HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.a. Home Show Discussion
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Port Authority Date: August 15, 2017
AGENDA SECTION:
AGENDA ITEM: Home Show Discussion
New Business
PREPARED BY: Kim Lindquist, Deputy Director AGENDA NO. 4.a.
ATTACHMENTS: None. APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Provide Staff Direction
ISSUE
The Chair has indicated an interest in the City initiating a Home and Garden show, similar to some of
our neighboring cities. We have reached out to several cities to ask how they run their shows and if
there are any particular nuances associated with their show. The following is a brief listing of
information found:
Apple Valley: The Home and Garden Show is a Chamber-run event with City participation.
Eagan: The Home and Leisure show is run exclusively by the City with advertising assistance
through the Convention and Visitors Bureau. There is a staff person responsible for
coordinating the Show along with their other responsibilities as the operator of the Civic
Arena and Cascade Bay Waterpark. There isn’t a geographic requirement regarding
participants.
Farmington: The Farmington Community Expo results from a partnership between ISD 192
and the Farmington Business Association. The vendors include city businesses, city booths
and education booths. The Expo is limited to organizations and businesses within the 192
School District boundaries.
Lakeville: The Lakeville Landscape and Home Expo is a Lakeville Chamber of Commerce
initiative. All vendors need to be members of the Chamber.
Savage: the Savage Home, Garden & More Show is put together by the Savage Chamber of
Commerce. The show is open to all businesses
As shown above, most of the Home Show events are either wholly or in part sponsored by the local
Chamber. Staff has approached the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce (which
represents 8 cities) about participating in a Home Show with the City. Chamber staff will discuss the
proposal internally and follow up with City staff. It should be noted that the current transition of the
Executive Director at the Chamber likely limits their capacity to commit to new initiatives for 2018,
and could also affect their ability to be of full assistance to the City.
If the Port Authority wants to sponsor this event, as an economic development initiative, it appears
the project could possibly become a City sponsored event without the partnerships afforded in our
neighboring communities. This initiative will be a new program not currently occurring at the City and
will require additional staff time currently allocated elsewhere. If the Port Authority deems this is a
high priority service, staff will shift resources to this project.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide staff direction.
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