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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-11 PACKET 07.FROM: Danette Parr, Economic Development Director DATE: October 6, 2011 RE: Retail Marketing Meeting On September 14 the City hosted a marketing meeting at River Oaks for Cottage Grove retailers. The meeting gave an opportunity for the following: • Share information related to what the City currently does to support retailers in Cottage Grove through such marketing efforts as the Shop Local website, Growth Partners website, and various other outreach efforts. • Educate retailers on the various events and tournaments held in Cottage Grove throughout the year that provide natural marketing opportunities to a captive audience. ® Brainstorm possible ways that we can collectively improve marketing efforts by pooling resources. • Establish a dialog and create an even stronger working relationship with our retailers. The meeting was attended by approximately 30 people and allowed for ample discussion among participants. While we would have liked to have had a greater number of participants, the individuals in attendance expressed appreciation for being able to take part in the worthwhile event. Those in attendance were assembled together in small groups to brainstorm marketing ideas. Many duplicate ideas were discussed among the groups, but a number of new ideas were brought up as well. The following is the list that was generated: • New Resident Packets (w /Park High School) • Market with pet licenses • Business coupons • Coupon /map /GPS address • Email listings /advertisements Economic Development Authority Marketing Meeting Page 2 of 5 • Dog park listings /advertisements • Chamber Business Showcase Host a "Marketfest" • Build on Cottage Grove as a "unique destination" • Market the City at -large • Hot Deals from Chamber • On -line or newspaper coupons • Passport program — buy local • You Tube videos • Uniqueness /destinations • Create destinations: i.e.: Majestic as a roller rink • Highway signs as advertisements • Convenience factor • Get people to live and work here (KEY) • Women's Health Expo • Food Expo (Taste of Cottage Grove - school venue) • Senior Day • Sunday sports special • Partner coupons (Get businesses to work together to jointly create coupons) • Wood bucks (source themed) • Facebook/Twitter or other social media • Utilize Park classes • Market through garbage service • Market through water billing Economic Development Authority Marketing Meeting Page 3 of 5 • Hotel book (profiling the City and having in each room with coupons and map • E -mail list serve • Provide and promote logo for locally owned businesses • Improve the cosmetic look of the City • Build community loyalty • Round table forums to help start -up businesses • Advertising in the Bulletin • Coupon Tuesdays -take competitors coupons • Tournaments - partner with Bonngard's (food truck, not tent) • Healthfair Use Park and Rec opportunities to draw people to business districts Other Miscellaneous Comments: • Get places that provide organic foods • Look at improving and providing good access • Work harder with the County to get better access to stores at 70 and Hinton. • Improve the disjointed shopping areas (Woodbury areas are more connected and more desirable) • Have stores next to each other that create synergy • Fix up the west side of Hwy 61 to make more appealing • EDA: Do something to help facelift of vacant buildings (such as KFC, etc) • Loosen the Sign Code • Be proactive and have program to help owners sell property • Provide low interest loans for remodeling (use carrot approach) for businesses • Clean up what we have to attract new businesses Economic Development Authority Marketing Meeting Page 4 of 5 • Sit down with owners and ask them about their problems • Ask people why or why not they live here and /or work here • Ask people how we can help get people to create jobs • Mississippi river access • Fill Home Depot site • Improve accessibility for Rainbow mall (better flow through lot) • Raise expectations for community and new businesses • Work with County to get more money to get: - Grants for small businesses - Loan programs - Home improvement programs - Improved transportation • Send City Council minutes to business owners • Let people know what is happening with Home Depot mall • City needs to reach out more to businesses for community service, partnerships, and sponsorships • Provide more retail variety: - Fitness center - Macy's - More places to eat - Costco - Movies Economic Development Authority Marketing Meeting Page 5 of 5 Community Survey update: -Local survey -Point of purchase • Share / publish information related to the Community Survey results The City will be distributing the list of ideas to all Cottage Grove retailers and inviting them to a follow up meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 2 rd at 7:30 a.m. at River Oaks. The meeting is being held to further discuss the ideas presented at the previous retailers meeting and work to establish a course of action going forward. We encourage the EDA to take part in this event.