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MEMBERS MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, April 11th, 2024 4pm-5pm
Location: Robert Q Traval & by Zoom
ITEMS:
1. London Chamber of Commerce, Graham Henderson CEO
2. London Children’s Business Fair, Eric Brown Infinity School
3. Old South Community Organization update, Nico Philips President
4. Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor Update
5. Leading Women & Leading Girls Award Nominations > Peggy Sattler, MPP London West
6. Canada Summer Jobs Job Sharing
7. FedDev Old South Beautification Grant > Planter Boxes & Illumination
8. Experience Ontario Grant > Buskerfest
9. OSBA Communications & Memberships report
10. Summer Sunday Farmers Market in the village
11. Successful Robert Q Travel OSBA code Promo: 54 sales!
12. Other Business Community Happenings
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Summary
1. London Chamber Of Commerce, Graham Henderson CEO
About the LCOC & what they do: Advocating plus growth with networking events.
LCOC is made up of mostly small businesses but has many anchor members such as Western, LSHC and the City of London.
Events they put on:
- Business After 5: Monthly networking event at rotating businesses. The next one is the biggest of the year. April 18th 5pm to 7pm @ the Beer kitchen at the Factory with 50 exhibitors (usually there are 10 exhibitors) 200 to 300 attendees expected. (Graham has invited any business person from Old South to go for free to this next one but registering is required. If you’d like to go, reply to this email to RSVP.)
- Business Achievement Awards gala event sept 25th at RBC Place
- State of the City: (Formerly Breakfast with the Mayer), normally in January
- Speed networking 3 or 4 times a year at a meeting center.
- Summer Golf Tournament at Sunningdale.
- Ask the experts with a speaker panel.
LCOC Membership is $550
https://www.londonchamber.com/
2. London Children’s Business Fair, Eric Brown Infinity School
- The OSBA is a proud sponsor.
- For entrepreneurs between the ages of 7 and 14 the morning of May 4th.
- It's an opportunity to bring a vision to life for real customers and young local entrepreneurs. Do you know someone up for the challenge? Get more information and apply here: www.childrensbusinessfair.org/londonontario
3. Old South Community Organization Update, Nicole Phillips President
> www.oscolondon.ca website has been updated and looks different.
> There has been an increase in violence cases in Old South. OSCO will be connecting with
London Police about this.
> April 20th the Thames River Clean Up / Clean and Green event starts at 9am at Charles Hunt Park (Carfrae Park) to pick up garbage. Looking for more volunteers.
> Halloween In The Village organizing committee is lhosting a volunteer info event Wed April 17th 6:30pm to 8pm at the Landon Library with coffee & treats. Presentation at 7pm. www.hitv.ca
> Sat April 27: Old South Artisan & Vendor Market (Facebook page)
> Sat June 1: Gathering On The Green, volunteer & vendor applications up now on the
website. (Application page)
4. Skylar Franke, Ward 11 City Councillor Update:
> As of Tuesday, the east-side sidewalk on the new Victoria Bridge is open to
pedestrians and cyclists and the temporary pedestrian bridge will be taken down, if it
isn’t already. The whole bridge project should be done later this summer.
> Vacant Buildings: Skylar is putting together a list of vacant buildings in Old South to
share with the fire department so they can check the buildings monthly to make sure
they’re safe. If you know of any vacant buildings or suspect a vacant building in Old
South, Please email Skylar. sfranke@london.ca.
5. Leading Women & Girls Awards Nominations > Peggy Sattler MPP London West
> Call for nominations for Peggy’s Leading Women and Leading Girls program.
(Deadline April 15th & awards presented in May) This is to acknowledge the inspiring
contributions of women and girls who are leading change in our community (in non
traditional careers, promoting equality, diversity and healthy equal relationships,
leading events or organizations. Nominate a woman or girl who deserves to be
recognized. 2 letters of support are required, one of them can be from the nominator.
