Business/Environmental Expos, 2013, Consider EPB Proposal

Staff was notified that the Ramsey Environmental Policy Board (EPB) was interested in combining the Environmental and Business Expos into one event.  The purpose of this case is to gauge the EDAs reaction to this proposal, as the EPB is looking to make a decision on this matter in the coming months.

Currently, the Business and Environmental Expos are run from two separate, but nearby, locations within The COR (Ramsey Municipal Center & The Fountains of Ramsey).  The majority of marketing efforts for these events are combined.  Planning/coordination, preparation, registration, staffing and clean up of these events are done separately.  A fair number of patrons visit both events (not all).

The EPB is proposing the combination of these events into one location to save resources (as outlined above), to deliver a better product for the end user, to eliminate a dilemma for organizations that would like to participate in both events and to increase overall attendance to both expos.  The proposal is for both events to be located in the same venue.  With it's three side by side gymnasiums, the Lord of Life venue has been identified as a potential location.  Upon completion, the new Legacy School was also identified as a potential future location.   

The advantage of keeping it in or around the current location is that people are used to the location, and it generates a level of community activity for the COR area of the City. Tents or blocking off Sunwood Drive, are options to consider for better integrating the two events.

NA

Provide the EPB with your initial thoughts, level of interest and willingness to consider this opting for 2012.

Provide the EPB with your initial thoughts, level of interest and willingness to consider this opting for 2012.