Dear Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Member,

Return to downtown and the Downtown Counts monthly snapshot

We’ve been hearing a lot about the return to downtown this spring and optimism is growing. Last week, we brought our Downtown Winnipeg Farmers’ Market back to Cityplace and saw more people attend than some of the busiest markets we held in 2021!

At the BIZ, not only are we working on our signature events to help bring the energy back, we’re paying special attention to make downtown look its best. We’re also gathering data about who’s coming back and when so we can help BIZ members prepare.

Starting in April, we’ll be sharing a new Downtown Counts snapshot, a roundup of information about the past month’s downtown activity and what we expect lies ahead. We’re looking at parking and pedestrian data, how many workers are returning, and upcoming events.

As a BIZ member, you can be part of this effort. If we work together, we can make the return to downtown a positive experience for everyone.

Are you part of a medium-large organization downtown?

We know it’s important for employees working downtown to have a good experience when they come back to the office. Here’s how the Downtown BIZ can help:

• Call us for some extra cleaning and sprucing up around your building.

• Reach out to arrange a safety presentation for your staff.

• Connect with the BIZ or DCSP to access our free courtesy walk program and encourage your employees to download DCSP’s free app for Apple and Android.

• Let us know if you’d like updates on your favourite restaurants, shops and services in your area.

We need your help, too. Giving small businesses time to prepare, expand their hours, or hire more staff will help them provide a positive experience for your employees. Our goal is to help businesses prepare for what we’re hoping is an influx of people.

We will be sending out a targeted survey that will help us get an idea of return to downtown plans. If you receive the survey, we ask that you fill it out at your earliest convenience.

Are you a restaurant, retail, or personal service business?

As organizations transition employees back to the office, we recognize that downtown businesses need time to prepare to meet this anticipated increase in customer demand.

Our hope is that you can use the information the Downtown Counts snapshot to better prepare your business and marketing efforts. If there’s other information that would be helpful let us know and we’ll try to find it!

You will be able to access this information in this e-newsletter, as well as on our website.

March 15 – Downtown Counts

We’ll be spending the next month gathering meaningful data to track the return to downtown. Here’s what we know so far...

Return to work at downtown offices

A number of downtown employers are working on phased plans to bring back their employees this spring. We don’t anticipate everyone will come back five days a week, but we expect greater activity as we get closer to summer. The following organizations are happy to share that they have already welcomed their employees back:

• In the SHED: True North Sports and Entertainment and TDS Law – over 275 employees combined have returned to the office.

• Broadway-Assiniboine: Cushman & Wakefield Stevenson – 90 staff members returned to the office full time in January.

Get ready for visitors!

Here’s an overview of the upcoming large events:

RBC Convention Centre

• March 21-23: MOVE Dance Competition (2000 expected attendance)

• March 23: Winnipeg Career Fair & Training Expo (1500 expected attendance)

• March 30: Western Retail Lumber Association Showcase (up to 2000 expected attendance)

Canada Life Centre (capacity: 16,345)

• March 26: Jeff Dunham

Winnipeg Jets home games

• March 15: Las Vegas Golden Knights

• March 18: Boston Bruins

• March 22: Las Vegas Golden Knights

• March 24: Ottawa Senators

• March 25: Columbus Blue Jackets

• March 27: Arizona Coyotes

View Manitoba Moose schedule

View Centennial Concert Hall upcoming shows

Burton Cummings Theatre (capacity: 1,638)

• March 15: Bianca Del Rio (few tickets left)

Mask requirement lifts today

As of today, masks will no longer be required to be worn in indoor public spaces. For the time being, our staff at the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ will continue to mask up when working indoors and when physical distancing is not possible. Whether you are keeping a mask policy in place or no longer require them for staff or customers, we support you.

Registration is now open for Earth Day Cleanup Downtown 2022

Organize a team and help clean up our community for Earth Day CleanUp Downtown! Registration is open to Downtown Winnipeg BIZ members, partners and downtown residents. We’ll provide pickers, gloves and garbage bags and you will work as a team to clean up at pre-designated locations. BIZ staff will be there to help you get started. There are limited spots available so register soon.

Event date: April 22
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: various downtown areas
Registration deadline: April 13

Want to help but can’t make the event? Any downtown resident, business owner or employee can register for a complimentary self-guided CleanUp Downtown kit.

More details and the registration link are on our Earth Day CleanUp Downtown page.

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions:
204-958-4640
info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com

Thank you,

Kate Fenske, CEO
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