Exit133

November 20, 2012 · Exit133

Special Events for Economic Development

Last week the City Council voted on an ordinance to move responsibility for special events permitting from the City Clerk to the Community and Economic Development Department. And that got us thinking…

There seem to be a couple potential advantages to the move. First, it is an effort to streamline the event permitting process, making it more user-friendly both for individuals and groups trying to put on events in Tacoma, and for the residents, businesses, and others who might be affected by those events. Second, by moving special events under CED, there could be a greater opportunity to better leverage events to stimulate economic development in Tacoma.

So we were thinking, the real economic stimulus benefit of special events doesn’t come from one-off events going smoothly, although that is important. The real, noticeable benefit that can have an impact on a city comes from the ongoing, cumulative impact of multiple events that not only go smoothly, but are well integrated into the community, and well publicized beyond. Engaging stakeholders, working with small businesses, facilitating collaboration… Sounds like a possible recipe for development.

With the move to bring special events under Community and Economic Development, what other possibilities open up for our community?

Filed under: City Government, City Services, Economic Development

4 comments

  • Ingrid Walker November 20, 2012

    Maybe something like this?

    The IDEA Festival started years ago when I lived in Lexington, KY. Over time, it has morphed from an interesting pre-TED idea festival to something that has stimulated several city projects and organizational collaborations in business and non-profit.
    http://www.ideafestival.com/

    Or, how about we convince the Maker Faire to come north before Seattle or Portland does?

  • Jesse November 20, 2012

    A Saturday Market on Broadway just south of the Elks. There’s plenty of roll-up doors with paking behind them, and the grafitti garage space that could be used for the art booths in a covered but outside area and the surface level parking lot south of Elks/Spanish stairs could be a food cart roundup. Cart roundup and music stage sponsored by McMenamins.

    I would love to be on the committee to make that happen. My dream job would be to work for the Economic Development Dept in Tacoma so I could do that stuff full time…

  • Jenny Jenkins November 20, 2012

    I love the idea of a Saturday Market like a smaller version of the Portland Saturday Market. And the graffiti garages would be a cool place for it.

  • fred davie November 21, 2012

    The Pierce County Health Department makes it hard to sell food on the street in Tacoma and this (I believe) is why you see few food vendors at events such as those under discussion. And the city of Tacoma has an additional layer of regulations with regard to street vending.

    I already have all these permits to sell such products and the red tape, the paperwork, complicated proceedures and expensive fees required are more than it’s worth.