About the Training Series

The sessions comprising the training series are organized around traditional downtown management organization functions.

A. Political Capital: You’ll Need It!

No matter where any organization is in its development, downtown organizations and their leadership need political savvy to expand their programs. Local and state programs build credibility as they grow. But how does an organization build and sustain its political capital? And more importantly, when should it expend its political capital? Making judicious decisions that reinforce your downtown organization’s local position and strategic planning objectives is the emphasis of this three-hour workshop.

As team-taught by Donna and Diane, this session will examine discuss developing relationships with elected officials at all levels. This three-hour workshop is organized around the three Main Street organizational development phases, featuring a group work problem for each phase and a resource packet of information.

B. 50 Ways to Use the Web for Downtown Organizations

There are a million ways to use websites, blogs, software programs, and social networking sites to advance your downtown program objectives and activities. Organized around the work of a traditional downtown committee structure, this two hour workshop team taught by Donna and Diane will introduce proven, practical applications for some of our favorite web tools. This ‘fast forward’ look at the best we’ve found will permit you—novice, geek, or seasoned web surfer—to hone in on free or low cost e-resources that truly serve the needs of your downtown revitalization work. This session includes one group exercise and a resource packet of information.

C. Like a Good Marriage: Building Strong Public Private Partnerships Over Time

Public private partnership is a term with multiple definitions. For downtown organizations, it’s primarily about the cultivation and management of strong relationships, primarily with your community’s public sector, including elected and appointed officials and municipal staff. During this three-hour presentation, we will discuss the ideal relationships that downtown organizations need to get things done in partnership with the public sector. What motivates public sector help and how to develop and manage relationships with key downtown institutions (including major employers, hospitals, universities, or large nonprofit stakeholders) will be considered. The final session segment will help you consider your organization’s role in municipal partnerships with downtown real estate developers. This workshop includes two group exercises and a resource packet of information.

D. Advance Your Image, Be a Brand

Downtown programs are known for unique special events, retail promotions, and marketing. Tying these elements together in a comprehensive strategy can seem overwhelming, but it isn’t. This three-hour session, team-taught by Diane and Donna, discusses how to move from traditional promotional activities to branding your downtown efforts. By distinguishing the branding process, your organization can strategically build your brand over time. Case studies from communities, large and small, that evolved from a disconnected series of promotions to fostering a brand recognized by their consumers will be highlighted in handouts and reference materials. Two group exercises are included as part of this workshop along with a resource packet of information.

E. Sites, Dollars and Development: Restructuring Isn’t Just About the Merchants

This three-hour workshop led by Diane Williams is intended to help the experienced downtown director understand market and operating realities of key downtown business sectors. The first two workshop sections review the site selection and operating characteristics of certain format retailers (such as Barnes & Noble) and how those characteristics can be applied to downtown success. The later half of the workshop will examine the question--what exactly is a strong, independent business? Understanding what constitutes a strong business that is focused on long-term success will help your downtown remain economically viable. Strong businesses mean strong tenants. Strong tenants means property owners can invest. And we’ll talk about why rising rents may actually be good for your district. Workshop participants are encouraged to bring examples of their business support programs. The session will include group exercise and a resource packet of information will be provided.

F. Serving Diverse Populations: What Works for the Long-Term

Commercial corridors with diverse populations are often thriving and vital corridors servicing their neighborhood residents. But what constitutes retail diversity in a neighborhood commercial district with diverse populations? This two hour workshop will address how a local organization can balance familiar retail formats with the retail and service needs of the neighborhood. The session, led by Diane Williams, will discuss a recent study of a dozen case studies from retail districts from around the country that have assisted and grown their business mix over time using small business development programs or incubators to expand and deepen the business skills of merchants in the corridor. You will hear about lessons learned from community based organizations across the country working in diverse neighborhood commercial districts about what works or does not for their thriving commercial corridors.

These are sessions we have developed based on client needs. If you are interested in other topics, please contact us so we can develop a customized workshop for you.