As a reminder, the "Experience Uptown" event will be held September 7, 8 and 9. Click the "Wilson Area Merchants Association" link on the left to purchase your wristband now. An organizer wrote in to "Uptown Update" with the following info:
A couple folks have asked, “Where is the $10 per wristband is going?” As a not-for-profit we’ve had to build from the ground up with a website, communications, etc. We hope to be a significant support system to the business community and we thought starting off with an event that promotes the neighborhood, enjoying the community and all the businesses have to offer would be a good start. Money spent on the event so far has gone for advertising, posters, flyers, banners, etc. We hope to make "Experience Uptown" an annual event, adjusting each year for knowledge and key learnings to make the event better each time.
Another question we’ve had is, “How are you different than the Chamber of Commerce?” Other communities have a Chamber of Commerce (Lakeview actually has two) and they also have Merchant Associations similar to Wilson Area Merchants Association (WAMA). We took lead from North Halsted Merchants Association (NAMA) http://www.northalsted.com They were established 20 years ago and have been a great help to us. They are seen in Lakeview as an organization that promotes the business community in unique ways, such as, Market Days which was started by NAMA 20 years ago as a sidewalk sale.
A couple folks have asked, “Where is the $10 per wristband is going?” As a not-for-profit we’ve had to build from the ground up with a website, communications, etc. We hope to be a significant support system to the business community and we thought starting off with an event that promotes the neighborhood, enjoying the community and all the businesses have to offer would be a good start. Money spent on the event so far has gone for advertising, posters, flyers, banners, etc. We hope to make "Experience Uptown" an annual event, adjusting each year for knowledge and key learnings to make the event better each time.
Another question we’ve had is, “How are you different than the Chamber of Commerce?” Other communities have a Chamber of Commerce (Lakeview actually has two) and they also have Merchant Associations similar to Wilson Area Merchants Association (WAMA). We took lead from North Halsted Merchants Association (NAMA) http://www.northalsted.com They were established 20 years ago and have been a great help to us. They are seen in Lakeview as an organization that promotes the business community in unique ways, such as, Market Days which was started by NAMA 20 years ago as a sidewalk sale.
We think this event could be the start of something great. Many Uptowners complain there aren't enough festivals and whatnot, so we need to do all we can to support this event. Purchase your wristbands folks!
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