Exeter BIA Strategic Planning (2018-2021)

MEMBER FEEDBACK #1

The Exeter Business Improvement Area (BIA) is undergoing a Strategic Planning process in 2017 and we want to hear from YOU! The last Strategic Plan (2010-2012) had a 90% completion rate and YOU could help provide direction for the next 4 years! Please take a moment to answer the following questions to help us determine our priorities.

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* 1. The BIA has a mandate to market & beautify Exeter’s commercial districts as a business, shopping & service destination. We work to create a thriving, competitive & safe business area to attract shoppers, diners, visitors & new businesses.

Do you feel that the BIA is successful to date in meeting its mandate?

	Very Successful	Successful	Neutral	Unsuccessful	Very Unsuccessful
How successful is the BIA in meeting it's mandate?	How successful is the BIA in meeting it's mandate? Very Successful	How successful is the BIA in meeting it's mandate? Successful	How successful is the BIA in meeting it's mandate? Neutral	How successful is the BIA in meeting it's mandate? Unsuccessful	How successful is the BIA in meeting it's mandate? Very Unsuccessful

Please explain:

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* 2. The BIA has a mandate to promote Exeter's commercial districts. Over the past few years, the BIA has worked to add the following promotional initiatives:
· Joint-marketing projects (ie. South Huron Map + Guide, Coupon Book)
· Joint-marketing events (ie. Ladies Night Out, Sidewalk Sales)
· Community event support (ie. Christmas Festival, Rodeo, etc.)
· Campaigns (Construction Sucks, Holiday Shopping, etc.)
· Print Advertising (ie. Grand Bend Visitor Guide, Bach Festival Program, etc.)
· BIA Website
· Digital Sign (Main & Thames)
· Social media promotion (ie. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

Under the mandate of marketing, where do you think we have the most opportunity? Please select your top 3 preferred opportunities.

Television

Radio

Newspaper

Publications (Grand Bend Visitor Guide, Huron Perth Boomers Magazine, etc.)

Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)

Online (website, blogs, advertising, Google, TripAdvisor, videos)

Events

Digital Sign (Main & Thames)

Other (please explain below)

Please explain markets (local, London, Stratford, vacationers/tourists, etc.) that we should be targeting, along with any other specifics / further ideas below:

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* 3. The BIA has a mandate to beautify Exeter's commercial areas. Since the last BIA Strategic Plan in (2010-2012), the BIA has worked on the following beautification and streetscape initiatives:

· Flowers – hanging baskets, planters & bridge flowers (started as the primary funder, now a cost-sharing venture with the Municipality and Communities in Bloom)
· Community entrance signs (East, South & West)
· Parking signage for Municipal parking lots
· Decorative Christmas lights on street poles
· Street pole banners
· New decorative street poles in the heritage core
· Development of the Exeter Community Improvement & Streetscape Design Plan

Under the mandate of beautification, where do you think we have the most opportunity? Please select your top 3 preferred opportunities.

Flowers

Street Pole Banners

Decorative lights on street poles (ie. Christmas Lights)

Tree Canopy on Main Street

Directional signage

Parking signage

Rear parking lot improvement

Alleyway improvement (from rear parking lots to Main Street)

Façade improvement

Clean streets program (reduction in garbage, etc.)

Street furniture (benches, garbage / recycling units, bike racks, etc.)

Use of public space (ie. Parkette, MacNaughton Park, etc.)

Public art installments

Accessibility (helping businesses become more accessible)

Implementation of the Incentive Programs from the Exeter Community Improvement & Streetscape Design Plan

Other (please explain below)

Please explain or suggest other beautification ideas:

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* 4. The BIA has a mandate to support economic development in Exeter. Over the past few years, the BIA has worked on the following economic development initiatives:
· Tourism (Welcome Centre, publication development, enhancing the visitor experience, etc.)
· Support for workforce development (workshops, training, etc.)
· Business retention
· Active participation in the Thames Road Corridor Study
· Active participation in the South Huron Economic Development Advisory Committee
· Strong partnerships with the Municipality of South Huron, the South Huron Chamber of Commerce & other community organizations as well as the County of Huron & regional / provincial organizations

The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) says that economic development is an increasing activity of BIA’s across the province.

Under the mandate of economic development, where do you think we have the most opportunity? Please select your top 3 preferred opportunities.

Tourism (Welcome Centre, publication development, enhancing the visitor experience, etc.)

Business retention

New Business attraction

Resident attraction

Workforce development

Data analysis (understanding business mix, customer demographics, employment, etc.)

Leveraging regional programs and funding opportunities

Other (please explain below)

Please explain or suggest other economic development ideas:

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* 5. The BIA is also responsible for further servicing the membership in the following ways:
· Networking / member events (ie. Breakfast with the Mayor, Excellence Awards Gala, etc.)
· Disseminating relevant information to the membership
· Advocating for the local business economy
· Increase visitation to the BIA area
· Support for local business (marketing, training, etc.)
· Manage the money that is collected by members through a special BIA levy

Under member services, where do you think we have the most opportunity? Please select your top 3 preferred opportunities.

Networking / member events

Disseminating relevant information to the membership

Advocating for the local business economy

Increase visitation to the BIA area

Support for local business (marketing, training, etc.)

Other (please explain below)

Please explain or suggest other member services ideas:

Exeter BIA Strategic Planning (2018-2021)

MEMBER FEEDBACK #1

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* 6. Where are you located in Exeter (north end, downtown, etc.)? What sector do you represent?

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* 7. Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions above! If you have any other questions or comments, please provide below.