More info: https://www.peggysattler.ca/lwlg
GRANTS & ADVOCACY
6. Canada Summer Jobs Job Sharing: 2 full-time students April 22nd to Aug 31 (Submitted & pending approval)
7. FedDev Old South Beautification Grant > Planter Boxes & Illumination: Flower filled planter boxes & illumination of architectural treasures in the Wortley Village Business District 2025-2029. (Submitted & pending approval)
> Planter boxes with Viridity Landscaping: 12-14 units, $21,000 Planter boxes, $2500/yr plants, $13k/yr Maintenance, and $1k for storage. Total for 5yrs = $135k
> Illumination with EverLit Outdoor Lighting Solutions: Low voltage colour changing outdoor LED lights permanently affixed to historical buildings to highlight the character and charm & provide added security, 5yr warranty = $114k
8. Experience Ontario Grant > Buskerfest: Application sent to match funds raised for another Buskers festival. Submitted & pending approval. The event is not confirmed as of yet.)
OSBA REPORTS
9. Communications & Memberships Report
Communications
FB page followers: 3700+ (last month: 3600+)
FB group members: 1500+ (last month: 1500+)
Mailchimp: Recipients: 351 (last month: 339)
Open Rate: 67% = 221 opens (for last month’s Meeting Minutes blast > Previously: 52.9%)
Google Business Profile: 197 profile views (April 8th report)
Memberships
# of members: 54 (Last month: 50)
Past month new members, welcome to:
> Jessica Little & Crave Aesthetics London
> Eric Chevalier & Old South Optometry
> Helen Weiler & Robert Q Travel
> Andrea DeKay & Flux Pottery
BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS:
10. Summer Sunday Farmers Market in the Village: In conjunction with Fanshawe College & Valumart.
(Dave McKenna has confirmed 3 students could handle executing the draft plan.)
(Branden, new owner at ValuMart considering involvement)
11. Successful Robert Q Travel OSBA Code Promo
The OSBA ran a promo campaign by e-blast and social media with our partners including the Old South Community Organization, Ward 11 City Councillor Skylar Franke and other groups. With a promo code of “OSBA” there was a 15% discount on Robert Q travel to either the Toronto or Detroit airports and it was a big success with 54 bookings.
12. Other Business Community Happenings From Those in Attendance:
> Carlos from the London Martial Arts Centre: Offering a free week for moms for Mother’s Day, and they have a promotion of 30 days for $19 otherwise. They can offer memberships for benefit raffles / community events.
> Marcia with Revel Realty: Hosing a business mixer May 9th at 190 Wortley Road 5:30-8:30
> Angie and Kriste from Mylie Real Estate Group: Office opening will be this month. They will offer coffee and dog treats when people pop by and a big grand opening party is coming soon. They are actively looking into ways to support the community, including adding dog waste stations in Old South.
> Jeff from Old South Pub: Will be offering free pancakes and coffee for those that helped with the OSCO Clean & Green event April 20th.
> Ali from Modern Aesthetics: Just moved to Wortley Road from Downtown. They offer medical aspects and injectables, laser, all facials with complimentary sauna session for Mother’s Day. They have 2 makeup artists and a big open house with prizes, dj, bartender etc coming in May or June.
> Ryan from Turf Pro: They’re getting busy. They do small to large projects including design/build landscaping work.
> Craig with bluelephant.ca Promotional Marketing: Suggested everyone that attends the OSBA meetings bring business cards for a business card exchange for coffee meets ups.
OSBA info cards, pens & outdoor stickers available upon request.
- If you would like any of the following just let us know through www.OldSouthBA.com:
> An OSBA sticker 5.5in x 2.5in that can withstand being outdoors for your business.
> OSBA info cards to give to someone conducting business in Old South who may want to join.
> OSBA pens, because they’re great! :)
NEXT MEETINGS:
- Member’s Meeting: Thu May 9th, 4pm @ Pickle Barrel at 387 Wellington Rd in the London Knights Room.
- Business Mixer: Thu June 13th 4:30-6pm @ Old South Pub (Free hors d'oeuvres & first drink)
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