PRESIDENT’S MESSAGEYaletown has evolved into a very distinct commercial and residential district with its world class amenities and reputation for leading edge thinking. The Yaletown Business Improvement Association wants to continue building on our success by increasing our direct investment into the district.

The Yaletown BIA has beautified our streets, driven economic development and reduced property tax increases, effectively marketed Yaletown and ensured our streets remain safe and attractive for businesses, employees and customers. Remember 5 years ago when overflowing dumpsters and tow trucks dominated our streets? We worked hard to remove over 60 dumpsters and solve the traffic jams, and now enjoy a cleaner, smoother running district.

Yaletown now enjoys its lowest crime rate in fourteen years, due in large part to the effectiveness of our security and beautification programs. On-street security patrols, partnerships with police and ICBC combined with the most aggressive anti-graffiti program in Vancouver has made a difference. Creating a safe and strong community supports our reputation as a vibrant place to do business, helping to attract new businesses and maintain one of the lowest vacancy rates in Vancouver. Today, the Yaletown BIA is focused on ensuring that Yaletown continues to attract, promote and enhance local properties and businesses well into the future.

The Yaletown BIA is undertaking new initiatives for increased capital investment. Watch for free area WiFi, and more infrastructures such as lighting and furnishings. This strategy will highlight the area’s uniqueness and present opportunities to cohesively implement a tourist marketing plan, bike share program and zero waste program. The Yaletown BIA is also developing a traffic flow plan designed to increase the options of transportation available and ensure that all modes of traffic flow in a healthy pattern. Public bike share, electric vehicle charging stations and pedestrian friendly streets will solidify our destination status. The return on this investment will be immediate and important. Businesses will benefit from new sources of sales and the area will continue to be competitive and attractive.

I have enjoyed each year that I’ve been on the Board of the YBIA. I am proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited about the projects that we have planned for the next 5 years. I want to thank the Board members for their continued support and willingness to volunteer. I know the time commitment it takes, but I think we all find a sense of pride in seeing our ideas turned into reality. Our BIA mandate is due for renewal this year, as the BIA seeks its fifth term. A levy increase will fund current programs and new initiatives like our transportation and tourist marketing plans. We believe the proposed budget and Strategic Plan continues to provide good value to our members by solving problems and investing in our collective future. We look forward to serving Yaletown property owners and businesses for another five years and we are ready to embark on an even greater vision for this district. Please attend the Annual General Meeting and vote for your future.

Neil WylesPresidentYaletown Business Improvement Association

YALETOWN BIA A non-profit organization, the Yaletown Business Improvement Association (BIA) was established in 1999 to provide a united, collective voice for our business district. Since that time we have worked hard to promote and maximize opportunities for the 969 businesses and 536 commercial properties within our geographic area and to ensure that Yaletown remains clean, attractive, vibrant and safe world-class destination.

In the past fourteen years Yaletown has grown into a vibrant commercial and residential district with a diverse mix of world-class retail, restaurants and services. The Yaletown BIA has grown too and is now a mature organization with a long list of accomplishments.

● Installed 40 new street lights making Yaletown safer and more inviting● Saved $390,000 in annual property tax every year for 5 years● Installed 16 litter containers and 10 new street benches for a clean and welcoming area● Reduced street crime to lowest rates in 14 years● Produced award winning events such as Illuminate Yaletown, Taste of Yaletown (8 years), Street Party (7 years), Halloween Howl and Outdoor Movie Night● Hosted 200,000 people per day for 17 days during the 2010 Winter Olympics

Yaletown BIA has focused its efforts on two priority areas:1. Promoting and enhancing Yaletown properties and businesses through:

● Street Beautification● Marketing and Events● Economic Development● Security Patrols

2. Lobbying and advocating for change on behalf of our members.

The Yaletown BIA is an effective voice for our property owners and businesses. We are a founding member of the Fair Tax Coalition, a member of Metro Core planning team and a founding member of the BIA Partnership. We have made numerous presentations to City Council on behalf of our members on issues ranging from commercial taxation, zoning changes, waste management and security patrols to various bylaws and business operations policies.

969 businesses and536 commercial properties within

Yaletown’s boundaries

KEEP YALETOWN BEAUTIFULStreet Beautification

OBJECTIVE: Continue to enhance and upgrade Yaletown, protect our Heritage Districtand keep it clean and welcoming.

