Review of Special Event By-laws

Our first impressions

This survey’s findings helped staff gain a stronger understanding of the impact of special events on our local economy. Of the survey’s respondents, 81.5 per cent reported organizing outdoor special events in association with their business, with 81.8 per cent reporting organizing these kinds of events at least once per year. A total of 77.8 per cent of respondents to this survey indicated that special events in Ottawa result in a positive impact on business. Similarly, of the businesses who sponsor special events, 55.6 per cent reported an increase in business and foot traffic as a result. This finding was further supported when respondents were asked if festivals and community events resulted in increased or decreased reservations/bookings, orders, sales, and foot traffic; zero respondents reported a decrease in any of these areas, while increases in reservations and foot traffic were the most highly reported. When asked to offer further comments on this matter, business owners highlighted the benefit of special events and tourism on the City’s economy, noting how event popularity and attendance benefits not only their own businesses but other surrounding businesses as well. These data represent a consistent theme throughout the survey’s responses, which is that special events bring positive impacts on the business community in Ottawa.

Responses indicated a significant level of satisfaction among event organizers who obtain Special Events permits through the City of Ottawa’s Events Central branch, with 70 per cent of respondents advising they were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their interactions. When asked to share additional comments about the City’s permitting process and/or Events Central, respondents noted while the team is responsive and helpful, the process is long and, at times, challenging, which can result in decreased motivation or willingness to organize special events. Responses to this question highlighted a desire for a more streamlined, simpler process to permit special events to combat these challenges. The City’s Special Events Advisory Team (SEAT) was praised for its efficacy, but one response took issue with required payment for certain City services and the inability to negotiate with SEAT.

When asked about issues with special events that negatively impact the business community, 14.8 per cent of respondents highlighted challenges with on-street parking due to special events. When asked to elaborate, business owners highlighted decreased attendance and increased frustration due to parking issues as well as issues arising between themselves and their neighbours due to illegal parking. Insufficient parking areas, including inadequate accessible parking spaces, was also raised as a location-specific issue by survey respondents. One respondent highlighted the benefit of public transportation in certain areas of the city, while a different respondent noted the difficulties in attendees utilizing public transit to get to and from their event.

In responses to open-ended questions about special events and business in Ottawa, respondents also described issues with the Noise By-law (2017-255) and the enforcement thereof amid outdoor events. Certain respondents also expressed dissatisfaction with the City’s handling of excessive noise borne out of demonstrations.

Respondents to this survey also relayed a desire for the City to continue facilitating sidewalk sales in the business community. While only 7.4 per cent of respondents reported hosting sidewalk sales, there were no concerns raised about sidewalk sales when asked, as well as no suggestions offered to improve their regulation in the City. Ninety-six per cent of respondents advocated for businesses who are not represented by Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) to be eligible to apply for a sidewalk sale permit. When asked, the four per cent of respondents who opposed this option cited potential issues for small businesses if public areas are used for sales for other businesses.

In summary, respondents believe that special events and tourism positively benefit the local business community in Ottawa. Those who host or sponsor special events see benefits to their business and report considerable satisfaction with the existing permitting process through the City of Ottawa. Responses highlighted the permitting process length, parking issues, and noise issues as areas for City staff to improve upon and consider further.

Unfortunately, the small number of residents that elected to participate in this survey in tandem with generally low survey uptake suggests that the views expressed by participants may not reflect Ottawa’s broader business community. While this survey shows there are existing procedures around special events that are working well, it showcases areas in need of improvement to further benefit our local economy through the facilitation of special events.

Background

This survey ran on Engage Ottawa from October 15th, 2024 to November 13th, 2024. Fifty-five residents responded to this survey, 27 of whom were representing a business or business association operating in Ottawa. The total number of responses for each question is reported beside the question. For convenience, individual responses are reported as both a total and a percentage.

Responses to open-ended questions have been reported above in summary format. Individual responses have been cataloged and made anonymous for sharing with the project team and other City departments where appropriate.

Survey Six Results

In October, we asked residents to share their thoughts on how special events impact the local business community. We sought to learn about the experience of business owners who host or participate in special events, including sidewalk sales. Staff were also looking to assess the economic impacts of tourism, festivals, and event sponsorships on businesses in Ottawa.

