*Please do not register without contacting us first*
Building the Localization Movement
in the Great Lakes Region
A gathering for leaders and prospective leaders of community
groups supporting local independent business
Thursday August 19
10 am - 4 pm (optional orientation at 8:00)
Location: WNIT TV
300 W. Jefferson Blvd.
South Bend, IN
574-675-9648
With the help of local host, ShoLo, AMIBA is facilitating a regional gathering for participants in local business alliances, "buy local" campaigns, and other organizations supporting local independent business. The event will include representatives of established groups, as well as new or emerging efforts. The purpose is to get acquainted with peers, share tools and ideas, and explore steps toward cooperative work to make a bigger impact in our communities and the region.
The discussion may include sharing of resources and tools, policy initiatives of mutual interest and the utility of establishing a communication network among Great Lakes area groups supporting local independents.
DRAFT GOALS AND AGENDA (Please share your ideas):
· Learn more about what various campaigns and local alliances in the region are doing.
· Share our best ideas and practices.
· Discuss common challenges and ways of overcoming them.
· Explore ideas for collaborating and leveraging our efforts for greater regional impact and building a culture of support for local independents throughout our region
· Gauge interest in ongoing communication and, if desired, immediately establish a mechanism for it
8:00 - 9:45 Optional presentation/orientation to organizing local business alliancesl and how it can help a community thrive socially, culturally, and economically.
10:00 - 10:45 Overview, review agenda + Show and Tell
Introductions + brief presentations on what your groups are doing well, challenges you face and future plans. Plan to highlight one or two of your most effective ideas or programs. Please bring sample materials to share with each other.
10:45 - 11:15 Best Practices and Biggest Challenges
An opportunity to ask questions of one another, discuss how our programs are working, discuss our major local challenges, and share strategies for overcoming them. The goal is to enable each of us to take home some great ideas and how-to advice. Are there opportunities to share resources (a designer, membership recruiter, etc.) across organizations?
11:15 - 11:45 Nurturing Additional Community Efforts
How can we best help nurture new organizations in Great Lakes communities across various organizations (AMIBA, BALLE, Main Street programs, etc.)
11:45 - 12:45 Lunch
12:45 - 1:45 Expanding our Reach and Impact
Brainstorm ideas for how we can increase our impact throughout the region, reaching more people, influencing media, influencing government decision-makers, and seeding new campaigns in other communities
1:45 - 2:45 Getting Political
This discussion may touch on local, county and state policy options to encourage entrepreneurism and local ownership and confront policies that handicap local independents.
2:45 - 4:00 Moving forward
Should a regional communication network be established? Should there be a regional listserve? Is state level network more useful? Other communication venues?
Plan on a participant-driven event focused on working together, not transmission of expertise. We encourage everyone to bring sample materials to share with others and help cross-pollinate ideas. We look forward to seeing you there!
Register (advance registration required):
Registration includes lunch, refreshments and handout materials
$15 -- members of AMIBA affiliates
$35 -- non-affiliates
Recommended lodging for overnight stays:
The Oliver Inn bed and breakfast (about 5 blocks from WNIT)
Contact us for potential carpooling connections in your area. We expect participants from around Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and perhaps SE Wisconsin.