Building Community Economic Vitality
in the Great Lakes Region
With in-depth training on developing Buy Local campaigns and Independent Business Alliances*
Friday June 20
11 am - 4:30 pm ~ Note schedule change!
Kazoo Books
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Introduction
Community-level organizing to support independent businesses is escalating in the Great Lakes region and, taking advantage of Jeff Milchen’s (co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance) upcoming Michigan/Ontario speaking tour, AMIBA affiliate Buy Local Kalamazoo is hosting this day-long gathering to help build the Localization Movement in the region.
The gathering will bring together people working with Michigan-based Independent Business Alliances, other groups engaged in local efforts around the Great Lakes region, and those serious about starting to share ideas, resources, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The event will include a presentation by Jeff, workshops on specific topics by organizers of active Alliances, and opportunity for participants to meet others with similar interests.
A single-day gathering is planned, but an evening social may also be arranged (details TBA)
Creating Successful Independent Business Alliances and Buy Local Campaigns
This full-day event will provide the opportunity for area organizers to meet and explore collaboration while receiving intensive training in organizing IBAs and related campaigns. The workshop will include:
- Introduction to IBA and related organizing and case studies from around the country
- Effective messaging to reach beyond the choir;
- Developing a presence in your regional media;
- Building a powerful collective brand
- Website essentials for buy local campaigns;
- Member recruitment and retention;
- Policy measures to drive localization;
- Fundraising opportunities;
- Turning your local government into a partner
- More, based on registrants’ interests
We also will explore opportunities to share resources and skills across our groups and ways to begin forming a collective voice at the state level to influence media coverage, political debate sand public awareness. This could include, but is not limited to, statewide public service announcements, op-eds to major newspapers, capitalizing on the 2008 election season and state policy recommendations.
Registration:
Lunch, snacks, and refreshments included
Participant Category |
Early registration rate pre-registration |
Regular rate same-day registration (by cash or check at door) |
Business owners & general public |
$35 |
$50 |
Government employees & staff/board of established business organizations |
$75 |
$100 |
Members of AMIBA affiliates |
$15 |
$30 |
(Secure payment via PayPal, check or money order.)
NOTE : The "continue shopping" button may not function with all browsers (PayPal issue). Please contact us if you aim to register multiple participants and have a problem. To reach us, call 406-582-1255 or email info*at*AMIBA.net.
To register by mail:
Checks or money orders payable to AMIBA.
AMIBA
222 S. Black Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715
Please include a list of registrants and contact information, along with any group identification.
*The name, Independent Business Alliance, is a service mark of the American Independent Business Alliance and is licensed for use only to AMIBA affiliates.