“It doesn’t matter where you are, you are
nowhere compared to where you can go.” -Bob
Proctor
Last month, I shared one of the promotional projects the
Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) team has recently implemented – the
monthly radio program entitled the Downtown
Dialogue. The show airs at Noon
every third Monday on 1400AM/KSPT and on 1450AM/KBFI, and is hosted by the
B.I.D. manager (me) and Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Communications
Manager, Mack Deibel.
On the February 17th airing, we shared the
microphone with Ranel Hanson, owner of Zany Zebra and member of the Downtown
Sandpoint Shopping District, and Denise Alvaeri, Public Relations maven for
Pend Oreille Winery. They each had the
opportunity to not only share the outstanding events and promotions their
establishments are sponsoring for Winter Carnival, but also gave the listening
audience important information on upcoming news and events. The show was fun and informative for the
listeners, and it also served as a great way for both of those businesses to
promote themselves on the radio at NO COST to them – an outstanding benefit for
B.I.D. members in good standing!
Our goal with the Downtown
Dialogue is to create a forum for open discussion on events, issues and
general topics-of-interest pertaining to downtown Sandpoint. We will continue working with our
constituents in all areas represented in the B.I.D.: Restaurants, Education,
Real Estate, Professional/Banking/Law, Health Care, Retail, Arts/Entertainment,
Lodging, and At Large/Miscellaneous businesses and organizations. We will also
host future conversations with our partners at the City of Sandpoint, Bonner
County Economic Development Corporation, and many others.
In a recent meeting with a concerned BID member, they
shared with us the importance of understanding the difference in individual
business models. The reformed B.I.D.
Council and staff is working hard on identifying improved strategies and events
to creatively market the B.I.D. constituency, in a solid effort to answer the
concerns of the various sectors we represent.
We recognize that while a promotion may work well for one type of business,
it may fall completely flat for another.
There are no cookie cutter businesses in the B.I.D., and
that is a wonderful thing. However, it does create challenges (albeit not
insurmountable) for us as we work towards our mission of cultivating year-round
economic prosperity and vitality within the district – we need your input on
what YOU feel the B.I.D. can do to help you get the word out on the services
you provide. Reach out to your sector
representative, and share your ideas.
Your representative is your voice, and he/she will bring those ideas to
the Council table. This is where real
change in the B.I.D. begins!
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