As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped to shape our city in a significant way. Before we ring in the New Year, the BIZ takes a moment to look back on the year that was and what has been accomplished in the heart of our city in 2012.

The tireless work of one of Winnipeg’s downtown advocates, Stefano Grande, Executive Director of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, was celebrated at the BIZ’s last board meeting in 2012, where Councillor Jenny Gerbasi presented him with a prestigious honour – the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

owntown shoppers have yet another reason to get fired up this holiday season – as they will get a unique opportunity to “be the hand” tending the Yule log on the MTS TV Fireplace.

A world-renowned art gallery, a historic and truly iconic Winnipeg hotel, and a little shoe repair shop on Graham Avenue, were among nine local businesses and institutions that were honoured in 2012 with Downtown BIZ Achievement Awards for their socio-economic contributions to downtown Winnipeg.

This fall, the Downtown BIZ and Take Pride Winnipeg! are putting a new face to the efforts to keep downtown clean! Unveiled on November 7th at 246 Portage Avenue, the BIZ’s Metro Enviro Man shared his “101 Reasons Not to Litter” list, encouraging the public to keep our city clean and green.

A torch is being passed down, as the Downtown BIZ Outreach program officially passed its role on to the Downtown Winnipeg Police Service Cadets today.

50 CEOs SLEPT OUT DOWNTOWN AND RAISED $111,595 FOR HOMELESS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

Downtown Winnipeg – Imagine if your commute to work/play was only five minutes. What would you do with your morning? Downtown residents, office workers and visitors now have an abundant resource at their fingertips, as the official Downtown Living Website (www.myplaceisdowntown.com)