Preservation and Rehabilitation: Creating Meaningful Public Education Events & Partnerships
NKY Restoration Weekend
• Collaborating between neighboring cities, local small businesses, and local non-profits
• Educating the public about historic preservation and DIY issues
• Promoting local vendors, craftsman and business
• Connecting homeowners with contractors and local craftsman
NKY Restoration Weekend
Process
• Vision was Crafted
– Proactively support & promote the historical communities & those who serve them. To invest in understanding their makeup and nuances so as to pass what we learn on to others. Offer and provide a vehicle for accessing the correct & appropriate information needed to care and preserve historic properties.
• Team brought together
– 3 cities, 4 preservation officers, 3 artesian craftsmen, 2 supply houses, a repurposing expert, 2 sustainable energy consultants and 4 construction experts
• Mason, Wood Worker, Artists & Business Owners
• Construction Backgrounds in Wood Windows, Historic Restoration, Masonry, Roofing, HVAC, Zoo Displays
• Marketing, Sales, Social Media, Event Planning & Community Development with B2B/B2C backgrounds
Team NKY Restoration
The Planning Team
• Invite Stakeholders
– SHPO
– Local CLGS-
– Non-Profit Preservation Partners
– Other City or County Partners
– Company and Vendor Reps
– Local Contractors and Businesses
• Use existing partnerships-create new ones-NETWORK
Process
• Brainstorming/Assessing the needs
– Educational? Urgency? Solutions? Resources?
• Determine your audience
– Make a concise the goal and product
• Build your product up
– Total Length? Financial Support? Vendors? Sponsors? Speakers? Site Location?
• Market your product
– Invitations? PR? Announcements?
Brainstorming/Assessing the Needs
We suggest…
• Asking question such as – Does your community know
what preservation is?
– Are there already established districts?
– What is the biggest preservation battle in your community?
– What are the guidelines in your community?
– What things does your community need to learn or ask to learn?
– Is this an annual, every other year, one time event?
NKY Restoration…
• Has 3 established CLGs with active historic districts and commissions
• Knows that windows and Energy Efficiency are important topics
• Has lots of DIY activity
• Has a need to stress the importance of appropriate materials
• Aims at making this an annual event
Concise Product
We Suggest…
• Use the strengths of your team
• Know your time constraints – How much time to you have
to dedicate?
• Keep it simple: A focused event will be more powerful
• Have a goal and make sure all activities reflect that goal
• Build a product that is beneficial to all those involved.
NKY Restoration…
• Used the knowledge of the team: window restoration, paint, energy efficiency, product demonstrations
• Had a graphic design, social networking, marketing background on team
• Planned the event in 3-4 months
• Eliminated many of the original ideas in brainstorming session
• Focused on education and business promotion
Build the Product: Vendors Fair
• Vendors fair to connect local craftsman and products with customers. – Have a booth fee- (funding source for event)
– Utilize local Craftsman and Contractors
– Insurance Companies
– Banks/financing (203 K Loan)
– Real Estate agents
– Appropriate Non-profits
– Architects/Designers
– Product representatives
Build the Product: Classes
- Old House 101 Panel Discussion (included 203 K Loans and how to buy an old house)* - Diagnosing the Problem: Old House Maintenance - HVAC & Geo Thermal - Doors- Measuring 2x, Installing once - Roofing for Historic Homes - Energy Assessments - Designing Style- a guide to designing with today’s stone & accessory options - Interior Wood Refinishing & Lead Safety - Wood Window Repair & Maintenance* - Painting basics and Paint color choice - From Lath to Plaster - Chimney & Fireplace Repairs - Energy Efficiency and Conservation in a Historic Home* - Using Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits* - How to research your historic home
* Will have every year
Marketing/Branding
• Marking and Branding are the most important thing you can do to get the word out! – Save the Date
– Event Postcards
– Local Newspapers/Press Release
– Posters
– Banners
– Brochures
– SOCIAL MEDIA! • Website
• Program Book- Take away product – Session and speaker info
– Websites and other info
– List vendors/sponsors
Important Lessons
Important Lessons
• Keep your product simple
• You Can’t Solve Every Issue
• Become a Resource to your Audience
• Broaden your Audience.
Important Lessons
• Who brings benefit to your community?
• Who wants your attention to offer you products or services?
• Grant monies?
• Tickets?
Important Lessons
Important Lessons
Important Lessons
Important Lessons
Important Lessons
Preservation and Rehabilitation: Creating Meaningful Public Education Events & Partnerships
www.facebook.com/NKYRestoration
Beth Johnson Historic Preservation Officer- City of Covington Kentucky
Beth Aderholt-Grindley BPI BA Chief Bridge Coupler - Tri-State Wholesale Building Supplies www.linkedin.com/in/bethaderholtgrindley [email protected] @beth_aderholt @Tri_State_Cinci (513)288.3700
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