2017 Annual EDA Business Expo

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 ($700 estimated)
• Equipment Rentals: tables, chairs, drapes ($1,000 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)
• 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 $5,000.  Considering items above, expenditures will be $7,295.  Staff estimates revenues will be about $2,400 (based on 2015 revenue).  

 

See observations section.

Survey
Attached to this case are survey results from the 2016 business expo.  This survey was conducted to see if an appetite existed to combine the spring business expo with the fall happy days business expo (as previously suggested by staff); in an effort to streamline use of staff resources.  The City's EDA Business Expo has ranked low in ratings from Ramsey residents (via the City's 2014 and 2016 annual citizen survey, and via staff observations over the years).  Based on the attached survey results, and previous feedback from the multiple EDA discussions, it appears support to combine these events does not exist.  Moving forward, these two events will remain stand alone events.

Date Selection
Saturday, March 18 and Saturday, April 8 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 18.  However, staff would also note, March 18 is part of the Anoka Hennepin School District Spring Break (arguments could be made both ways, that it could help or hurt).
 

No specific action requested.  Staff welcomes suggestions and comments.  If no comments are made, staff will move ahead with March 18 as the 2017 event date.  More updates to come.