Yaletown BIA banners brand the area as Vancouver’s best

Launched the "I heart Yaletown" branding in 2010

The Yaletown Clean Team picks up litter, needles and junk

The Yaletown Beautification Team removes over 250 graffiti tags per year

A clean and tidy area, filled with flowers, brightly coloured banners and sidewalks in good repair says a lot about an area. It says “we care, we notice and we invest”. Yaletown is worth protecting and enhancing for our businesses, staff and customers.

Yaletown’s 22 blocks are cared for and beautified on a daily basis by our Clean Team, Promo Team, planting crew and anti-graffiti team. Regular scheduling of litter and junk pickup, power washing of sidewalks and litter containers, weed removal and the planting of flowers all contribute to a more welcoming Yaletown. The investment and maintenance the Yaletown BIA makes in the physical realm help to keep our reputation as a premiere destination.

THE FUTURE: What can you expect?

HIGH PRIORITY ACTIONS1. Expand the Yaletown Clean Team litter patrol and pick up to 5 days a week.2. Install and maintain hanging flower baskets and planters year round.3. Consistently remove graffiti, gum and weeds in the area.4. Preserve Yaletown’s unique heritage by increasing bricks and specialty sidewalk treatments.5. Enhance Yaletown’s environment by expanding seasonal lighting and decor.

BY THE NUMBERS● 26 additional planters maintained year round

● 17 new litter containers

● 624 hours of street cleaning

● 250 graffiti tags removed on City streets

● 6 truckloads of junk removed

“ A clean and attractive area says we care, we notice and we invest.

ATTRACT VISITORS TO YALETOWNTourism

OBJECTIVE: Develop Yaletown as a tourist destination and have programs in effectspecifically to attract visitors to the neighbourhood.

“ Yaletown now appears as a destination in respected tourism resources such as TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet. These are strong influencers for visitors to plan their trip, and their spending.

BY THE NUMBERS● 15,000 shopping bags handed out

● 100,000 maps distributed

● 300,000 visitors per year

● Hosted over 6,000 conference delegates

Self-guided tours throughout Yaletown highlight Yaletown’s history

The Yaletown Street Promo Team distributes items branded with your business name to international conference delegates visiting Vancouver

Produce events to invite people to the neighbourhood

THE FUTURE: What can you expect?

HIGH PRIORITY ACTIONS1. Create a tourist destination by commissioning a Yaletown gateway and furnishing the area with additional unique street furniture.2. Produce tour guide resources and conference programming.3. Continue to participate in strategic events like Tourism Showcase and focus on targeted outreach to concierge.4. Install additional history boards, maps, and way-finding aids.

Partnered with tourism and travel agencies to position Yaletown as a prime destination

Working with the concierge of Vancouver and Tourism Vancouver has generated thousands of visitors per year to Yaletown. Attending conferences, responding to concierge enquiries and training tour guides are direct marketing efforts that the BIA does that translate into immediate sales.

Yaletown has already begun adding programs and infrastructure to increase our tourism appeal; self-guided tours, physical amenities that emphasize the heritage story, and events that create lasting impressions will all be engaged over the next few years.

SUPPORT YALETOWN BUSINESSESMarketing

shopping, dining & services

free

the only complete yaletown directory and map

Produced by the Yaletown BIA

facebook.com/yaletowninfo @iyaletown

“How effective are mobile searches?

70% of mobile searches lead to online action within an hour.

“Yaletown BIA is continually evolving to capitalize on new markets and new opportunities.

The Yaletown BIA promoted your business in our publications like the printed Yaletown map, online directory, and newsletter. These materials have provided free, effective and widespread exposure for your business and allowed the purchase of display ads at below market rates.

Your business received additional exposure through web posts and event listings on Yaletown BIA’s website which automatically appear on 20 digital advertising screens at no cost, Facebook posts on the Yaletown page and tweets through @iyaletown.

Public events build the brand of a neighbourhood, and help to keep it distinct from other areas. Yaletown events create unique and memorable experiences and keep our area top-of-mind as a fun place to visit. Our events have hosted over 70,000 visitors per year, who flood the area with dining and shopping dollars. Short term events build long term reputation.

