Forums & Workshops

Downtown New Jersey offers a variety of in-person and virtual opportunities for downtown managers, economic development professionals, and public officials to exchange ideas about best practices related to downtown economic development. Check out the opportunities to interact with your peers below.

Upcoming Forums

Past Forums

Click “Learn More” for summaries, videos, PowerPoints, and other resources.

Digital Resources for Downtowns

June 12, 2020 – Now more than ever, “going digital” is necessary to stay relevant and present in the consumer’s mind. At this forum, we heard about a few of the digital resources that our members have found valuable for both their downtown and their businesses.

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Farmers Markets in the New Normal

May 13, 2020 – During an online Downtown Management Forum, we were joined by Rachel Sieg of the HDSID and Rebecca Hersh of Main Street Highland Park, to lead a conversation about reopening farmer’s markets safely and successfully.

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Supporting Local Economies

April 28, 2020 – As part of Sustainable Jersey’s Virtual Summit, Downtown New Jersey Executive Director, Courtenay Mercer and NJDCA’s Neighborhood Preservation Program Administrator, Jef Buehler discussed how we can support local business when it’s not business as usual.

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Downtown Budgeting Now

April 24, 2020 – We were joined by Donna Ann Harris of Heritage Consulting Inc. to discuss the BID board’s role in financial oversight and budgeting in light of COVID-19 economic impacts.

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Real Estate Market Recovery

April 17, 2020 – We were joined by Marta Person Villa, NJ Retail Lead and Senior Vice President with Jones Lang LaSalle and a former SID director, municipal administrator, and DNJ President. Ms. Villa discussed “what’s next” – how does your downtown recover from economic upheaval, and what can you do now to plan for a time when we’re all back to business?

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Survival Marketing

April 3, 2020 – Mike Blinder, Founder & President of The Blinder Group, publisher of Editor & Publisher Magazine, and author of Survival Selling Even in the Toughest Times presented his Survival Marketing Workshop on how to market effectively in tough economic times.

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Economic Relief Legislation

March 27, 2020 – We were joined by Christina Fuentes, Director of Small Business Services at NJEDA and Erika Calderon, Small Business Legislative Aid from Senator Menendez’s office to discuss programs to provide economic relief to downtowns and small business.

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