Posted by:
Steve Dubb
Annual conference in Tampa, Florida, April 8-11
The American Independent Business Association (AMIBA) is holding its annual conference April 8-11 in Tampa, Florida. Early registration deadline is March 15th. On-line registration closes March 31st.
Founded in 1998, AMIBA works to build vital local economies based on independent, locally-owned businesses and prevent chain proliferation and other trends from displacing local entrepreneurs. IBAs unite locally-owned independent businesses, citizens and community organizations to achieve this goal. AMIBA defines a local business as a business with:
1) Private, Employee, Community or Cooperative ownership
2) At least 50% owned by area resident(s)
3) Full decision-making function for the business lies with its owner(s)
4) Limited number of locations, all within a within a single state or region
The conference aims to help participants learn how to organize a successful “buy local” campaign in their home communities and to share ideas on how to ramp up the power of existing campaigns,
Topics covered at the conference include:
Using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media
Getting Local Government Buy-in
Maximize the impact of your messaging and storytelling
Partnering with community development financial institutions (CDFIs)
Forwarding Local Policy Initiatives
Developing a Working Board that Works
Loyalty Programs
Appealing to Local Institutions (i.e., hospitals, universities and other anchors)
Untapped Power of Community Capital
Benefits of Membership
Getting Grants
Local Food (and communty food enterprise