What a start to the year! Our team kicked off 2025 with our staff winter party—a chance to gather, reflect, and, most importantly, have fun together while celebrating our hardworking team. The room was full of energy —especially during a heated round of bingo. (I did not win.) And here’s something cool: we learned our team speaks a total of 17 different languages and has travelled to 82 countries! Moments like these remind me how lucky I am to work with such a passionate and diverse team that brings so much heart into everything they do.

A huge thank you to Devil May Care Brewing Company for hosting us, and to Banh Mi King, Capital Grill & Bar, Old Spaghetti Factory and Fête Ice Cream for the delicious meals and treats.

Our big win this month was unveiling the “Returning to Our Roots” mural at the RBC Convention Centre – a project two and half years in the making. It was a powerful celebration of Indigenous culture, community and collaboration. The mural spans over 200 feet and you can check it out on St. Mary Avenue, between Carlton and Edmonton streets.

Now, back to business. Advocating on issues that matter to you is a top priority for us. This month, we’re meeting with provincial decision makers including the Minister of Housing, Addictions & Homelessness, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Finance to discuss priorities the Manitoba government should consider for downtown as it prepares next year’s budget. And on the national level, as Chair of IDA Canada (International Downtown Association), I’m working with my counterparts across the country to push downtown priorities forward ahead of this year’s federal election.

As well, I’m sure you’ve seen the news around potential tariffs – I'm paying close attention, too. We’re having conversations with our peers in Winnipeg and across the country about the impact and how we might help. One of the things we’re focused on is sharing the positive stories of BIZ members who make our neighbourhood vibrant. We’ll continue encouraging everyone to support local and keep a close eye on the situation as it unfolds.

Happy Lunar New Year, everyone!

Our team welcomed the Year of the Snake with the community at the Chinese New Year Celebration Dinner, hosted by the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre (WCCCC) at Kum Koon Garden. During the event, our Public Realm team unveiled this year’s Chinatown Zodiac banners, designed in partnership with Victoria-Albert School and artist Natalie Mark.

It’s a true honour to celebrate Chinatown’s rich cultural heritage and the incredible diversity that makes our downtown so vibrant. The banners will be up in early February until the end of the year.

Thank you to Natalie Mark, the WCCCC, the Winnipeg Arts Council, Victoria-Albert School, and The Sign Source for their support and collaboration on this project.

LEARN MORE

Host It Downtown event grants applications are now open!

Last year, our Host It Downtown program supported 31 incredible events that brought people together and made downtown the place to be. Events attract people to the city’s core and add vibrancy to the neighbourhood, and we’re excited to help make even more happen in 2025.

We’ve simplified the application process, based on what we’ve learned from past applicants, making it easier than ever to host your event downtown. The new process includes a simple form, a high-level event plan (no longer than two pages), and an event budget.

This year, we’re putting a special focus on events taking place in the winter and shoulder seasons. After all, a thriving downtown is a year-round effort, and we’re here to help every step of the way.

You can apply anytime! If you're planning a fall event, we encourage you to apply early. Just be sure to check the deadlines so you don’t miss your chance:

• March 9, 2025, for events occurring May 1 – August 31, 2025
• June 29, 2025, for events occurring September 1 – December 31, 2025
• Nov. 2, 2025, for events occurring January 1 – April 30, 2026

APPLY HERE

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