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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Top 5 suggestions:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Have fun with it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#4F6228'>Chuck Arnold<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#4F6228'>Downtown Bend Business Association<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#4F6228'>a nonprofit working to keep downtown vibrant<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#4F6228'>www.DowntownBend.org <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#4F6228'>(541) 788-3628<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> oms_managers-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us [mailto:oms_managers-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Angi Ford<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 22, 2012 1:42 PM<br><b>To:</b> OMS Listserve<br><b>Subject:</b> [OMS_MANAGERS] First Friday Event Suggestions<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Oregon Mainstreeters,<br><br>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.<br><br>Thank you,<br>Angi Ford<br>Sherwood Main Street<br>503-625-7800<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>