The 9th annual SocialICE was held on Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester, MN, in February. The three day event lures people outside for “an icy experience fit for true Minnesotans.” The highlight of the event is seven uniquely themed ice bars each serving a signature drink. In an effort to make downtown events more appealing…To read more — login/subscribe
Food and drink are key parts of any thriving downtown. The addition of outdoor dining brings added benefits for individual businesses and the downtown as a whole. Still, there’s no shortage of objections to sidewalk dining — there’s worry about loss of on-street parking spaces and sidewalk space, concerns surrounding regulations for short term uses,…To read more — login/subscribe
Little Haddonfield, NJ (est. pop. 11,428), was founded in the 18th century, and the downtown’s vibe harkens back to the early 20th century. “It’s like a Norman Rockwell painting,” says Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt of Suasion Communications Group, downtown Haddonfield’s public relations firm. But historic Haddonfield has turned to a decidedly postmodern way to market its downtown:…To read more — login/subscribe
In an effort to attract visitors downtown, tiny Lake City, CO, capitalized on some unlikely assets to create a unique tourism attraction. While many downtowns limit event schedules during the cold winter months, Lake City rolls out its ice park. Located one block south of the historic downtown, the ice park is a man-made ice…To read more — login/subscribe
Last year, holiday bars popped up around the country. The bars typically feature extensive holiday decor, seasonal drinks, a fundraising component, and, of course, holiday music. In Pittsburgh, the pop-ups included both home-grown offerings and a nationwide chain. In the home-grown category was Auld Lang Syne, which occupied a portion of the popular Oyster House…To read more — login/subscribe
With many small cities struggling to lure skilled workers, a few downtowns are trying something new: They're offering to help people pay down their college loans if they move to town. Hamilton, OH (est. pop. 62,216), last year launched a Talent Attraction Program that offers up to $10,000 to workers who earned college degrees within…To read more — login/subscribe
With a prominent university and a thriving job market, Louisville, KY (est. pop. 602,000), has been performing well economically. New arrivals face a daunting task of learning to navigate the school district and other everyday issues. That's why the Chamber of Commerce Greater Louisville Inc. launched City Champs, which allows people considering a move to…To read more — login/subscribe
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest has turned into a genuine sensation. The threedecade- old festival brings more than 100,000 music lovers to downtown Fort Collins, CO (est. pop. 165,089). One unusual feature: All concerts are free, which the Downtown Fort Collins Business Association calls "nationally unique." While many large music festivals fund themselves with ticket sales,…To read more — login/subscribe
Festivals centered around local produce (Georgia Peach Festival, Kennett Square Mushroom Festival, Vermont Maple Festival) or a prepared specialty (Maine Whoopie Pie Festival, Picklefest, or the Livermush Festival) have great regional appeal. This summer saw the first sno-ball festival in Downtown Lafayette, LA. The event showcases a local Louisiana specialty made from shaved ice and…To read more — login/subscribe
Cities, business districts, and commercial corridors of all sizes are embracing place branding to attract visitors, new residents, businesses, and investors. Still, many city centers have saddled themselves with words and images that are outdated and generic. Branding expert Bill Baker travels the world’s downtowns, and he sees many downtown leaders making common branding mistakes.…To read more — login/subscribe
