[OMS_MANAGERS] First Friday Event Suggestions

[Downtown Bend-Chuck Arnold]

Our FF event has gone on for over 25 years and typically attracts 2,000
people downtown on a slow month and 5,000 on a busy night. Our retailers now
call it "rent" night because of successful sales during the monthly event.

 

Top 5 suggestions:

 

1-Have businesses own it. When each business takes ownership of the event,
it becomes successful. You can suggest that they get involved, but they need
to see value on their own in order to join the event and make a
contribution.

2-Provide assistance. Until our event got on its feet, we helped match
businesses and artists, provided wine for businesses to pour via
sponsorship, and marketed the event heavily. We still do the latter.

3-Don't go 'Vegas'. Our authorities (police and OLCC) are okay with the
event because we make an effort to control alcohol. We provide signs for
each business reminding visitors that wine is not allowed on the sidewalks.
Each business also puts trash cans at their door to help control and
minimize 'walk around' drinks. People still walk around some with cups of
wine, but we make a strong effort to control it.

4-Encourage spontaneity. We have regular 'flash mob' events during FF where
people block the street for a few minutes and have a dance off, a yoga
minute, or other interesting impromptu activity. It's all art and we
encourage it!

5-Don't produce the event for your businesses for free. Businesses won't own
it if they didn't pay for it, so set up a participation fee for businesses
that want to be involved. Something small like $50 that makes it so they are
engaged and place a value on the event. Make sure you are providing a clear
list of benefits for their $50-ie-Your fee goes to: advertising (including a
newspaper ad for the event, social media postings, an event webpage,
posters) which will help drive people to the event and ultimately benefit
your business.

 

Have fun with it!

 

Chuck Arnold

Downtown Bend Business Association

a nonprofit working to keep downtown vibrant

www.DowntownBend.org 

(541) 788-3628

 

From: oms_managers-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
[mailto:oms_managers-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Angi
Ford
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 1:42 PM
To: OMS Listserve
Subject: [OMS_MANAGERS] First Friday Event Suggestions

 

Hi Oregon Mainstreeters,

We are starting First Friday here in Sherwood and looking to learn from
those of you who have a First Friday type of event in your community.  Just
anything you would suggest for a community just getting started, maybe like
your top five must do / don't do type of ideas.

Thank you,
Angi Ford
Sherwood Main Street
503-625-7800

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