Description

Downtown Barrie Unplugged: the present and future progress of Downtown Barrie

We've seen much positive progress in Downtown Barrie these past few years, and there is more on the way. At the heart of this movement, working with all of the partner organizations, the merchants, the residents, and the City, is the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA).

The BIA is an organization that represents over 400 Downtown businesses within the hospitality, service, retail, cultural and health sectors. Its mission is to establish Downtown Barrie as the economically leading mid-size commercial, retail and entertainment community within the city, region, province and country while working within a framework of high quality guiding values that include: provide a safe, clean & comfortable environment; contribute positively to our mutually supporting partners to achieve a sense of Downtown community; utilize marketing & communication to effectively communicate to our stakeholders, partners and customers; develop a product offering that allows us to promote Downtown Barrie as a leading and recognized brand; and, embrace culture, heritage and the waterfront as unique and differentiating business advantages.

Craig has been the Managing Director for the Downtown Barrie Business Association (BIA) for almost 10 years. Prior to his current role, he worked as a management consultant working for businesses in both Canada and the USA; and he has also been involved with two businesses in Downtown Barrie. Opening and managing The Running Room in 1999 as well as opening a kids clothing store - Swanky Kids - with his wife Jody in 2003.

Craig participates on both Tourism Barrie and the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce boards as a community partner and has formal board roles on the Ontario BIA Association, Pathways - to end homelessness and the Barrie Cycling Club. Over the years, Craig has also participated on numerous working committees with Georgian College, MacLaren Art Centre and City of Barrie.

Having grown up in Barrie and now raising 3 boys in Barrie - his motivation is to help contribute to making Barrie a world class city.

If you haven't had the chance to make it out to any of our past CBBs, come and see for yourself what a great opportunity networking can be. Sponsored by The Mortgage Wellness Group, CBBs are held on the first Thursday of each month from 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM. Members are encouraged to bring their flyers, brochures, business cards and other promotional material to share and display. For a nominal charge, a full hot breakfast is served.

Please Register before 2:30pm on the day prior to the event. Registrations after that time may not be accepted.

If you are unable to attend, please call 721-5000 to cancel before 12:00pm on the Tuesday prior to the event. Those who are pre-registered but do not attend and have not canceled will be charged for breakfast.