Q1: Do you represent a business or business association operating in Ottawa? (55 responses)

• Yes: 27 respondents or 49.1 per cent
• No: 28 respondents or 50.9 per cent

Q2: Do you organize outdoor special events (other than sidewalk sales) in association with your business? (27 responses)

• Yes: 22 respondent or 81.5 per cent
• No: 4 respondents or 14.8 per cent
• Uncertain: 1 respondent or 3.7 per cent

Q3: How often do you organize outdoor special events? (22 responses)

• Weekly: 2 respondents or 9.1 per cent
• Monthly: 1 respondent or 4.5 per cent
• Yearly: 15 respondents or 68.2 per cent
• Infrequently (less than once a year): 1 respondent or 4.5 per cent
• Other: 3 respondents or 13.6 per cent

Q4: Typically, how many people participate in your outdoor special events at any given time? (22 responses)

• 100 to 499: 3 respondents or 13.6 per cent
• 500 to 1000: 6 respondent or 27.3 per cent
• More than 1000: 13 respondents or 59.1 per cent
• Less than 100: 0 respondent or 0% per cent

Q5: How many days in a year would your business typically be involved in hosting outdoor special events? (3 character maximum) (22 responses)

• Responses ranged from 1-71, with the majority of respondents hosting between one and 10 outdoor special events per year.[MJ3][VE4]

Q6: Do you obtain a special event permit issued by Event Central, City of Ottawa, for your outdoor special events? (22 responses)

• Yes: 20 respondents or 90.9 per cent
• No: 1 respondent or 4.5 per cent
• Uncertain: 1 respondent or 4.5 per cent

Q7: Overall, were you satisfied or dissatisfied with your experience dealing with Event Central, City of Ottawa? (20 responses)

• Very Satisfied: 5 respondents or 25.0 per cent
• Somewhat Satisfied: 9 respondents or 45.0 per cent
• Neutral: 4 respondents or 20.0 per cent
• Somewhat Dissatisfied: 2 respondents or 10.0 per cent
• Very Dissatisfied: 0 respondents or 0 per cent

Q8: Do you have any comments to share about your experience? (2000 character maximum) (12 responses)

Responses are summarized above.

Q9: Does your business participate in outdoor special events organized by other groups? (27 responses)

• Yes: 11 respondents or 40.7 per cent
• No: 16 respondents or 59.3 per cent

Q10: If yes, how many special events does your business participate in annually?
(4 character maximum) (10 responses)

• Responses ranged from 2-50.

Q11: Does your business participate in any sidewalk sales? (27 responses)

• Yes: 2 respondents or 7.4 per cent
• No: 25 respondents or 25 per cent

Q12: How many days annually? (3 characters maximum) (2 responses)

• Responses were 2 days and 5 days.

Q13: Do you have any concerns about sidewalk sales that you would like share with the City? (2000 character maximum) (2 responses)

• Respondents highlighted their support for allowing sidewalk sales.

Q14: Do you have any suggestions to improve how the City regulates sidewalk sales? (2 responses)

• Respondents highlighted their desire for the sidewalk not to be blocked.

Q15: Current sidewalk sale regulations do not permit businesses not represented by a BIA to apply for a sidewalk sale permit. Would you be opposed to businesses that are not represented by a BIA being able to apply for and host sidewalk sales? (25 responses)

• Yes: 24 respondent or 96.0 per cent
• No: 1 respondent or 4.0 per cent

Q16: Why do you oppose this option? (2000 Character max) (1 response)

• This response stated that public areas being used for business should be far away from existing areas of business.

Q17: Does your business sponsor any outdoor special events in Ottawa? (27 responses)

• Yes: 9 respondents or 33.3 per cent
• No: 18 respondents or 66.7 per cent

Q18: How much do you spend annually on event sponsorships? (9 responses)

• Less than $1,000: 2 respondents or 22.2 per cent
• $1,000 to $9,999: 4 respondents or 44.4 per cent
• More than $10,000: 3 respondents or 33.3 per cent

Q19: Have you noticed an increase in business and foot traffic as a result of these sponsorships? (9 responses)

• Yes: 5 respondents or 55.6 per cent
• No: 1 respondent or 11.1 per cent
• Uncertain: 3 respondents or 33.3 per cent

Q20: Does your business support events through any of the following: (Check all that apply) (23 responses)

• Event Promotion: 21 respondents
• Paid advertising: 14 respondents
• Preferred Pricing / Discounts: 9 respondents
• Donated goods or services: 9 respondents
• Volunteerism: 16 respondents
• Other: 2 respondents

Q21: In general, do festivals and special events held in your community have a positive, neutral or negative impact on your business? (27 responses)

• Very positive: 19 respondents or 70.4 per cent
• Somewhat positive: 2 respondents or 7.4 per cent
• Neutral: 5 respondents or 18.5 per cent
• Somewhat negative: 1 respondent or 3.7 per cent
• Very negative: 0 respondents or 0 per cent

Q22: In general, does tourism have a positive, neutral or negative impact on your business? (27 responses)

• Very positive: 16 respondents or 59.3 per cent
• Somewhat positive: 3 respondents or 11.1 per cent
• Neutral: 7 respondents or 25.9 per cent
• Somewhat negative: 0 respondents or 0 per cent
• Very negative: 1 respondent or 3.7 per cent

Q23: Does your business experience any of the following during festivals and community events? (Check all that apply) (23 responses)

