2019 Annual EDA Busness Expo: Select Venue & Date

Annually, the Ramsey EDA sponsors a Busness 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 busness exhibitors. Preliminary planning has commenced and staff is open to new ideas and suggestions to continue to have a successful event.

The purpose of this case is to select a date and venue for the 2019 event so event planning can continue.

N/A

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

• Venue: The Fountains of Ramsey ($800 estimated) or Adrenaline Sports Center ($600 estimated)
• Equipment Rentals: tables, chairs and drapes ($1,300 estimated)
• Event Flyer and Registration: Not created yet (2018 version attached)
• Registration Fees for 2018: Ramsey Business-$50, Non-Ramsey Business-$65, Electricity-$5 
• Preference 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, Last year we did Ramsey Bags ($1,500 estimated)
• Entertainment: Balloon Artist ($600 estimated)
• Marketing:
  • Mailers, 9,600 qty, 2 weeks before event
  • Mobile Sign Boards (5)
  • Color Full Page Color Flyer, qty 750 and Sandwich Board Posters
  • Anoka County Shopper Ad Space
  • Anoka County Union Article
  • Ramsey Resident, Facebook, City Website

The EDA allocation budgeted for this event is $6,000. Considering the items above expenditures will be approximately $7,500-8,300. Staff estimates revenue will be approximately $2,370 (based on 2018 Revenue)

The successful event has been at the Fountains at Ramsey due to its location in the COR, quality facilities. Space, however, has been tight due to the success of the event. Adrenaline Sports would provide a larger venue but is more utilitarian in nature. Staff is open to disucss the pros and cons of these potential venues.

EDA and Event Revenue. See Observations section above.

DATE SELECTION
Saturday March 23,  March 30, or April 6.  Based on input from 2016 Survey and staff observations (feedback received in the past) it appears as if an earlier date is preferred by vendors and patrons alike.  Past events were held on the following dates: March 31, 2018, April 1, 2017, and April 16, 2016.

VENUE SELECTION
The Fountains at Ramsey or Adrenaline Sports Center

Motion to select ________ as the date of the 2019 Business Expo.

Motion to select ________ as the venue for the 2019 Business Expo.