“Downtown Visions- #BeHere Geo Project”
Introduction to the #BeHere Geo Project
Downtown Visions Main Street Program is working to develop and implement a geo-social and social media presence for every business in the Downtown Business Improvement District. Businesses need to be more visible to the growing number of users of smart phone and online technologies. The objective of this program is to increase visibility, awareness and easy directional information to these users. We began the process by accumulating the exact address, contact information and other data from the 355 street level businesses in Downtown Wilmington. A team of approximately 40 Geo-Social experts then electronically placed every business on Foursquare, Google Places, Gowalla & Facebook Places. We are now in the process of connecting directly with Google and Foursquare to update existing Places, remove duplicates and add new businesses.
Currently, each business within the BID has a web page on www.downtownvisions.org A QR Code will be created and a marketing campaign initiated that will place information in every building, hotel, office, business, elevator, etc. throughout the 70 block area of Downtown Wilmington. This code will launch a mobile version of the website that will provide a directory of over 355 businesses including, dining, entertainment, shops, every parking facility and much more. The “Mobile App” is intended to be the most comprehensive “Need to Know” resource for the Wilmington area. The application will also be synced with www.inwilmingtonde.com, the city’s premier arts and entertainment guide and www.visitwilmingtonde.com the destination site for visitors managed by GWCVB.
The plan includes equipping each of the Downtown Visions Ambassadors and Volunteer Guides with smart phones and tablets to assist visitors, downtown workers and residents.
Proposal to Partners
Downtown Visions is offering sponsorship and partnering opportunities to launch our new innovative #BeHere Geo Project. This provides an opportunity to be appropriately positioned as a sponsor of the most innovative, technologically advanced business development project taking place within Delaware.
Many of the businesses who will benefit most from the Geo Project do not have the funds available to participate in this type of innovative marketing approach. By providing this resource to them, businesses will be able to increase their brand awareness and ultimately increase economic stability.
An independent contractor has estimated a cost of $1250 per business to collect relevant information from participating businesses, create and edit Google Places and Facebook business profiles,create and/or claim business locations on Foursquare, Gowalla, Manta, Superpages, Yellowpages, Yahoo, Decidio, and Merchant Circle and to educate businesses on how to use their online presence to promote their services.
Our goal is to offer these services to the street level businesses at a nominal fee in partnership with a pool of small independent contractors, many of which would be start up companies. Wilmington is lucky in that there are a large number of people who understand and use social media on a daily basis and truly would like to share their knowledge.
Sponsorship Benefits
Affiliation with the Geo Project will position partners as cutting edge providers of Geo-social and business services to over 355 downtown businesses and to the consumers who visit Downtown Wilmington.
Direct Benefits include:
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Placement of a banner on the Downtown Wilmington website with a link to your company website providing brand exposure to an estimated 100,000 people who are within the district on any given business day.
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Logo incorporated into all marketing and promotional materials for the Geo Project.
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Representative of your company may serve on the planning committee for the Geo Project.
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Opportunity for one-on-one meetings with participating businesses through educational programs at business sites and within group training sessions.
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Participation in the press conference for the initial launch of the program.
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Business name included in all press releases and media coverage associated with the Geo Project.
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Recognized as official DTV partner with access to the database of over 355 Downtown businesses and allowed direct contact with business owners to promote services.
DTV’s Vision for Economic Revitalization
The Geo Project is the latest in a series of important economic revitalization projects undertaken by DTV.
Our earliest new business initiative began in 2005 with the launch of the Wilmington Farmer’s Market at Rodney Square. More recently, DTV has been actively engaged in encouraging significant private investment in the District, particularly along the Market Street and 9th Street corridors.
The Buccini-Pollin Group, Preservation Initiatives, Pettinaro Enterprises, The Commonwealth Group, McConnell Johnson and Delaware Offices are among a number of developers who have purchased and begun renovations of older historic commercial buildings within the business improvement district.
DTV is working closely with these developer-investors, as well as our non-profit affiliates. The Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD), for example, is well positioned to generate economic activity and renters in the downtown sector, and the Delaware Historical Society provides guidance for restoring many of Downtown Wilmington’s historic buildings.
Business Recruitment & Support
Having added a Director of Economic Restructuring and by working with a consultant, Retail Marketing Answers, DTV has identified specific types of small businesses that would fit and be successful within each commercial block, beginning with Market Street.
This has helped us recruit a host of new retailers to the District, and gives us block-by-block objectives to reference when meeting with new business prospects. Some new businesses in progress include a flower shop, bakery, men’s apparel, delicatessen, coffee shop with gaming, destination restaurants, and small entertainment venues.
Urban Planning
Successful economic revitalization is done best within the context of a compelling overall plan. A great urban plan acknowledges that more residents are essential in order to fuel business growth; and that green spaces, entertainment and recreational opportunities are needed to attract those residents and provide a high quality of living. Each resident is a potential customer for Verizon and developing a strong relationship with them early will enable you to capture this burgeoning consumer base.
During 2012, DTV will sponsor the creation of Downtown Wilmington’s first comprehensive urban plan, guided by a coalition of interested and committed local businesses and non-profit leaders. Early involvement with projects like the #BeHere Geo Project will position your company as a leading supporter of Downtown Revitalization as we move forward with the planning and implementation of the urban plan.
Summary
While the first two phases of the #BeHere project bring each of our businesses up to the new baseline of internet and directory advertising, we are dedicated to taking them to the next level of business productivity through the use cutting-edge wireless and cloud technologies. More productive businesses are more stable businesses, and thus better consumers. A partnership with DTV is naturally synergetic, as we strive to provide valuable, innovative services to the BID.
The formation of a master plan will provide the blueprint for Wilmington’s full revitalization, creating a new “Vision” for Downtown, while laying out the necessary steps for facilitation. DTV’s #BeHere Geo Project is a key element to the overall plan and is critical to its success.
We understand that you receive many requests and must select carefully based upon where your investments will have the greatest impact. Downtown Visions is a top-notch community based partner known for getting things done efficiently and effectively. We hope you will find merit in the #BeHere Geo Project and consider investing in the future of Downtown Wilmington.
Thank you for your kind consideration of our request.
Martin P. Hageman
Executive Director
Downtown Visions
Contact: Downtown Visions
Attn: Will Minster
Director of Economic Restructuring
409 N. Orange Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-425-5373
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