I’m back! Last time I wrote I was en route to South Africa to attend the 2025 World Town Leadership Summit with the International Downtown Association. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have connected with leaders from around the world (five different continents!) to discuss how our cities are evolving and share real solutions to move downtowns forward.

Downtown Cape Town has more in common with downtown Winnipeg than I could have imagined. There’s a thriving restaurant scene and it’s where people gather to connect, celebrate, share ideas and be inspired. Both of our neighbourhoods, like so many downtowns, are also grappling with social challenges and public safety. Together, we shared ideas and asked ourselves, how do we solve issues in our communities that seem insurmountable?

Over the course of the week, some of the answers became clear. Information sharing, communication and coordination are all critical. Every level of government, service agency, community partner and the private sector all need to be aligned and moving in the same direction. That’s how real change happens. Of course, funding always comes up and I stand firm that investment in a strong downtown, provides a greater return for the entire city and province. It’s basic math. As always, we advocate on your behalf on the issues that matter, and we’ll continue working with our partners to create lasting change in downtown Winnipeg. (And if you know me, we’re going to have fun while we do it!)

With all that said, I’m back to business – which is your business.

Our teams are in full swing preparing for the 2025 Downtown Spring CleanUp and the Winnipeg Whiteout, making sure downtown is clean and ready for the surge of fans and visitors. The Wawanesa Enviro Team is out daily, cleaning public spaces to get downtown game-ready. Easy to spot in orange, our Downtown Ambassadors will be welcoming visitors and extra eyes and ears on the street.

We know businesses are excited to be part of playoff action and are putting their best foot forward. Downtown is where the action is, and we’re proud to stand with the people and businesses at the heart of it all.

We're just two weeks away from the 2025 Downtown Spring CleanUp, presented by Manitoba Hydro and sponsored by Wawanesa!

This year, we’re adding some new elements to make your experience seamless and fun. Enjoy some snacks, activities, live music and an opportunity to connect with the community. After we kick things off at Manitoba Hydro Place, we’ll shuttle you to (and from!) your designated zone so you can get to work and have some fun doing it. We’ll have designated CleanUp Hubs in all zones—your home base to grab cleaning kits, special instructions and check in with our team for anything you need.

And that’s not all - we’re bringing back the Best CleanUp Crew award! The team that brings the most creativity and enthusiasm will take home some great prizes—and bragging rights, of course. So, round up your team, throw on your best creative gear, and let’s make this year’s CleanUp one to remember. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you there!

Date: Thursday, May 1
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. *doors open at 9 a.m.
Meetup Location: Manitoba Hydro Place (360 Portage Avenue)
Registration closes Thursday, April 24 @ 11:59 p.m.

TEAM UP FOR THE CLEANUP

Congratulations to ALT Hotel Winnipeg on 10 amazing years downtown!

Since opening on April 29, 2015, as the first of its kind in the Western provinces, ALT Hotel Winnipeg has become a key part of our vibrant Sports, Hospitality, and Entertainment District (SHED), welcoming fans and visitors from around the world.

Our team has had the pleasure of hosting team meetings and member events at ALT and we’re always greeted with a warm welcome and excellent service.

Thank you for a decade of dedication to our vibrant downtown. Here’s to celebrating this milestone—and many more to come!

LEARN ABOUT ALT HOTEL

Downtown is buzzing with Stanley Cup playoffs energy—and there's no better place to soak it in than at our unique and diverse restaurants and bars!

To help fans make the most of game days, we’ve pulled together a list of exclusive Winnipeg Whiteout specials happening across downtown.

Thank you to all our members who have shared their special deals, events, and extended hours. Playoff season is a great opportunity to expand your reach, and we’re here to help drive fans through your doors.

The list goes live tomorrow on our website, but there’s still time to be included. Email kristian@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or send us a message on social (@downtownwpgbiz) with your details.

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