Calling All Dreamers competition wins top award
SACRAMENTO, CA (September 4, 2014) – During the 60th Annual International Downtown Association (IDA) conference, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) was recognized with a Downtown Pinnacle Award for Economic and Business Development for the 2013 Calling All Dreamers business competition. The DSP was one of nine organizations to be selected to receive the IDA’s highest honor. The award recognizes initiatives and organizations that further their city centers by successfully recruiting and retaining businesses, and creating economic development efforts through creative financing, unique operating strategies, or public-private partnerships.
“DSP’s project received IDA’s most prestigious award for demonstrating excellence in downtown management,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “Each year the IDA Awards Jury honors the very best programs and projects in each category to recognize great work and most importantly to set the standard for best practice in our industry. The Calling All Dreamers business competition is a wonderful example for all cities to emulate.”
Last year, the inaugural Calling All Dreamers generated interest from 49 entrepreneurs, created demand for downtown retail space, generated leads for new businesses, and resulted in several new leases.
“This competition is the essence of economic development,” said Youseffi. “Calling All Dreamers is in a very focused and direct way enhancing the retail and business environment in Downtown Sacramento and encouraging an increasing number of entrepreneurs to choose downtown as the home for their businesses.”
The two winning businesses from 2013 – Andy’s Candy Apothecary and The Dailey Method, opened their doors in downtown in less than one year, creating 3 new full-time jobs and 11 part-time positions.
“The competition gave me a much needed boost and provided me with the foundation and knowledge and expertise in every area imaginable to start my business,” said Andy Paul owner of Andy’s Candy Apothecary and the 2013 Grand Prize Winner. “It was the perfect opportunity for me – my business concept was half-formed. I just needed some momentum to solidify it.”
“We always knew we wanted to open a studio in Sacramento,” said The Dailey Method Owner Sandra Lemos. “When we expanded into Folsom a lot of our clients were commuting in from Sacramento. We didn’t think we’d be able to expand with a third location for at least a couple of years until this competition came about.”
The 2014 competition winner, Ana Apple, is expected to open this fall in Old Sacramento. The storefront for the quirky, eco-friendly line of apparel for infants, youth and adults will be located at 1200 2nd Street in Old Sacramento. For more about the competition, visit www.callingalldreamers.org. To learn more about grand prize winner Ana Apple, visit http://downtownsac.org/meet-ana-apple/.
ABOUT THE IDA
The Washington, D.C. based International Downtown Association (IDA) is a champion for vital and livable urban centers and strives to inform, influence, and inspire downtown leaders and advocates. With 500 members and thousands of friends, IDA is a guiding force in creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well-being of towns, cities, and regions.