“Main Streets in Bloom: BIAs Rooted in Purpose” to showcase Niagara’s heart and spirit

St. Catharines, ON: April 19 to 22, 2026 — The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) has announced that the 2026 BIA Conference will be hosted in Downtown St. Catharines. This annual gathering brings together hundreds of delegates from across Ontario and Canada, including BIA leaders, small business owners, municipal staff, and elected officials, to exchange ideas, share best practices, and celebrate the strength of Main Streets.

The 2026 theme, “Main Streets in Bloom: BIAs Rooted in Purpose,” reflects the resilience, growth, and creativity of Ontario’s downtowns, and no place tells that story better than St. Catharines, known as the Garden City. While St. Catharines will serve as the host city, the conference will also showcase the Niagara Region as a whole, with tours and experiences highlighting communities from Lincoln and Thorold to Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, and beyond.

“The BIA Conference brings together a community of passionate professionals working behind the scenes to support small businesses and help our Main Streets flourish,” said Kat Dodge, Executive Director of the St. Catharines Downtown Association. “It has long been our vision to welcome this event to St. Catharines, and we are proud to work with the City and our neighbours across Niagara to ensure delegates experience the best of our region.”

Downtown St. Catharines offers the perfect backdrop for this national spotlight. With more than 500 businesses, it serves as Niagara’s urban growth centre and a hub of culture, education, and community. The city is home to two post-secondary institutions, Brock University and Niagara College, and a diverse, growing population. St. Catharines’ story is one of resilience and innovation: the final terminus of the Underground Railroad, home to Canada’s oldest continuous Indigenous trail, a tourism gateway to Niagara Falls, and close to Toronto and the U.S. border. Today, new residential developments, thriving cultural venues, and strong community partnerships are helping the city step boldly into its future.

“We are proud to welcome the 2026 BIA Conference to St. Catharines,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe. “We look forward to connecting with BIA members from municipalities across Ontario to exchange ideas, and highlight how our city brings together culture, commerce, and community, as the urban centre of the Niagara Region.”

A Unique Homecoming

This year’s conference also carries a special connection to St. Catharines. Rachel Braithwaite, now Executive Director of OBIAA, previously served as Executive Director of the St. Catharines Downtown Association. During her

time in Niagara, she worked closely with the City of St. Catharines, the Town of Lincoln. and local partners to successfully bid for St. Catharines to host the BIA Conference.

“It’s a unique homecoming,” Dodge said. “Rachel helped plant the seeds for this moment, and now, in her role leading OBIAA, she returns to see the BIA Conference bloom right here in St. Catharines.”

“OBIAA is excited to bring the BIA Conference to Niagara,” said Rachel Braithwaite, Executive Director of OBIAA. “St. Catharines is close to my heart, and I’m thrilled that delegates will experience not only its vibrant downtown but also the way BIAs across Niagara work together. This region embodies the innovation and resilience of Ontario’s Main Streets from its deep history to its bold new initiatives. It is the perfect scene for collaboration, inspiration, and growth.”

A Premier Opportunity for Sponsors

The BIA Conference is not only a chance to learn and connect, but it is also a platform for organizations to gain unmatched visibility. Sponsors will have the opportunity to showcase their business or brand directly to hundreds of delegates from across Ontario and Canada, including municipal leaders, economic developers, and Main Street champions.

“Sponsoring the BIA Conference is a unique opportunity to put your business in front of the people who shape Ontario’s downtowns,” added Dodge. “It’s more than a logo — it’s about being part of a movement to strengthen small businesses, build resilient communities, and help our Main Streets bloom.”

The call is now open for speakers, sponsors, and trade show exhibitors:

• Speaker Proposals accepted until September 26, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST
• Sponsorship Opportunities range from $1,000 to $8,500, including signature opportunities such as Awards Champion ($8,500), providing visibility throughout the four-day conference
• Exhibitors representing tech, marketing, placemaking, entertainment, business tools, and Main Street products are invited to participate

The 2026 BIA Conference will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, a bustling trade show, and mobile tours throughout Niagara’s escarpment and businesses, all designed to inspire, connect, and equip delegates to strengthen Main Streets across Ontario and beyond.

For more information about speaking opportunities, sponsorship, or exhibiting, visit obiaa.com/conference.

Conference Contact

Kenneshia Duffus
Events Manager
Ontario BIA Association
📞 905-271-7222
✉️[email protected]

Media Contact

Kat Dodge
Executive Director
St. Catharines Downtown Association
📞 905-685-8424
✉️[email protected]