Revitalization Series Workshop: The Value & Importance of Meaningful Public Engagement

Join Heritage Ohio in historic downtown Lorain for a day-long workshop to learn effective and proven strategies on engaging your community and how to build buy-in for your latest projects.

Agenda

8:00 | Registration Opens

8:45 | Welcome

9:00 | The Value and Importance of Meaningful Public Engagement

Thomas Starinsky – Thomas Starinsky Planning + Design

David Jurca – Seventh Hill Design

“Do we have to have a community meeting?” Engaging constituents is the hardest part of our jobs as economic development professionals and the most important. We often cringe at the idea of talking with Negative Nelly, Doubting Thomas, and Overzealous Otto, yet the best sign of success is community buy-in.

David and Tom will lead an interactive session on two important aspects of community engagement. First, to understand WHY engagement is an essential tool for success and what type of involvement is right for your community. Then, to understand HOW to effectively engage and communicate with stakeholders so they share in the pride and passion for the project.

You will leave this session with a strong understanding of different community engagement strategies along with practical techniques and practices to involve your stakeholders on that project you can’t wait to get started.

12:00 | Lunch on your own

1:30 | Young Leaders Panel Discussion

3:15 | Social Media: Managing Comments, Conflict, and Community – Joe Dunay, Heritage Ohio

5:00 | Networking