Shop Talk
One of the first projects was Shop Talk, a series of interviews, photos and short videos about Downtown business owners. The idea was to show people who's behind the storefronts. It's still a good example of how we like to work.
Events, Art and Advocacy
The work went well past advertising. Over the next few years it included:
- The Downtown Street Fair, grown to more than 30,000 people
- Business promotions and social media
- Interactive public art, including murals people can step into for photos
- The Back Door Art Gallery
- Beautification projects and community partnerships
- Advocacy on behalf of Downtown businesses
Back Door Art Gallery
PADBID partnered with the Mann Art Gallery and Studio Q on the Back Door Art Gallery, which puts the work of local artists on the back doors of ten Downtown businesses between River Street East and 10th Street East. It turns the alleys into a gallery anyone can walk through and gives people one more reason to explore Downtown.
Downtown Security
People won't come Downtown if they don't feel comfortable there. PADBID created a Downtown security program that business owners have used as a resource to improve safety and security and the Downtown customer experience.
PADBID also worked with non-profit organizations to direct vulnerable people to the agencies and resources available to them.
What We Took From It
Promotion on its own only goes so far. What made a difference Downtown was Marketing, events, safety and showing up for the businesses, all at the same time.