Nightlife experts from some of North America's most vibrant cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco are attending the Toronto conference to discuss their own successes in the areas of management, policing, and planning of a better nightlife for their city.

As part of its ongoing commitment to a collaborative dialogue with key stakeholders, the Entertainment District BIA will also welcome to the one-day conference representatives from the Toronto and regional Police Service, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (Liquor Enforcement Branch), city councilors, planners and City Municipal License and Standards.

"Toronto continues to be recognized around the world as one of the safest, most diverse places to live," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. "I am confident that with leaders like the Entertainment District BIA and its collaborative approach to managing nightlife, Toronto will maintain its international reputation as a progressive, world-class city with an incredible quality of life."

The RHI Conference takes place in Toronto on Monday, June 8, 2009 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The conference runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Leading nightlife experts include: << - Terrance Alan, Founding Member, San Francisco Entertainment Commission - Rob Bookman, Co-Founder and General Counsel, NYC Nightlife Association - Steve Georgas, Commander, Chicago Police Department - Elizabeth Peterson, President EPG, consultant to nightlife businesses in Los Angeles - David Whitaker, President & CEO, Tourism Toronto (formerly CEO of Tourism Miami) >> "The Toronto Entertainment District BIA is dedicated to the creation of a safe and enjoyable nightlife experience for everyone," said Janice Solomon, executive director, Toronto Entertainment District BIA. "We believe that a vibrant, safe and enjoyable nightlife is a valuable contributor to the Entertainment District - and the City."

Jim Peters, President of the Responsible Hospitality Institute will be a keynote speaker at the conference touching on trends driving nighttime economy gathered from over 30 North American cities, including successful elements of a hospitality zone, managing closing time crowds and noise levels - all initiatives the Entertainment District BIA is progressively addressing through its best practices approach to managing nightlife.

Added Solomon: "We firmly believe that by implementing approaches used successfully by other cities, we can ensure that Toronto's Entertainment District will have a flourishing and well-balanced nightlife and that the interests of our diverse membership are progressively intertwined."

About the Entertainment District Business Improvement Area Established in 2008, the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area's (BIA) mandate is to promote, improve, and preserve this dynamic area of Toronto. Benefiting from economic, environmental and social factors driving downtown growth, the Entertainment District is in the midst of a renaissance, firmly establishing itself as a thriving and vibrant district for living, creating, working and entertainment.