Yaletown events include:● Taste of Yaletown ● Illuminate Yaletown● Candytown ● Summer Celebration● Make Music/Fete de la Musique ● Femsport● Outdoor Movie ● Yaletown Grand Prix● Halloween Howl ● Santa Photos

Yaletowninfo.com goes mobile

Yaletown BIA marketing collateral

Online Media Campaign

BY THE NUMBERS● 8 years of Taste of Yaletown

● Events reach 1/3 of Vancouverites

● 160,000 reached on Facebook and 50,000 reached

on Twitter

● Yaletowninfo.com ranks #1 on Google and Yahoo

THE FUTURE: What can you expect?

HIGH PRIORITY ACTIONS1. Continue signature Yaletown events (Candytown, Halloween Howl, Outdoor Movie Night, Taste of Yaletown).2. Launch a Farmers’ Market in Yaletown.3. Continue to produce quality marketing materials and develop the Yaletown BIA mobile site to promote businesses, events and the neighbourhood.4. Invest in a year-long sustained advertising and social media campaign.

OBJECTIVE: Promote Yaletown businesses and events that build business and support the Yaletown brand.

MAKE YALETOWN A GOOD INVESTMENTEconomic Development

THE FUTURE: What can you expect?

HIGH PRIORITY ACTIONS1. Hire urban planners to formulate a transportation

plan, street treatment schematic and capital

improvements for the area.

2. Invest in providing free public WiFi throughout the

area to attract visitors.

3. Keep vacancy rates low by supplying tools to leasing

agents and enquiries.

4. Continue to lobby City for equitable taxes.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTSBY THE NUMBERS

● 98% occupancy rate, the highest occupancy rate in

Vancouver

● Lease rates comparable to Robson St. and Kitsilano

● Transit delivers 7,000 rider per day

● No. 1 brick-and-beam commercial district

Yaletown Area WiFi

Unique street furniture for a unique neighbourhood

Investing in capital improvements that will increase the ROI of the area while adding value to our existing members and properties. Area WiFi, unique street furniture, free parking for motorcycles and a new “electric avenue” of charging stations for electric vehicles.

FORLEASE

CLSLINK.CA

Working with the Real Estate Board of Vancouver and the Economic Development Commission, Yaletown is marketed as a vibrant commerical district that generates a strong ROI. The Yaletown BIA initiative to differentiate the area on CLS helps recruit property owners and tenants within the BIA.Commercial Listing Service

Award winning program

Highly successful and unique partnership supporting area employer, employees and restaurants. This award winning program guaranteed Yaletown restaurants a robust lunch business. This program will be expanded to include even more members.

OBJECTIVE: Continue to influence planning and policy issues that affect the economic health of Yaletown and invest in area infrastructure.

“The BIA is in a unique position to create “curb appeal” for the entire area.

BUILD A STRONGER COMMUNITYSecurity & Partnerships

Building a stronger community

Pink Million donated over $8,500 to the Canadian Cancer Society

BY THE NUMBERS

Our security program is staffed by professionals who are dedicated to keeping Yaletown a safe and positive environment. They are professional witnesses and they are our eyes on the street. The security staff also greet visitors and help members.

The Yaletown BIA has lowered the crime rate by increasing outdoor lighting and repositioning dumpsters to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.

● Raised more than $120,000 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.● Partnered with service groups including Yaletown House, Yaletown Lions and Rotary Club. ● Contributed to Helmcken Park revitalization.● Contributed to Yaletown Park power and water installation.● Elsie Roy School “Rent a Zombie” during Halloween contributed to community volunteer program.● Donations for the Roundhouse Community Centre, Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada, and Chef’s Table Society.

“The BIA is a passionate member of this community. Yaletown is a great place to invest, live and play.

NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIPS

THE FUTURE: What can you expect?

HIGH PRIORITY ACTIONS

● Street crime dropped by 80% in 5 years

● Partnered with ICBC in stolen car recovery program

● Panhandling decreased to lowest rates in 15 years

● Distribute police warnings and scam alerts to over

900 members

1. Hire security personnel to patrol the streets of

Yaletown.

2. Hire additional security personnel during key events

to ensure safety needs are met.

