Florida gathering of organizers and potential organizers of
Independent Business Alliances*
Wednesday, April 2, Tampa
9:30 - 4:30
(9:30 for coffee & introductions; Formal agenda begins at 10)
Mise en Place restaurant
442 W Kennedy Blvd in downtown Tampa
Introduction
Community-level organizing to support independent businesses is escalating in Florida and, taking advantage of Jeff Milchen’s (co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance) upcoming Southeast speaking tour, the Tampa Independent Business Alliance is hosting a day-long gathering on Wednesday, April 2 to help build the Localization Movement in Florida.
The gathering will bring together people working with Florida-based Independent Business Alliances, other groups engaged in local efforts, 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 connect and explore collaboration.
A single-day gathering is planned, but an evening social may also be arranged (details TBA)
Specific workshop topics will likely include:
- member recruitment and retention;
- media skills;
- building the power of your brand;
- non-membership fundraising opportunities;
- effective messaging;
- IBA-specific website tips and tricks
- more (tell us what you want to learn or discuss!)
In addition to Independent Business Alliances in Tampa, Naples (also an “Originals” group) and Tallahassee, Sarasota Originals supports independent area restaurants and AMIBA has received serious inquiries from many other communities around the state, creating the opportunity to help accelerate the Localization Movement in Florida to the benefit of all our groups.
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.
Cost: (includes gourmet lunch, snacks and refreshments) $45 for members of AMIBA affiliates. For unaffiliated groups or individuals, the cost is $95 for the first person from a community and $50 for each additional person. (convenient online secure payment via PayPal, check or money order) NOTE: The "continue shopping" button may not function with all browsers (PayPal issue). If you wish to register multiple participants and you experience this problem, open this web page and the PayPal cart (this page, then "view cart") simultaneously in different tabs (or windows). Your cart will update as you add participants. Please contact us if you have a problem. ("Continue shopping" does work in Internet Explorer)
$45 per participant for members of AMIBA affiliates (includes SIBA members):
Non-Affiliates:
$95 First Participant:$50 Each Additional Participant:
Checks or money orders also are accepted, payable to AMIBA.
Send to:
AMIBA
222 S. Black Ave.
Bozeman, MT 59715
Please include a list of registrants and contact information, along with any group identification.
RSVP to the American Independent Business Alliance at 406-582-1255 or Jeff@AMIBA.net to hold your spot or with any questions. We can provide you with accommodation suggestions, and we will do our best to help those interested in carpooling.
*The name, Independent Business Alliance, is a service mark of the American Independent Business Alliance.