7. EDSR 10-10-2011Item #7.
MEMORANDUM
Kiver
TO: Economic Development Authority
FROM: Clay Wilfahrt, Assistant Director of Economic Development
DATE: 10 October 2011
SUBJECT: Marketing Update
ATTACHMENTS
• Draft direct mail
• Social media and City website Statistics
MINNESOTA COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS EXPO
As in past years, staff will be attending the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors Expo on
October 20`". Staff will be promoting available property in Elk River focusing on promoting sites and
incentives fox restaurant recruitment.
Staff created a marketing piece to showcase current restaurants in Elk River as well as potential
restaurants. Staff has partnered with local restaurants to collect over $150 in donated gift cards to attract
attendees to the booth. Staff will educate the site selectors, brokers, and developers about the positive
business climate of Elk River. The expo attracts a large crowd of commercial brokers, site selectors and
developers, and staff expects to attract over 200 of them to the booth.
MANUFACTURERS WEEK
Minnesota Manufacturers Week is October 24`" -October 28t". The City Council will be considering a
resolution proclaiming Manufacturers Week at tonight's Council meeting. Minnesota Manufacturers
Week is held every year to recognize the contributions of our manufacturers to our economy. Local
governments are also encouraged to hold special events during this week.
This year staff is organizing several events during Manufacturers Week. Staff is partnering with both Big
Lake and Monticello to host a Manufacturers Meet and Greet. Over 20 manufacturers as well as
representatives from state and regional economic development organizations and educational facilities will
be meeting on October 26t''.
The intent of the Meet and Greet is to establish connections between manufacturers. These connections
will serve as a resource network in the future, and problems and ideas can be shared more easily between
the manufacturers. Several representatives of educational facilities and state and regional economic
development groups will be present to discuss training programs as well as other workforce and policy
issues. Staff has heard from several manufacturers who expressed interest in meeting other manufacturers
in the area.
In partnership with the Elk River Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Workforce Center, staff is
organizing an open house with local manufacturers to educate our community about manufacturing.
Metal Craft will be offering tours to interested participants. Staff is working with other manufacturers as
well. This event will take place on Saturday October 29`" between gam and 12pm. The public is
encouraged to attend and learn more about these manufacturers.
RETAIL TRADE ANALYSIS.
Staff is working with the University of Minnesota Extension office to review the report. Demographics
and spending statistics will be pulled from this report for use in restaurant and other marketing materials.
A public presentation of the report may be held in the future. The Report can be viewed at www.ci.elk-
river.mn.us /economicdevelopment
FACEBOOK
Staff has administered an economic development Facebook page for nearly three years and has over 450
fans. Attached is a copy of statistics for both our Facebook page and our economic development
webpage. This is included to emphasize the importance of a strong social media presence. The economic
development Facebook page alone receives over 12,000 post views, and the economic development web
site receives about 300 page views. Elk River has a tremendous social media presence, and staff is
working with other departments to strengthen their respective Facebook pages. This is a task which
supports our vision and is also a branding plan recommendation. Staff will continue to work together to
maximize and streamline social media efforts.
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