Summary: Governance issues dominate Board meetings these days and Directors are looking for ways to navigate through the myriad number of compliance issues and get the business of the organization to the top of the agenda. This session will utilize best practices in governance and consider meeting rules of order to effectively and efficiently conduct more productive Board meetings.

Biography: Rick Power's areas of expertise include corporate governance, ethics, business and corporate law and sports marketing. A recognized expert in both Corporate and Not-For-Profit governance, Rick is the National Academic Director of The Directors Education Program and the Not-For-Profit Governance Essentials Program (in partnership with the Institute of Corporate Directors - ICD). He also teaches in Rotman's Executive MBA, OMNIUM, MBA and Executive Education Programs. He is a director of several not-for-profit organizations and frequently comments on legal and governance issues in various media across Canada.

Summary: Over view of the City's 50/50 Capital Cost Share program, including: project eligibility; planning and implementation process as well as the coordination with City and various agencies.

Biography: Rajashree (Raj) Kumar is an architect with several years of experience in implementing commercial, urban improvements as well as managing mid to large scale development projects. She has worked in private sectors internationally, and within various divisions in the City of Toronto. As the City's Capital Projects Co-ordinator/Designer for the east end BIAs, Raj leads the BIAs on their Capital streetscape improvements.

Summary: The Queen St. West BIA's bike stand project is a unique collaboration between the BIA and fourth-year OCAD University design students Evi K. Hui, Olivier Mayrand, and Michael Pham. Working closely with the City of Toronto, an innovative fabrication company, and the students, 14 sculptural student- designed bike stands were produced and installed along Queen Street West.

Biography: As Coordinator of the Queen St. West BIA, Laura Schaefer manages all projects, operations, events and communications initiatives. Previously Laura worked in marketing, knowledge management and employee development for the Air Miles Reward Program and as an assistant fashion buyer for HBC. She is a Board Member of TABIA and a member of its Marketing and Communications Committee.

Summary: This session will cover Downtown Yonge's approach to realizing an impressive track record of capital improvement projects. It will cover planning tools, design approaches, cost sharing and leveraging, and implementation. This session will conclude with a call to action for all BIAs to advocate that the City of Toronto continue to partner with BIAs and not lose sight of the ability to transform our neighbourhoods.

Biography: For over 13 years, James Robinson has been improving the vitality and competitiveness of downtown Toronto. He was previously Streetscape Co-ordinator for the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area (BIA).

In 2000, James was hired to form the Downtown Yonge BIA. He has since served as Executive Director overseeing key strategic areas of clean streets, safe streets, streetscape improvements, research & information, marketing, association management, and advocacy.

James encourages the public to experience the revitalization that is happening in the Downtown Yonge area and take advantage of the excellent business, shopping, and entertainment that the district offers.

Summary: Festivals & Special Events are a great way to create excitement, fun and exposure for your BIA and present an excellent opportunity to engage your local residents and community organizations. This session will include suggestions on working with what you've got as well as some best practices for large and small scale activities.

Biography: Currently the Director of Operations for the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA & Taste of the Danforth, Faiza R. Ansari has been involved with a number of Business Improvement Areas over the last 11 years. Although 2011 will be her 9th year handling all Operations and Logistics for the Taste, she has created and/or implemented more than 200 festivals and special events both large and small, indoors and out, during the last 25 years.

Summary: How do you get your BIA on everyone's radar? What tactics can you use that predate social media? We'll explore the basic options and the required relationships you must build, first.

Biography: After completing her MA in Magazine Journalism, Deborah Etsten spent 30 (whew!) years, mostly working for not-for-profit organizations such as VIA Rail and the YMCA of Greater Toronto. She was the Beach BIA's first Executive Director and helped to create the drama of the infamous debate that still rages: is it Beach or Beaches?!

Summary: In this 40 minute interactive workshop session digital marketer and technologist Daniel Patricio will share his best practices and proven tactics for building passionate communities and effective social media promotions for small businesses and how the BIAs can help.

Biography: Daniel Patricio is a digital marketer, community builder, entrepreneur and founder of Orange Rhino Media, a marketing agency that specializes in social media and connecting brands with their customers online. He has worked with businesses of all shapes and sizes from global brands to local small businesses, helping them build communities of their best customers and align social marketing with business objectives.

Summary: Sustainability and accountability have been touched on briefly throughout the day but what are the next steps. Are there areas where BIAs can move from a board management practice of good to great or better for the sake of your volunteers and your members? A road map to better governance starts the process.

Biography: Wendy Sue Lyttle, CAE, CSP has been in the not-for-profit sector since 1985. Her strategies for member engagement, governance and board management work have her working with professional associations and most recently BIAs in meeting the needs of multiple challenges facing volunteer associations today. She serves on three Boards, a national association, a national foundation and has a provincial government appointment on a management board for a new Provincial Park. She is a graduate of Ryerson University and holds a Stratefic management Certificate with the University of San Diego.