3. Maintain area lighting for improved safety.

4. Encourage increased use of public space by

community groups.

5. Assist members to develop safe and secure

workplaces for staff.

OBJECTIVE: Create and maintain a safe and strong community for Yaletown property owners, businesses, residents and customers.

YALETOWN BIA RENEWALProposed Budget

The Yaletown BIA is due for renewal and requires a new mandate from our members.

Administration $ 219,340

Marketing 91,875

Events 133,350

Street Beautification 111,300

Economic Development 118,985

Security 44,100

Operations 61,050

TOTAL BUDGET $ 780,000

A February 2013 survey showed that 92% of our members support the Yaletown BIA renewing its mandate for another five year term (2014 to 2018) and support increased spending on programs and activities.

The following chart is a current comparison of the proposed Yaletown BIA levy to the levies of other comparable BIAs in Vancouver.

To increase our budget, we will need your support at the Annual General Meeting on June 26, 2013.

The Yaletown BIA will ask you to vote on three major issues:

1. Continuing the Yaletown BIA mandate to preserve, promote and enhance commercial interests and the Yaletown business district for another five-year term from 2014 to 2018.

2. Adopting a budget of $780,000 (4.8% of commercial property tax) for the 2014-2015 year to address increasing demands and to continue our economic development, security, beautification, marketing and events initiatives.

3. Establishing a five-year budget cap of $4,200,000. This means that the maximum the YBIA will be asking for over the next five years will not exceed this amount.

2014 PROPOSED BUDGET

BIA LEVY RATE COMPARISON

8%

28%

12% 17%

14%

15%

6%

Operations

Administration

Marketing

Events

Street Beautification

Economic Development

Security

Business Improvement Area

Number of Blocks Number of Properties

Total Assessed Value

BIA Levy BIA Levy as % of Total Property Tax

Spending per block

Downtown Vancouver 90 3,101 $11,870,941,288 $2,410,733 1.1% $26,785.92Gastown 9 113 $340,778,045 $556,200 9% $61,800.00Robson Street 4 55 $808,635,336 $649,240 4.2% (estimate) $162,310.00West End 26 197 $772,018,451 $708,535 5.1% $27,251.35Yaletown 2014 22 536 $1,095,177,700 $780,000 4.8% $35,454.55

Aisha Maretz Katarina JestadtAndrew Altow Katrina Carroll-FosterBrian Carroll Kelly Santaga Caralee Randell Kim RobertsCarolyn Furze Lori MarcuzChilwin Cheng Luciano GrintiChris Harrison Manny Riebeling Chris Breikss Marc Baragar Christina McDaniel Marco BironClaudine Copak Mathew LeeColin Kingsmill Mercedes Wong Courtney Baker Michael LaPrairieCurtis Redel Michele JessomeDan Tidsbury Mike Deas-DawlishDaniel Craig Neil WylesDavid Liebe Nicholas GandossiDavid Hutchison Orvis NoelDavid Duprey Pauline SandlandDavid Scammells Renate MorellDawn Li Rick MomsenDean Gensell Robert Giustra Deanna Geisheimer Robert PhillipsElizabeth Clay Robert McGibbonEric Thomsen Robert WilsonFred Aknin Rob BijokGarcie Wong Sam FernandoGiovanni DiMarino Stephen HaleGrant Axworthy Steven KummerHafiz Thobani Susan WallaceHannah Kan Svetlana FouksJane McFadden Ted GaisfordJay Garnett Tony ChiangJean Paul Lamb Wendy DerzaiJill Brand Wendy GalatiJoe Randle Wendy LindvikJohn Hunt William Li

003 - 1290 Homer Street Vancouver BC V6B 2Y5Phone: (604) 683-7473

Email: projects@yaletowninfo.com

It was a natural choice to setup shop in Yaletown, as it is a dynamic village

atmosphere within a world class city.

- Andrew, 285 digital I would like to thank the YBIA for being so supportive of our convention. You made our attendees feel important

and welcomed.- Carol, DUAS

It was a terrific day. Once again, my whole family participated, and

we all agreed: we’ll happily be back next year.

- Tricia, Resident

YALETOWN BIABOARD OF DIRECTORS

1999 - 2013

Mark your calendar: Attend the Annual General Meeting on June 26, 2013

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