Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association

What Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association does

The Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association (DSBIA) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization founded in 2003 (originally as the Whalley Business Improvement Area, renamed in 2007) and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It was established by special bylaw of Surrey City Council and currently represents over 1,400 member businesses and property owners within the downtown Surrey catchment. DSBIA's mandate was renewed in 2023 for a five-year term through March 31, 2028, and a further seven-year renewal vote is underway in 2025-2026.

DSBIA's core offerings are organized around area enhancement, safety, member services, economic development, and government advocacy rather than technology products. Its programs include a Business Directory across 100+ categories, a Signature Events portfolio (Surrey Fest Downtown, Surrey Fusion Festival, The Long Long Table, Movies Under the Stars, Gingerbread Village, Pay It Forward Surrey, Festive Frames, Summer of Soccer), a Bike Patrol program operated by GuardTeck Security Monday through Saturday, a Graffiti Removal program delivered with GDL Property Services, a Clean Streets litter program with Surrey Community Services Society, and an ICBA Benefits group health/dental/retirement offering. Publications include the monthly Its News Downtown newsletter, the quarterly The New View and City Centre Scene (combined 1.5 million impressions annually), an Economic Development Podcast featuring major developers, a Restaurant Guide, and Research Reports (e.g., SFU Medical School impact analysis).

The organization is funded primarily through mandatory annual membership levies on businesses and property owners within its defined boundary, with an affiliate referral stream from the ICBA Benefits partnership. DSBIA engages all three levels of government on transit (Skytrain extension, Bus Rapid Transit), public safety, and development policy, and maintains liaison with Surrey RCMP District 1 through the Whalley Integrated Services Team and Crime Reduction Strategy meetings. Strategic anchor relationships include the City of Surrey, Simon Fraser University, Lark Group, CIBC, Coast Capital, PCI Developments, Central City Shopping Centre, and the Civic Hotel. Leadership transitioned in March 2026 with Madeleine Nicholls appointed CEO (previously COO) succeeding Elizabeth Model after 17 years, and Perminder Tung assuming the Board Chair role.

Name

Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association

Legal name

Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association

Website

https://downtownsurreybia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association (DSBIA) is a non-profit, bylaw-established Business Improvement Area representing 1,400+ businesses and property owners in downtown Surrey, BC. It delivers member services — bike patrol, graffiti removal, signature events, business directory, advocacy, and publications — funded primarily through mandatory annual membership levies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Improvement Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises (BPAGALAO), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

Keywords

• Business improvement association
• Urban district management
• Member advocacy services
• Community event management
• Public safety programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Surrey

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Levies: The DSBIA is funded through membership levies paid by over 1,400 businesses and property owners in the downtown Surrey area. The association underwent renewal in 2023 for an additional five year term (ending March 31, 2028), with votes on the levy for the next seven years.
2. ICBA Benefits Partnership: Partnership with ICBA Benefits to offer employee health, dental and retirement benefits to members, generating revenue through the partnership while providing member value.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association is a non-partisan, not-for-profit membership organization representing over 1,400 businesses and property owners in downtown Surrey, BC. It sells member services including a public-safety Bike Patrol program, a Graffiti Removal program, a Clean Streets litter program, an ICBA Benefits group health/dental/retirement program, signature community events (Surrey Fusion Festival, Movies Under the Stars, Gingerbread Village, The Long Long Table, Pay It Forward Surrey, etc.), an online Business Directory, member publications and podcasts, and government advocacy on behalf of the downtown business community.

