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<br />Case # 1 <br /> <br />ICSCCONFERENCES~Y <br /> <br />By: Sean M. Sullivan, Economic Development Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />The ICSC conference in Las Vegas is the largest retail trade show in the United States. Developers, <br />Retailer, Broker and Land owners are all present to try to build relationships and to get some deals done. <br />The EDA authorized the City Administrator and Economic Development Coordinator to attend the <br />conference at the February meeting. The_Ramsey City Council also authorized sending three of its <br />memb(irs (two of which are EDA members) to the conference to add to the Ramsey contingent. City Staff <br />and Officials met with over 100 developers, retailers, brokers and site selectors to help build relationships. <br /> <br />The conference attendance was between 20 -30,000 according to paid registrations. There were several <br />good educational sessions that were attended by City Staff. Attached is the itinerary from the Economic <br />Development Coordinator that outlines how time was spent and some comments to get. an idea of a day's <br />events. Although few meetings with specific developers are documented for specific times, there were a <br />great nuinber of impromptu meetings that occurred with the parties identified on the ICSC contact list. At <br />these meeting the city distributed its marketing materials (flyers, cue cards, Buxton retail analysis info) <br />and collected information the better defmed what the prospects are looking for in a site. It seemed <br />apparent that the associates we met with were impressed with the materials and preparation we had for the <br />conference. For confidentiality purposes the contact information and individuals identified for targeted <br />companies has been excluded. <br /> <br />Defining roles for the EDA, HRA, City Council and City Staff is important for moving forward <br />efficiently. Up to this point the EDA has authorized the Buxton Study and marketing materials for the <br />Ramsey Town Center project as well as the I 67th commercial node. Continued marketing activities and a <br />seat on a Town Center team would make sense. <br /> <br />The work at the ICSC conference identified many possible retailers and developers for the Ramsey Town <br />Center project. Some ofthe users might be better suited for the 167th commercial node than Town Center. <br />The EDA should discuss and identify which "leads" should be given a high priority and to direct staff to <br />move to the next phase of con tact. To this point we have simply identified the City as a potential- site, <br />provided them with our marketing package consisting of a flyer, cue card and for some, a Buxton piece. <br />Follow-ups are keys to keep Ramsey fresh in the prospects mind but we should try to identify which ones <br />. do have a higher priority. <br /> <br />Funding Source: EDABudget <br /> <br />Staff Recommendation: Select a non-council EDA member to participate in the TownCenter team. <br />Prioritize ICSC contacts and direct staff to follow-up with selected contacts. <br /> <br />EDA Action: <br /> <br />Attachment: <br />Economic Development Coordinator's itinerary <br />lCSC contact list <br /> <br />EDA: 6.11.09 <br /> <br />5 <br />