initiatives and allows BIAs to satisfy the municipality's insurance requirement for up to $5 million coverage around festivals/special events and road closures. Most importantly the $308 covers the $50,000 deductible the city policy caries. To retain this coverage independently would not be economical for most BIAs.
Discounts
TABIA provides tangible financial benefits to its members.
Discounts for Toronto BIA Board Members
Director's & Officer's Liability Insurance
TABIA has secured favourable rates for Director's & Officer's Liability Insurance.
Member BIA Boards can receive coverage under TABIA's policy at a fraction of the going rate. Independently some BIAs have paid between $1,100 and $2,500 annually.
Through this initiative, your board could be covered at a cost of between $250 and $550.
Discounts for Toronto BIA Members
Visa / MasterCard
Through Global Payments Canada Inc. TABIA is able to offer BIA members the following preferred Visa and MasterCard merchant package:
No application fee ($100 savings)
Visa rate - 1.84%
MasterCard rate - 1.91%
Interac fee - 10¢ per transaction
A wide variety of feature-rich dial, IP and wireless Point of Sale (POS) terminals available for purchase, lease or rental
Access your funds as early as the next business day - free
Comprehensive bilingual support available 24/7 Free
A comprehensive employee benefit package designed specifically for the self-employed and employers with one to five employees - including dental, life insurance, and drug plan. Whether your members are mom and pop or have staff, should they need single coverage or family plans this program will allow you to provide them with the options.
With the assistance of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Colleges and the technical expertise of Seneca College TABIA now has a four course program that your BIA can deliver to your on-street membership. The courses are designed with a focus on main street merchants and include: Internal and External Theft, Marketing your Business, Human Resources, and Hiring and Firing.
Website Resources
The TABIA website is your online resource for information about and for Toronto BIAs.
greenTbiz - thinking green & saving green
greenTbiz is a program of TABIA that develops and delivers energy and environmental conservation programs free-of-charge to businesses and properties within the BIAs.
Opportunities for BIA Members:
greenAssist
Interested in a free consultation to find out how you can save money in your business? greenTbiz staff will come to your business, listen to your concerns and suggest energy saving options that will also save you money. greenTbiz focuses on energy-efficient lighting, as it is the best investment for you, but will also investigate other areas where you may have energy and environmental concerns.
Smart Mentoring
Once you have made a positive change through the greenTbiz program, you will be invited to become a Smart Mentor. Smart Mentors share their energy conservation experiences with other BIA members. The benefits of becoming a Smart Mentor include: recognition as an environmental leader on the greenTbiz website; strengthened community trust by demonstrating your business' commitment to environmental excellence; improved employee satisfaction; and increased knowledge about environmental and energy conservation issues.
Energy Efficient Lighting for Street, Pedestrian and Decorative Applications
BIAs have the opportunity to save energy and money through their street, pedestrian and decorative lighting. Through various pilot projects, greenTbiz is exploring the use of dimming technology, PV Solar and LED lamps for BIA exterior lighting.
If you are interested any of the programs mentioned above, please contact:
Chantal Brundage
greenTbiz Program Manager
Telephone: 416-697-9000
E-mail: Chantal@greenTbiz.org
The TABIA City-wide Campaign gives member BIAs the opportunity to promote themselves and their events in local media at a substantial savings. This is made possible through careful negotiations with the media and the generous assistance of our corporate sponsors. See the TABIA City-wide Campaign Promotion Schedule (PDF 39 Kb) for further details.
Each listing includes contact information and a direct link to the BIA's website. The TABIA website also offers an events calendar featuring BIA events and festivals that take place throughout the year. As the TABIA site is linked to the City of Toronto site, members also receive the benefit of that link.
TABIA shares information about BIA events with the City of Toronto Tourism, Economic Development and Special Events departments. BIA events are also featured in our newsletters.
Networking Opportunities
TABIA offers its members many opportunities to connect with their fellow members.
Since 2001 TABIA has coordinated a by-annual National BIA Conference in Toronto to provide member BIAs with the opportunity to share ideas and learn from the experiences of other BIAs, BIDs and Downtown Revitalization Districts from across Canada and the US.
Some 250 delegates participated in the 2009 conference and 25 trades/vendors displayed their BIA-focused wares.
Breakfast Meetings offer a more informal venue for members to meet and learn. Each meeting offers an informative speaker, a light breakfast and an opportunity to chat with fellow members.
Please contact for further information:
John Kiru, Executive Director
Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas
Tel: 416-889-4111
Fax: 416-263-3125
E-mail: jkiru@toronto-bia.com
