Breakfast

Conference Opening

Foundations of Successful Alliances
An effective IBA or buy local program is much more than shopping and promotion. We'll explore the realms of IBA work including the whys and hows of developing an effective working board, creating member benefit, working with local government and advancing pro-local policy.

Jeff Milchen, AMIBA co-founder

Jennifer Rockne, AMIBA co-founder & director

Tweet an App., Friend
Using social media and the latest phone and web technology to serve your members and build your organization.

Erin Kilmer Neel, Oakland Grown

Paul Janowitz, wantANDfound.com

Lily von Mosch, AMIBA program specialist & Montana State Univ. adjunct faculty in social media

Break

Bank on This: Partnering with Local Financial Institutions and Tapping Community Capital
Explore the kinds of possible partnerships and development strategies, how the current climate holds promise for more, and learn how IBAs have gained critical financial backing from these community stalwarts, influenced their purchasing, helped focus community investment, and nurtured new entrepreneurs. Discussion includes business incubation, community ownership, banks' key roles in educational campaigns and more.

Stacy Mitchell, Senior Researcher, Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Erin Kilmer Neel, Program Officer, OneCalifornia Foundation

Christy Stoner, CEO, Strategic Investment Advisors

Lunch
with micro-presentations on "The Best Thing Our Group Did Last Year"

Obviously Effective
The best use of ads, posters, decals/stickers, directories and strategies for making the greatest impact on the public and for member retention.

Kristin Smith, Portland Buy Local

Debbie Thompson, Indie Owned

Steve Bercu, Austin IBA

Break

Leveraging Local Institutions and Agriculture
Hospitals, colleges, school districts, government entities and other big employers engage in the community and state in important and influential ways. Yet they also often are mandated by policy to purchase from the lowest bidder regardless of location. We’ll discuss strategies for approaching these players and the kind of partnerships and projects that can result. You'll also learn about successful initiatives to bring together local business and agriculture and how they've impacted the local mindset, gained government support, and more.

Vicki Pozzebon, Santa Fe Alliance

Cora Larson, Gallatin Valley IBA

Jeff Milchen, AMIBA

Free Time

Dinner shuttle begins

Indie Gala
Mise en Place, 422 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Experience Tampa's finest dining establishment, TIBA member Mise en Place. Chef Blitz will create a special, memorable meal focused on local foods and flavors. (Food, coffee, tea, soft drinks included; alcoholic beverages for individual purchase.)

Breakfast

Responsible Leadership: Building leadership strength throughout your organization.  Learn how responsible management development can prepare your organization for rapid growth or turbulent times.

Become a Media Darling
Learn how to build media relationships, get the most from them, and use your appearances to your advantage.

Sharry Smith, Creative Loafing

Karen Marzloff, Seacost Local

Break

Partnering with Public Officials and Implementing Pro-Local Policy
Learn how building successful partnerships with local government can lead to proactive policy and other initiatives to support and strengthen local independent business, what some of the most effective policy (and other) models are, and get the perspectives of local officials on what the relationship looks like from their side.

Stacy Mitchell, ILSR

Amy Huerta, Local Business Initiatives Mgr., City of Fresno

Ryan Petty, Director, City of Tacoma Dept. of Econ. Dev.

Perfect Pitch
Maximize the impact of your messaging and storytelling to the public, potential members, government, other organizations and the media. This session contains vital information for new and mature organizations alike!

Jeff Milchen, AMIBA

Meg Smith, Membership & Marketing Officer, American Booksellers Assn.

Karen Marzloff
Seacoast Local

Vicki Pozzebon,
Exec. Director, Santa Fe Alliance

Betsy Burton, founder & president, Local First Utah

Lunch

Building Community Dedication and Membership through Loyalty Programs
Learn about the increasing options on the Localization scene, their benefits and pitfalls, from internally-run card programs to for-profit card companies, coupon books, and more.

Katrina Scotto di Carlo, Supportland.org

Terry Garrett, Sonoma County Go Local Co-op

Amy Kedron, Buffalo First

Building the Localization Movement
Share your ideas on how AMIBA can serve your community and the broader Localization Movement. We want your guidance on setting organizational priorities!

AMIBA board and staff

9:30 - 11:30 am

Steve Bercu, Co-founder & Pres., Austin IBA

David Baker, Project Coordinator, Stay Local! (New Orleans)

Betsy Burton, Co-founder & Pres., Local First Utah

Vicki Pozzebon, Exec. Director, Santa Fe Alliance

Kristin Smith, board member, Portland Buy Local