4.3.
Economic Development Authority (EDA)
- Meeting Date:
- 01/07/2016
- Submitted For:
- Patrick Brama
- By:
- Patrick Brama, Administrative Services
Title:
Continued Discussion Related to Annual Ramsey EDA Business Expo
Purpose/Background:
PURPOSE
The purpose of this case is to consider the proposal below:
Combine the annual EDA Business Expo with the annual Happy Days Business Expo. This discussion was listed on the City Council's adopted strategic plan (as originally suggested by staff).
BACKGROUND
From a preliminary perspective, this case was reviewed by the EDA in September. The EDA provided Staff direction to bring back a second case in the future; to include additional information (background, numbers, proposal for Happy Days, etc.). Attached are the September EDA meeting minutes.
This case was reviewed by the EDA in December. It was tabled for further discussion in January--due to lack of consensus. DRAFT meeting minutes are included in the "observations" section of this case.
The purpose of this case is to consider the proposal below:
Combine the annual EDA Business Expo with the annual Happy Days Business Expo. This discussion was listed on the City Council's adopted strategic plan (as originally suggested by staff).
BACKGROUND
From a preliminary perspective, this case was reviewed by the EDA in September. The EDA provided Staff direction to bring back a second case in the future; to include additional information (background, numbers, proposal for Happy Days, etc.). Attached are the September EDA meeting minutes.
This case was reviewed by the EDA in December. It was tabled for further discussion in January--due to lack of consensus. DRAFT meeting minutes are included in the "observations" section of this case.
Notification:
NA
Observations/Alternatives:
This case was reviewed by the EDA in December. Below are draft meeting minutes:
4.02: Continued Discussion Related to Annual Ramsey EDA Business Expo
Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama presented the staff report.
Acting Chairperson Skaff stated he previously supported this and suggested having a large tent to gather Ramsey businesses together and highlight them rather than individual spots.
Member Hardin stated he was not sure about getting rid of the expo because it served a purpose and provided a different venue than the Happy Days event because that is more festival based.
City Administrator Ulrich stated there seemed to be a focus on remodeling and he thought as an alternative they could get involved in a regional show in Andover at the Community Center. He thought that could be something they could promote in lieu of the business expo.
Acting Chairperson Skaff stated he liked the idea of having something bigger at Happy Days.
Member Hardin indicated he liked the idea of having the Expo.
Acting Chairperson Skaff thought this should be brought back to the next EDA meeting for further review with more members.
4.02: Continued Discussion Related to Annual Ramsey EDA Business Expo
Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama presented the staff report.
Acting Chairperson Skaff stated he previously supported this and suggested having a large tent to gather Ramsey businesses together and highlight them rather than individual spots.
Member Hardin stated he was not sure about getting rid of the expo because it served a purpose and provided a different venue than the Happy Days event because that is more festival based.
City Administrator Ulrich stated there seemed to be a focus on remodeling and he thought as an alternative they could get involved in a regional show in Andover at the Community Center. He thought that could be something they could promote in lieu of the business expo.
Acting Chairperson Skaff stated he liked the idea of having something bigger at Happy Days.
Member Hardin indicated he liked the idea of having the Expo.
Acting Chairperson Skaff thought this should be brought back to the next EDA meeting for further review with more members.
Funding Source:
NA
Recommendation:
Why is staff proposing the annual EDA Business Expo be dissolved?
(3) The EDA Business Expo and the Happy Days Business Expo are City organized, executed, and funded events. Both events serve similar businesses/vendors. Both events serve similar patrons. By eliminating one of these events, the City is able to reallocate its limited resources (specifically human capital). Eliminating one of these events is a large savings in staff time.
(1) Considering the three annual EDA events (expo, golf tourney, networking), staff believes the business expo provides the lowest value to the community (based on attendance and informal verbal feedback). Attached to this case is the City's 2014 citizen survey. Page 11 depicts rankings of City sponsored events. The EDA Business Expo ranks 6 of 7.
(2) Staff believes the EDA business expo is "losing momentum" for a two major reasons.
(2) Staff believes the EDA business expo is "losing momentum" for a two major reasons.
(A) through 2012, the EDA business expo was combined with the annual EPB Environmental Expo--which provided various positive overlaps and momentum between both events (for customers and vendors alike; and for coordination/ marketing). The EPB expo was dissolved in 2013. The EPB decided to shift their resources to Happy Days.
(B) the competing Ramsey Happy Business Expo has seen greater success in attracting vendors and patrons than the EDA business expo.
(B) the competing Ramsey Happy Business Expo has seen greater success in attracting vendors and patrons than the EDA business expo.
(3) The EDA Business Expo and the Happy Days Business Expo are City organized, executed, and funded events. Both events serve similar businesses/vendors. Both events serve similar patrons. By eliminating one of these events, the City is able to reallocate its limited resources (specifically human capital). Eliminating one of these events is a large savings in staff time.
Please see attached proposal and data sheet. NOTE: the attached data sheet includes event attendance estimations--these estimations are anecdotal (from staff's viewpoint only).
Action:
Provide staff direction on EDA Business Expo
--does the EDA want to move forward with an EDA expo in 2016?
--if no, how would the EDA like to reallocate the EDA expo budget in 2016?
--does the EDA want to move forward with an EDA expo in 2016?
--if no, how would the EDA like to reallocate the EDA expo budget in 2016?
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Ulrich | Kathy Schmitz | 12/31/2015 02:06 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Patrick Brama
- Started On:
- 12/21/2015 01:50 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 12/31/2015