• Increased reservations or advanced bookings: 12 respondents
• Increased orders: 8 respondents
• Increased sales inquiries: 9 respondents
• Increased foot traffic: 17 respondents
• Decreased reservations or advanced bookings: 0 respondents
• Decreased orders: 0 respondents
• Decreased sales inquiries: 0 respondents
• Decreased foot traffic: 0 respondents
• Other: 3 respondents

Q24: In the last 12 months, has your business been impacted by the temporary loss of on-street parking due to a special event? (27 responses)

• Yes: 4 respondents or 14.8 per cent
• No: 23 respondents or 85.2 per cent

Q25: Please describe how the temporary loss of on-street parking has impacted your business. (2000 character maximum) (4 respondents)

Respondents indicated that on-street parking issues result in illegal parking, decreased event attendance, and frustrated patrons.

Q26: Would you like to provide any further information to explain the impact of special events and/or tourism on your business? (2000 character maximum) (12 responses)

Responses summarized above.

Q27: Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the following statements:

My business benefits from the City’s investment in major festivals.

• Strongly agree: 8 respondents
• Somewhat agree: 7 respondents
• Neutral: 9 respondents
• Somewhat disagree: 1 respondent
• Strongly disagree: 2 respondents

My business benefits from the City’s investment in community events.

• Strongly agree: 9 respondents
• Somewhat agree: 9 respondents
• Neutral: 7 respondents
• Somewhat disagree: 0 respondents
• Strongly disagree: 1 respondent

Event organizers should pay for all City services needed for their event. (Traffic, Emergency Services, Transit, etc.)

• Strongly agree: 2 respondents
• Somewhat agree: 6 respondents
• Neutral: 4 respondents
• Somewhat disagree: 8 respondents
• Strongly disagree: 7 respondents

The City should make it easier to host outdoor special events.

• Strongly agree: 13 respondents
• Somewhat agree: 5 respondents
• Neutral: 5 respondents
• Somewhat disagree: 2 respondents
• Strongly disagree: 1 respondents

The City has too many festivals and outdoor special events.

• Strongly agree: 0 respondents
• Somewhat agree: 2 respondents
• Neutral: 8 respondents
• Somewhat disagree: 6 respondents
• Strongly disagree: 11 respondents

We are well informed of potential impacts due to a special event.

• Strongly agree: 3 respondents
• Somewhat agree: 7 respondents
• Neutral: 13 respondents
• Somewhat disagree: 4 respondents
• Strongly disagree: 0 respondents

The City should have more festivals and outdoor special events.

• Strongly agree: 7 respondents
• Somewhat agree: 10 respondents
• Neutral: 9 respondents
• Somewhat disagree: 1 respondent
• Strongly disagree: 0 respondents

Q28: How would you describe your business? (27 responses)

• Micro-business, employing between one and four people: 4 respondents or 14.8 per cent
• Small business, employing five to 99 people: 12 respondents or 44.4 per cent
• Medium-sized business, employing between 100 and 499 people: 2 respondents or 7.4 per cent
• Large enterprise, employing 500 or more people: 2 respondents or 7.4 per cent
• Other: 7 respondents or 25.9 per cent

Q29: How long have you been in business? (27 responses)

• Less than one year: 0 respondents or 0 per cent
• One to five years: 4 respondents or 14.8 per cent
• Five to 10 years: 3 respondents or 11.1 per cent
• More than 10 years: 20 respondents or 74.1 per cent

Q30: How would you rate your current business conditions compared to one year ago? (27 responses)

• Very Good: 4 respondents or 14.8 per cent
• Good: 9 respondents or 33.3 per cent
• Same: 13 respondents or 48.1 per cent
• Poor: 1 respondent
• Very Poor: 0 respondents

Q31: As an entrepreneur, what issues have been most pressing for your business in the past 12 months? (26 responses)

• Uncertainty: 8 respondents
• Inflation/Cost Pressure: 18 respondents
• Labour shortages: 6 respondents
• Sales and marketing: 3 respondents
• Regulation: 6 respondents
• Rent or Property Tax: 9 respondents
• Other: 4 respondents

Q32: In the next year, is your planned investment in business growth expected to be higher, lower or the same as in the previous year? (27 responses)

• Significantly higher: 2 respondents or 7.4 per cent
• Marginally higher: 9 respondents or 33.3 per cent
• Same as: 15 respondents or 55.6 per cent
• Marginally less: 1 respondent or 3.7 per cent
• Significantly less: 0 respondents or 0 per cent

Next Steps

A detailed analysis of survey results will occur shortly. Staff will include analysis through an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens that will utilize demographic data collected through the survey’s “Tell us about yourself” section. Full analysis will be provided when the project team reports to Committee and Council in early 2025.

Inquiries

If you have questions or comments about the survey results, please contact By-law Reviews at bylawreviews@ottawa.ca or 613-580-2424 ext. 29529.