Wayfinding 2020: Community Signage for Today’s Main Street
By Joe Lawniczak, Wisconsin Main Street It seems there are few areas of life that aren’t being revolutionized by technology, and travel is no different. People rarely read maps
Places Blog: Design for all seasons
For a community’s downtown to be winter-friendly, basic infrastructure must be in place: sidewalks cleared of snow and ice, easy (and snow- and ice-free) access from
Places Blog: Get creative with indoor activities in the winter
Planning for winter outdoor activities can be challenging if these activities rely on the availability of ice or snow. In many communities, ice rinks and sledding
Places Blog: Creative use of light to fight the winter blues
The biggest obstacle to getting people out and about in the winter is the general inertia against leaving the house when it looks so unappealing outside
Places Blog: Which type of sponsorship packet is right for you?
What to consider when choosing between tiered sponsorships, a la carte sponsorships or a mix of both, and between a yearly or per event sponsorship model. Read More
Places Blog: Create a smart sponsorship packet
A sponsorship packet is an integral part of the process. Learn the five things all sponsorship packets need to include and how choose the best time for reaching out to potential sponsors. Read More
Places Blog: Understand why you’re seeking Sponsorships
The first step to creating a sponsorship program that’s a win-win for both the community and sponsor is identifying what you want it to achieve and tailor your sponsorships to meet that goal. Read More
Issues and solutions for parking on Main Street
More often than not, parking issues in downtown districts stem from one or more of the following: confusion about available parking; abuses and enforcement; and physical condition and design. Here are solutions to those issues. Read More
Places blog: Encourage shopping small
While “shop local” campaigns can become controversial, seeming to discourage tourists and/or exclude franchises and other locally operated businesses, shopping small is a strategy that is hard to oppose. Consider the following unique strategies to encourage and recognize customers that make the effort to shop small. Read More
Places blog: Mentors and business partners
Another strategy for ensuring the success of new businesses to your downtown district is to connect them with established mentors. Connecting businesses with mentors that can help them understand the local market, capitalize on or prepare for seasonal changes or major events, and most effectively market to key customer groups can substantially increase their chance of success. Read More
Places blog: Small business support and funding
One constant limitation for many small businesses is a shortage of capital for startup, inventory and expansion. Fortunately, there are many tools available today to allow local investors to fund businesses that they support. Read More
When to end an event that isn’t working
Many communities have traditional events they continue to hold because that is what they have always done—even if it no longer serves a specific purpose for the host organization nor provides a defined benefit for the community. Find key questions to consider when thinking about the future of community events. Read More