West Bank Music Fest – Coupon Book

May 17th, 2012  / Author: JamieSchumacher

The West Bank Business Association is excited to announce a new shopper incentive program, helping local businesses leverage the West Bank Music Festival. Please read on for more details.

What’s the deal?

Not all West Bank businesses participate in the West Bank Music Festival – but we want them ALL to benefit.

The West Bank Business Association is putting together a coupon card and booklet that will be distributed to guests of the festival. Our distribution goal is 10,000 copies.

Guests will be invited to come back to the West Bank after the festival to use all the great discounts. Area business are eligible to participate for free!

How It Works:

It’s easy! You set the discount. We make the book.

You can submit your coupon information online easily using this simple form.

People are more likely to use cards vs coupons – so we’ll also be making a custom punch-card that guests can carry with them easily and providing you with special hole-punchers. Coupons will expire December 31, 2012.

At the end of this promotion, we’ll be asking you for feedback about your participation.

Not web savvy? Contact the West Bank Business Association for help.
612-326-9652 or info@thewestbank.org

Want more?

Looking for a little more OOMPH than a coupon? We’re also selling ad space in the coupon booklet.

Ad space sold in the booklet will help support our year-round member services.

For more information on ad space and rates, please download the flyer or contact us at info@thewestbank.org

Coupon Ideas

There are a lot of different ways you can handle your coupon. The best method is to select a discount that draws people to your business but where you can still turn a profit.

Some ideas are:

  • 10% off any purchase
  • Buy-one-get-one-free (or 1/2 off) ticket sales
  • Free size upgrade on your drink
  • Free appetizer with meal and drink purchase

Or get creative! There are lots of ways you can encourage not just patronization of your business, but encourage the kinds of patrons you want to see. Nonprofits and non-retail businesses can participate in this program too. More examples:

  • Free hug or high five with any contribution or new membership
  • Free coffee if you rode your bike (proof of ridership required… your helmet!)

We’re going to do our best to get business in your door!

The deadline for coupon participation and ad sales is June 30. 2012.

The more businesses that participate in this effort, the better it is for everyone involved! Please help us get the word out. You can find a flyer about this program here:

West Bank Music Festival- Incentive Card (pdf)

About Us

The West Bank Business Association is a 501(c)6 nonprofit. Our mission is to strengthen and celebrate the neighborhood by promoting the area and connections between its residents, businesses, institutions, and organizations.

Opportunity for Small Businesses

May 7th, 2012  / Author: JamieSchumacher

The Minnesota Trade Office has funds available to help eligible small businesses begin exporting or increase their exports, through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Eligible small businesses may apply for reimbursement of up to $5000 for certain export development activities, such as:

  • Mission fees for participation in foreign trade missions
  • Space rental for trade show exhibitions
  • Services offered by the U.S. Commercial Service such as Gold Key Service
  • Design of international marketing products or campaigns
  • Translation of websites into foreign languages

More information can be found at: http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/Business/Exporting_Trade/STEP_Export_Assistance_for_Small_Business/index.aspx

Funds are limited, and activities must be completed by September 1, 2012. For questions, please contact Jennifer Kocs at 651-259-7488 or Jennifer.Kocs-at-state.mn.us. (replace -at- with @)

Member Meeting + News

May 4th, 2012  / Author: JamieSchumacher

Hello everybody,

Some news and updates for you before we head into the weekend. Mark your calendars – our member meeting is scheduled for Thursday May 17, 4pm.

News
As most of you have already heard, we had some really bad news this week. Russom wanted me to share this report on the stabbing that occured on Tuesday: (word doc – MR-5-3-2012-Jama-Charging.doc)

We’re very grateful to note that the new Cedar Riverside/West Bank Safety Center will be opening soon. There will be an open house next week on Friday the 11th, from 3:30pm – 5:00pm. (pdf flyer – http://ow.ly/aIheT)

Opportunity
Next week, the Twin Cities will welcome one of the most influential names in city futures and urban revitalization, Charles Landry. He’ll be doing two events in our area:

Sunday, May 6: Central Corridor Station Area Walking Tours
10:00 a.m.- Noon
Westbank Station (Registration not required) (Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 South 4th Street, Minneapolis)

Monday, May 7: Connecting Cities, Connecting Cultures
Station Area Workshops
1:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m. West Bank Station Area (Brian Coyle Center, 420 15th Avenue South, Minneapolis)
RSVP to Amelia Brown at ABrown@LISC.org

For more information and other workshop opportunities, please visit funderscollaborative.org/landry

Best,
Jamie