Product overview

The Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association (DSBIA) operates as a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization representing over 1,400 member businesses. Rather than offering a unified technology product, the DSBIA provides a portfolio of member services and community programs including: a Business Directory for local business discovery; an ICBA Benefits Program offering group health, dental, and retirement plans; security programs such as Bike Patrol and Graffiti Removal; a Signature Events Program featuring annual festivals and community gatherings; publications including The New View newsletter, an Economic Development Podcast, and Research Reports; and community initiatives like the Restaurant Guide and Sustainable Surrey environmental resources. The DSBIA's offerings are organized around economic development, member support, community engagement, and area enhancement rather than a traditional product-platform architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Directory A searchable online directory of member businesses operating within the Downtown Surrey BIA area, organized by 100+ categories including accounting, retail, food and dining, professional services, automotive, health and wellness, travel, and more. Open to the public to discover downtown Surrey businesses.
• Signature Events Program An annual portfolio of community events that drive foot traffic and visibility for member businesses, including Surrey Fusion Festival, The Long Long Table, Movies Under the Stars, Pay It Forward Surrey, Festive Frames, Gingerbread Village, Summer of Soccer, and Downtown Surrey Fest. Delivered by DSBIA for residents, visitors, and member businesses.
• ICBA Benefits Program Group health, dental, and retirement benefits program offered in partnership with ICBA Benefits, providing member businesses with competitive employee benefits rates to attract and retain staff. Available exclusively to DSBIA member businesses.
• Bike Patrol Program A two-person bike patrol service operating Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, contracted through GuardTeck Security (effective January 6, 2021, replacing Concord Security), providing a visible safety presence across the DSBIA area for member businesses and visitors.
• Graffiti Removal Program A partnership with GDL Property Services Ltd. to remove graffiti from exterior walls of businesses within the DSBIA area, removing an average of 1,200 graffiti tags per year and maintaining the district's visual appeal for member businesses and visitors.
• Restaurant Guide A curated guide showcasing local dining options in Downtown Surrey, celebrating the diversity of international cuisines and family-owned eateries in the community. Created and maintained by DSBIA's summer interns.
• Economic Development Podcast A podcast series featuring conversations with developers, business leaders, and community partners about Downtown Surrey's growth, transformation, and economic opportunities. Featured guests include Charan Sethi (Tien Sher Group), Daniella Leck (Central City), Dan Cupa (Bosa Properties), Sean Hodgins (Century Group), Kirk Fisher (Lark Group), and Tim Grant (PCI).
• The New View Newsletter A periodic electronic publication sent to members and community contacts, showcasing businesses, residents, and events in the Downtown Surrey area. Combined with the City Centre Scene publication, it produces approximately 1.5 million impressions per year.
• Research Reports Independent economic research studies produced for member and government stakeholder use, including an analysis on the potential impacts of an SFU Medical School in Surrey City Centre. Provides data-driven insights to support strategic planning, advocacy, and investment decisions.
• Sustainable Surrey Program Environmental sustainability resources helping member businesses reduce energy use, implement recycling programs, and adopt green practices across the downtown Surrey district.
• History Footprints Project An ongoing community documentation project memorializing the rich history of downtown Surrey through stories and pictures installed at six sites throughout the downtown area.
• Its News Downtown Monthly Newsletter A monthly electronic newsletter sent approximately sixteen times per year to DSBIA members, providing member-relevant updates, event information, and association news.
• Clean Streets Program Seasonal litter-pickup program operated by Surrey Community Services Society under contract to DSBIA from April 15 to October 15 each year, picking up litter on selected sidewalks across the downtown area to maintain cleanliness for member businesses and visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average of 1,200 graffiti tags removed per year through bulk purchase program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GuardTeck SecuritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2021Effective January 6, 2021, GuardTeck replaced Concord Security to provide the DSBIA bike patrol service. The two-person team patrols Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM in vibrant blue jackets.
• ICBA BenefitscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerICBA Benefits is trusted by DSBIA with group health, dental and retirement plans for members. Members receive competitive rates, top-notch service, and support from ICBA's team. ICBA Benefits is located in Surrey's City Centre 3 development and helps promote Downtown Surrey as a great place to locate and develop businesses.
• GDL Property Services Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDL Property Services Ltd. partners with DSBIA to deliver the graffiti removal program for exterior walls of member businesses. The program focuses on swiftly removing graffiti to maintain the visual appeal of the district.
• Surrey RCMPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSBIA participates in ongoing liaison with Surrey RCMP District 1, including participation in the Whalley Integrated Services Team (WIST), Crime Reduction Strategy meetings, and Safe Streets Coalition advocacy.
• Simon Fraser University (SFU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFU serves as an educational anchor institution in Surrey City Centre. DSBIA engages with SFU on campus-community partnerships and supports the expanded SFU Surrey Campus as part of its vision for downtown development. Nav Chima, Director of Community Programs & Partnerships at SFU, serves on the DSBIA Board.
• City of SurreycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DSBIA engages all three levels of government, with the City of Surrey being a key partner for area enhancement projects, beautification, bylaw enforcement, transit (Skytrain extension and Bus Rapid Transit), and development initiatives.
• Surrey Community Services SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSBIA contracts Surrey Community Services Society to provide the 'Clean Streets' Program from April 15 to October 15 annually, picking up litter on selected sidewalks.
• Lark Group / HealthTech ConnexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLark Group is developing the Health & Technology District adjacent to Surrey Memorial Hospital. CEO Kirk Fisher serves on the DSBIA Board. Projects include 810-bed student housing (City Centre 5) and Homewood Suites by Hilton Surrey (189 suites).
• Surrey Fire Fighters' Charitable SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Pay It Forward Surrey events, helping highlight the importance of community support in Surrey.
• ICT GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer with Lark Group on the 810-bed purpose-built student housing project at City Centre 5 in the Health & Technology District.
• Concord SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious security contractor for DSBIA Bike Patrol before transitioning to GuardTeck in January 2021.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association: The largest urban BIA in British Columbia, also funded by member levies and providing advocacy, safety, cleanliness, and marketing programs to a dense downtown business community. Most direct functional analog to DSBIA's mandate and operating model.
• Gastown Business Improvement Society: Sub-area BIA in Vancouver focused on placemaking, heritage preservation, events, and safety for a smaller, denser business district — closely comparable in scale and program mix to Downtown Surrey.
• Yaletown Business Improvement Association: Vancouver sub-area BIA delivering events, marketing, and member services to a high-density mixed-use district; another close operational analog serving a similar membership profile.
• Calgary Downtown Association: Large metropolitan downtown revitalization organization in Western Canada responsible for events, safety programs (Clean & Safe), and economic development initiatives in a single downtown core — directly comparable mandate.
• Downtown New Westminster BIA: Smaller BC-city downtown BIA running events, beautification, and advocacy programs funded by member levies — a strong scale and model peer.

Others

• International Downtown Association: Industry trade association for downtown and town-centre organizations globally. Not a competitor but the closest peer as the membership body to which DSBIA and its functional analogs belong.

Broad incumbents

• Tourism Vancouver: Regional destination marketing organization promoting Vancouver as a place to visit, invest, and do business. Comparable to DSBIA on the marketing/promotion side, though at a destination scale.
• Surrey Board of Trade: City-wide business chamber and advocacy organization for Surrey. Overlaps with DSBIA on policy advocacy and economic development but operates city-wide rather than a single district.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dtsurreybia
• Facebookfacebook.com/DowntownSurreyBIA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/downtown-surrey-business-improvement-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association