NorCal Regional Gathering

Monday, March 8, 2010
James Irvine Foundation Conference Center
353 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland

10 am - 4:30 pm Meeting
8:30 am Presentation on Buy Local Campaigns and Local Alliances

AMIBA and the Oakland Merchants Leadership Forum, with support from the sponsors below, are convening a gathering for participants in local business alliances, "buy local" campaigns, and related efforts to support local independent business. The event will include, but is not limited to, affiliates in Northern California. We'll get acquainted with our peers, share tools and ideas, and make initial steps toward cooperative work to make a bigger impact in our communities and the region.

Plan on a participant-driven event focused on working together, not transmission of expertise (excepting the opening session). Jeff Milchen will offer a presentation at 8:30 am on launching and sustaining effective local business coalitions. This will provide a foundation for later discussion if you are new to local business organizing.

While many of the event sponsors are in the Bay Area, participants also come from the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley and as far north as Eureka.

The cost includes a locally-sourced lunch, snacks, refreshments and many useful handout materials (please bring samples of your own materials to share, too!). Download the draft agenda (pdf).