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Page 1 of 1 <br /> <br />DATE: March 2, 2016 EDC Agenda Item 4.B <br /> <br />TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners <br /> <br />FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Small Business Workshop <br /> <br /> The City of Arden Hills collaborated with the City of Shoreview, the Saint Paul Area Chamber <br />of Commerce, and the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce on the Shoreview-Arden Hills <br />Business Council. The Business Council met monthly. Speakers were invited to give <br />presentations on public policy and other topics of interest to local businesses, and attendees <br />shared information and news updates in a round robin. Unfortunately, attendance at the Business <br />Council meetings dwindled, and the cities decided to try a new approach to business outreach. <br /> <br />The Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation (VHEDC) has had success with free <br />small business workshops. Staff met with the VHEDC to determine if there was an opportunity <br />to partner on future workshops. During discussions, it was decided to widen the reach of the <br />workshops to all communities along the Highway 96 corridor in order to maximize attendance <br />and provide additional networking opportunities for local businesses. <br /> <br />The Cities of Arden Hills, Shoreview, New Brighton, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, and <br />North Oaks; White Bear Lake Township; the Economic Development Corporations for White <br />Bear Lake and Vadnais Heights; the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce; the Twin Cities <br />North Chamber of Commerce; and the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce are all <br />participating in marketing the workshop and will contribute to planning future events. The cost <br />to the participating entities is expected to be minimal as speakers are willing to exchange their <br />time for the networking opportunity, and marketing will be done electronically. <br /> <br />The first workshop will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2016, at the Vadnais Heights Fairfield <br />Inn. The topic is Content Marketing – how it has put the consumer in control of the buyin g <br />process and what that means for marketing. The workshop will show how to plan, create, and <br />promote content that delivers a return. <br /> <br />Networking begins at 7:30 am, and the workshop and interactive panel session are scheduled <br />from 8:00 to 9:30 am. Registration information can be found in the attached flyer. <br /> <br />Attachment <br /> Marketing flyer <br /> <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br />