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We hope to send out newsletters on a monthly basis. Please accept our apologies for not getting a newsletter out more regularly. We almost named this the Almost Monthly Newsletter .. Enjoy! |
| Annual Spring Luncheon Recap |
 The 2010 Annual Spring Luncheon was held Friday, March 5th, 2010 at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in downtown Wilmington. The event featured Keynote Speaker, NC Senator Kay Hagan and attracted more than 350 of the area's business and community leaders. Special thanks to this year's sponsors: PPD, BB&T, CFCC, First Citizens Bank, Greater Wilmington Business Journal, Griffin Estep, NHRMC, NC Ports, Star News, Wachovia, and Wave Transit. Also, thanks to our table patrons: Alice Mitchell, Bank of America, Bo Dean, Cameron School of Business, Cape Fear Commercial, Craige & Fox, First Federal, Gene Merritt, Lynn McIntyre, and Moxie Floral Design Studio. It's not too late to donate; click here to fill out a pledge card! ( Please fill out and e-mail to office@wilmingtondowntown.com. If you are unable to fill out on your computer, simply print and fill out by hand. Pledge cards can be faxed to (910) 343-6950 or mailed to WDI, P.O. Box 2235 Wilmington, NC 28402.) |
| 63rd Annual NC Azalea Festival |
 The 63rd Annual NC Azalea Festival will be held Wednesday, April 7th through Sunday, April 11th. This year's headline acts feature the Goo Goo Dolls and Montgomery Gentry! For a full list of events, please visit the WDI website or www.ncazaleafestival.org. Also, make sure to check out this year's Main Stage Street Fair.
In preparation for one of the busiest weeks in downtown Wilmington, Azalea Festival, WDI is coordinating volunteers to help remove as much graffiti as possible on April 1st and April 3rd. WDI will be providing graffiti removal chemicals and supplies. Volunteers are welcome! Please contact John Hinnant for more information. |
| Presentation on Historic Preservation Impact |
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The City of Wilmington, Historic Wilmington Foundation and WDI have collaborated to provide an opportunity for you to hear Mr. Donovan Rypkema, President of Heritage Strategies International, discuss the impacts of historic preservation on economic development. A public presentation will be held on Wednesday, April 15th at 6:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers. Mr. Rypkema, a recognized industry leader in the economics of preserving historic structures, has provided services addressing these issues in 49 states and more than 30 countries for government and non-profit organizations. Please plan to attend this presentation to hear more about economic revitalization of downtowns and the rehabilitation of historic structures. |
| The WDI Mobile App is Here! |
Last month, WDI announced a new marketing initiative to benefit all downtown businesses, residents, visitors and others. The WDI mobile app is now available, pushing the already user friendly website mobile. The WDI mobile app was featured in the April edition of Downtown Promotion Reporter, a monthly, 12-page newsletter that provides downtown marketers and event promoters the tools they need to bring crowds and people onto their streets and into their stores, retaurants and busineseses. Each issue is packed with detailed information on some of the best events, sales, festivals, public relations and image-building programs from around the country. To read more about our mobile app, click here! |
| Wilmington Will Host NC Nightlife Forum |
WDI is proud to announce that downtown Wilmington has been selected as a host for the North Carolina Sociable City Forum. The Sociable City Forum is a unique one-day forum for state and local leaders to share strategies on how to plan, manage and police hospitality zones in downtown districts. The Sociable City Forum is organized by the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI), a private non-profit organization and leading North American expert on nightlife. In selecting Wilmington, Jim Peters, President of RHI says, "We try to find a host city that can best represent the opportunities and challenges in becoming a more sociable city. Wilmington is a good example of motivated stakeholders working together to create a safer and more vibrant nighttime economy. " Click here to view the full article. | |
WDI was formed in 1977 as a public/private partnership between New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington, with the remainder of the organization's funding coming from private donations. Less than 1/3 of our funds come from the city and county combined. Our total budget is $300,000 and office salary stays below 1/3 of the overall budget. We remain good stewards of the public trust and we do not operate in the red. For the upcoming year, we plan to concentrate our efforts on the following initiatives:
- Developing Incentives for Historic Preservation
- Improving Management of Nightlife Issues
- Implementing a Downtown Ambassador Program
- Establishing new park space in the CBD
- Retail & Office Recruitment
- Business Retention
- Better collaboration with our Economic Development partners in the region
Sincerely,
John Hinnant
Executive Director
Wilmington Downtown, Inc.
P.O. Box 2235
Wilmington, NC 28402
Phone: 910.763.7349
Fax: 910.343.6950
Email: john@wilmingtondowntown.com
Website: www.wilmingtondowntown.com |
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| Calling All Volunteers! |
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This summer, WDI is launching an all new Downtown Ambassador Program. On March 13th, a trial-run of the program was held; people of downtown got a small taste of what is to come. These Ambassadors will serve as official downtown greeters, offering directions and recommendations on where to visit, shop and eat as well as local events. WDI is seeking outgoing individuals who are enthusiastic about showcasing downtown Wilmington. Click here for more information and instructions on how to apply to be a Downtown Ambassador. |
| Battleship Easter
Egg Hunt |
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The 3rd Annual Battleship Easter Egg Hunt will take place on April 2, 2010 (Good Friday) at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Battleship Park. Children will find fun, eggs, candy, games, and the Easter Bunny! This wonderful holiday activity is only $5 per child. Pre-registration is required. There are sponsorship opportunities available. Please call (910) 251-5797 to register or for more information. |
| Rims on the River |
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The Annual Rims On The River will take place on Saturday, April 17th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in historic Downtown Wilmington. Cars dating 1980 and older, line the streets of the downtown area, with the Cape Fear River and the diverse collection of retail stores and restaurants as their backdrop. Free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.dbawilmington.com. |
| 2010 Downtown Sundown Concert Series |
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The Downtown Sundown Concert Series returns! Every Friday, from May 21st to September 3rd, WDI will host a different band or performer at Riverfront Park. Shows will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 10:00 p.m. Be sure to check the WDI website frequently for updates on shows! Volunteers needed; contact John Hinnant at (910) 763-7349 for more information. |
| Riverfront Farmer's Market |
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The Riverfront Farmer's Market is a curbside market featuring local farmers, producers, artists and crafters. This year's dates are Saturdays from April 17th to December 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To apply, visit www.wilmingtonfarmers.com. |
| Work on Wilmington |
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Work On Wilmington brings people together to roll up their sleeves and tackle community problems in just four hours. The results are amazing. Projects that would normally take many times longer are completed in just half a day. Volunteers sign up to Work on Wilmington for 4 hours from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 17, 2010. No specific skills are required except a willingness to work for 4 hours and an interest in improving our community. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, click here. |
| Updated Downtown Kiosks |
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The WDI-sponsored kiosks in downtown Wilmington are in the process of being updated. These kiosks are used by tourists to find downtown landmarks. If you would like your business listed on the kiosks, please contact WDI at (910) 763-7349. | |
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