My Main Street Now conference started a day before the conference officially got in Philadelphia. A visit of two new colleagues to Princeton reminded me of why I’ve spent more than half my life and the last 17 years as a Main Street leader. Evan leads a national nonprofit that takes vacant storefronts and converts them for artist studio space
We arrived early – well before the announced start time at 730pm. As the crowd filtered in things were orderly. Volunteers shared a qr code with links to a festival map and schedule. Walking around the building before the show i commented on the pegasus with sea tail. We found our spot up close and to the left of center.
The meeting focused on promoting Central Jersey tourism, emphasizing agritourism, heritage tourism, and ecotourism as key pillars. Attendees discussed strategies to boost leisure travel, address uneven post-pandemic recovery, and prepare for the U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026. Jamie Volkert from Mercer County Tourism gave an overview of county actions including developing interactive websites, launching a passport program, and fostering collaboration among
One of the great pieces of transportation infrastructure is also one of the largest art objects in the U.S. We saw Union Station as most people do – rushing to reach their train on time. While approaching in the taxi and rideshare arrivals lane, it was a nice reminder to see how close we were to the U.S. Capitol Building.
My first visit to New Orleans was in January 2006. As a FEMA contractor I was stationed there a few days because there was no place to stay in Baton Rouge where headquarters was. After returning home I recounted the visit in a series of weekly letters that were published in the Downriver Review. Later in 2012 I wrote a
Baltimore has a distinctive character with rowhouses lining many blocks. This self-serve pop-up to sell fresh flowers is an interesting way to activate public spaces and provide a service, while earning some revenue. We wanted to try an ice cream place but it was closed. So we tried the best chocolate covered berries in Baltimore. Was fun to have a
“O say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” These immortal words were penned by Francis Scott Key in Baltimore harbor when he viewed the flag flying over Fort McHenry following a bombardment by the British. In August 1814 the British troops landed at Benedict, Maryland, and headed
Started my morning with friend and colleague Ed Morrison. He made his tacit knowledge available to others, and in so doing helped us learn. In a meeting, Ed discussed the difference between traditional management practices and adaptive management practices, emphasizing the importance of strategic doing. He introduces the concept of clock problems, which are well-defined problems with established solutions, and
It’s a startling fact that roughly half of small businesses close in the U.S. in the first two years and 75% in the first ten years. Add to that fact that when small businesses are facing the decision to close, fewer than 20% are sold so that the business can continue under new ownership. When a small business is unable
Dr. Phillips Center and plaza are an important cultural amenity in Orlando. This massive light pylon with curved glass panels creates a sense of excitement when people visit the plaza in front of the center. Across the street in City Hall Plaza is POP! – a temporary public art installation with five towering monoliths that hold playful creatures that come