Oneonta Downtown Renaissance by Cassandra Miller

Be a Part of Changing the Narrative about Downtown

The power of the stories residents share about downtown Oneonta is the focus of an upcoming public information session on Monday, October 28 at 6 p.m. at Community Arts Network of Oneonta’s Wilber Mansion.

“Envisioning Downtown: Collaborative Solutions for the Future” is a free event featuring a panel discussion on shifting perspectives, strategies, and narratives about Oneonta’s downtown and an interactive audience feedback and sharing session.

Seven local business owners and community members will participate in quick-fire roundtable discussions about how downtown spaces can be reimagined, utilized, and promoted to address current challenges and future opportunities.

The roundtable discussion will be moderated by the Rev. Stacey Mitchell of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta and will include the following topics and speakers:

• “Placemaking to Enhance Downtown Spaces”: Ryan West Geraghty and Cass Harrington, Destination Marketing Corporation of Otsego County
• “The Power of Our Voice”: Korey Rowe, Otsego Media and Dosha
• “Messaging Around Downtown”: Cassandra Miller, Townie and Culture Rally Communications
• “Business Collaborations and Cross-Promotion”: Heather Sharpe, Luxxe Whitening Studio, and Emily Falco, Roots Public Social Club
• “Small Business Saturday and Holiday Shopping”: Hope Von Stengel, CANO

Changing the Narrative: Lessons from Baltimore

I’ve seen first-hand the power of owning a narrative. During my time with Visit Baltimore, the city’s destination marketing agency, we realized that to change perceptions, we needed to shift the narrative around Baltimore.

Visit Baltimore invested in a new brand identity, including a new logo, colors, and a campaign focused on the city’s creative community. An outside agency recognized in 2019 that Baltimore’s arts and culture scene—and the people behind it—are what make the city special.

The investment paid off. In 2019 alone, the city saw $23.00 in direct economic impact for every dollar spent by Visit Baltimore. Just last year, domestic travel to Baltimore increased by 39 percent, contributing $3.7 billion to the local economy, according to data from Longwoods International.

The stories you tell are powerful. Oneonta has incredible assets, and with the right approach, we can shift the narrative of who we are and what we offer. I hope CANO is filled on Monday with community members ready to be a part of reshaping our city’s story. While the event is free and open to the public, reservations are requested as space is limited.

You can reserve your spot at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/envisioning-downtown-oneonta-collaborative-solutions-for-the-future-tickets-1039155601377

Cassandra Miller is a member of the Oneonta Downtown Renaissance Steering Committee and the editor of the “Townie” Substack newsletter.