2018 Annual EDA Business Expo:  Select Date

Annually, the Ramsey EDA sponsors a Business Expo.  The purpose of this event is to promote Ramsey's businesses (typically retail and service industries) to the community.  Normally, this event draws 200-300 participants and 45-50 business exhibitors.  Planning for this event has begun.

Purpose of Case:

NA

Below is a status update on a number of items related to this event:

• Venue: The Fountains of Ramsey ($800 estimated)
• Equipment Rentals: tables, chairs, drapes ($1,300 estimated)
• Event Flyer & Registration: not created yet (last year attached)
• Registrations Ramsey Business= $50, Non-Ramsey Business= $65, Electricity fee= $5
• Preference will be given to Ramsey area retail, service, restaurant, and other industries.  Craft/Merchant vendors and Non-Ramsey businesses will be placed on a waiting list.
• Giveaway: TBD ($1,500 estimated)
• Entertainment: Balloon artist ($600 estimated)
• Marketing:
  • Mailers, 9,600 qty, 2 weeks before event
  • Mobile Sign Boards, Five
  • Color Full Page flyer, qty 750 and Sandwich Board Posters
  • Anoka County Shopper ad space
  • Anoka County Union article
  • Ramsey Resident, Facebook, City's website

The EDA allocation budgeted for this event is $5,500.  Considering items above, expenditures will be approximately $7,500 - $8,000.  Staff estimates revenues will be about $2,300 (based on 2017 revenue).  

 

See observations section.

Date Selection
Saturday, March 31 and Saturday, April 7 are both available at The Fountains of Ramsey.  Based on input from the 2016 survey, and staff observations (feedback received in the past), it appears an earlier date is preferred by vendors and event patrons alike.  Staff would lean towards March 31. 
 

No specific action requested.  Staff welcomes suggestions and comments.  If no comments are made, staff will move ahead with March 31 as the 2018 event date.  More updates to come.