Registration Now Open for

2011 Downtown Revitalization and Management Institute

Seminar on Building Destination Businesses Hosted by DCA's Main Street New Jersey Program


 

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lori Grifa today announced that registration is open for the 2011 Downtown Revitalization and Management Institute being hosted by the Main Street New Jersey program on Wednesday, June 8, at the Atlantic City Convention Center. The one-day seminar will focus on how downtown merchants and stakeholders can make businesses a destination for shoppers.  

"Downtowns do not decline overnight. Nor can they be revitalized overnight. Instead, community stakeholders need to put in time and consistent effort to achieve success," said Commissioner Grifa. "Main Street New Jersey through its Downtown Revitalization and Management Institute provides merchants, elected officials, volunteers, and downtown managers with the expertise needed to create vibrant, dynamic town centers."

The upcoming session's theme is "Creating Economic Opportunity:  Building Destination Businesses." Attendees will participate in a variety of workshops on small business retention, advertising, local business tools to survive and thrive, and ways to take advantage of destination qualities. The internationally-known trainers include small business expert Jon Schallert and clownbike.com advertising president Rich Carraro. Both have extensive experience in working with small business owners to create thriving and long-lasting businesses within their communities. NJ Economic Development Authority CEO Caren Franzini and Jef Buehler, Director of Main Street New Jersey and Improvement District Programs, are also scheduled to speak.

The Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute is now in its 12th year. To date, the Institute has held 42 sessions and more than 2,500 participants have taken advantage of this training resource.

The Main Street New Jersey program is a comprehensive revitalization program that promotes the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in New Jersey. These communities receive valuable technical support and training to assist in restoring their Main Streets as centers of community and economic activity.  Main Street New Jersey programs have brought significant numbers of new businesses and jobs to their respective downtowns; please see www.mainstreetnewjersey.com for more information.

To register for the 2011 Downtown Revitalization & Management Institute or to see a detailed agenda, go to http://msnjdrmi.eventbrite.com.

###