Durango Business Improvement District set to Spring it On!

Umbrella marketing program to promote May events in and around Downtown

 

The Durango Business Improvement District (BID) is set to “Spring it On!” the week of April 26 as it kicks off the umbrella promotion designed to market those events happening in and around Downtown Durango during the month of May 2010.

            “We recognized that spring needed a push,” said Bob Kunkel, BID executive director, of the promotion launched in 2007. “Initially we questioned whether a spring umbrella promotion would provide enough ‘fodder’ to justify a media push. After all, logic dictated that there must be a reason the second quarter has perennially weaker sales tax revenues.”

            Spring it On! 2010 will, however, promote some 30-plus events, many of them multi-day, and help further the adage: a rising tide floats all boats.

            “Activity begets activity. The more folks we can attract to Downtown Durango, the better the sales, and thus the stronger the spring numbers will be as we move into summer,” added Kunkel. “Given the economy, it’s important this year we do all we can to support business in our community.”

            In recent years, the BID’s umbrella promotions, including the holiday effort HOLiDAZZLE and October program, Fall for Durango Days, have helped boost sales tax revenues and stimulate traffic Downtown. For Spring it On! BID is underwriting costs for posters, and print and radio commercials to encourage visitors locally and from outside the county.

            Learn more about Spring it On! and all activities of the Durango Business Improvement District at www.downtowndurango.org, or call 970.375.5067.

The Durango Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 with a goal and mission to support businesses within the District by assisting with special event marketing, providing research on topics of concern to the District (facilities, special events, best practices), planning and development of new facilities, and providing capital budget for equipment that enhances business in the District. Funding is generated by a 1.5 mill levy on property owners within the district, with additional marketing dollars contributed by the City of Durango and Durango Area Tourism Office. BID Board members are John Wells, presiding officer; Bob Allen, Karen Barger, Rod Barker and Tim Wheeler.

 

 

 

Spring it On!

Partial Calendar of Events

 

Saturdays in May

Durango Farmers Market, 382-6468

 

Sundays in May

Durango Flea Market, 385-0385

 

May 1 – Cruise Durango, 5-7 p.m., Town Plaza, 903-1280,

May 1 – Presidential Photographer’s Train, 259-0274, www.durangotrain.com

May 1 – Sweet Sunny South, 8 p.m., Henry Strater Theatre, 247-8395, www.henrystratertheatre.com

May 2 – Cinco de Mayo Family Fiesta at Buckley Park, 247-7654 or [email protected]

May 2-6 – Book Benefit for Kids’ Sake, YESS he Book Hutch, 259-6624

May 2 – Karl Marlantes, “Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War,” Maria’s Bookshop, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 247-1438, www.mariasbookshop.com

May 3 – Betsy McKee Henry, “How to be a Zen Mama,” Maria’s Bookshop, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 247-1438, www.mariasbookshop.com

May 6-8 – Durango Wine Experience, www.durangowine.com

May 7 – Narrow Gauge Days, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 247-0274, www.durangotrain.com

May 7 – The Gourds, 8 p.m., Henry Strater Theatre, 247-8395, www.henrystratertheatre.com

May 7 – Trunk Show, Alternative Horizons benefit, 5:30-8 p.m., Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts, 247-9018, www.karyngabaldon.com

May 7-9 – Durango Shootout Soccer Tournament, www.durangosoccer.com

May 7-9 – Gardenswartz Extravaganza Sporting Goods Sale, 247-2660

May 8 – Silverton Salutations, 10-1:30 a.m., 247-0274, www.durangotrain.com

May 8 – Rocky Mountain Chocolate Sale, 259-0554, www.co.laplata.co.us/fairgounds

May 8 – Garden Club of Durango Annual Plant Sale, Rotary Park, 9-10:30 a.m., 259-5726

May 8 – Sunrise Over Africa Run, 9 a.m., Horse Gulch Trailhead, 764-4608

May 9 – Mothers Day Telegraph Run, 10 a.m. Horse Gulch Trailhead, 375-7306

May 10 – Mark Spragg, “Bone Fire” and Laura Bell, “Claiming Ground,” Maria’s Bookshop, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 247-1438, www.mariasbookshop.com

May 11 – Norma Price, “Crossing with the Virgin,” Maria’s Bookshop, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 247-1438, www.mariasbookshop.com

May 14 – Gallery Walk, 247-9018,

May 14 – Jeff Solon CD Release and Karyn Gabaldon book signing “The Golden Thread,” 5-9 p.m., Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts, 247-9018, www.karyngabaldon.com

May 16 – Taste of Durango, www.tasteofdurango.com

May 18 – Corinne Platt and Meredith Ogilby, “Voices of the American West,” Maria’s Bookshop, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 247-1438, www.mariasbookshop.com

May 20 – Durango Blooms, flower barrels go out, 375-5065

May 20 – Chamber Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Nobody’s Inn, 247-0312, www.durangobusiness.org

May 25, Tiffany Mapel, “A Wild Redhead Tamed,” Maria’s Bookshop, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 247-1438, www.mariasbookshop.com

May 26-31 – Fiesta Days Carnival, 247-2573, www.co.laplata.co.us/fairgounds

May 28 – Downtown Clean Day, 247-0312, www.durangobusiness.org

May 29 – Canines for a Cure, American Cancer Society, 10 a.m., 749-8258, [email protected]

May 29-31 – Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, 799-2423, www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com

May 30 – Narrow Gauge 10-mile and 5K Run, www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com

May 30 – Concert on Main, 799-2423, www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com