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July 18, 2014 VOLU M E 1 3 | I SS UE 34
CentennialCitizen.net A publication of
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Trendy market calls Centennial home
PART
1 OF 3 PART SERIES
Chambers see growing challenges Business organizations fight to stay relevant By Jennifer Smith and Chris Rotar Staff writers
Local blues crooner Michael Donegan get a high five from a young fan as his band, The Black and Blues Guys, busts out a few classics at the Centennial Artisans and Farmers Market, held Saturday, July 12 at Centennial Center Park. Photos by Deborah Grigsby Smith
Artisans, farmers event strives to unite city, showcase local business By Deborah Grigsby Smith
Special to Colorado Community Media Centennial’s very own Artisans and Farmers Market drew crowds to Centennial Center Park on July 12. The monthly event brings together an eclectic mix of artisans, crafters, local produce growers, musicians and gourmet food trucks, all fresh for the picking every second Saturday, through August. “It’s great! I just spent $50,” jokes Centennial District 3 Councilmember Mark Gotto. “Really, it’s a great event that supports our local vendors. It also is a great step towards bringing both sides of the city together in a fun, family-friendly environment.” Molly Feldman, of Highlands Ranch, said the market has something for everyone. “It’s nice that I can kind of make a trade with my granddaughter,” explained Feldman. “I tell her if she’ll go to the market with Nana, then we’ll go to the park afterwards. A true win for both of us.” Event producer Robin Loughran says the market already boasts more than 40 vendors, with newcomers being added each market day. “While this is just our first year, the response has been overwhelming,” said Loughran. “And by the end of the market sea-
LEFT: Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon takes a break from shopping at the July 12 Centennial Artisans and Farmers Market to get a tattoo. The mayor’s temporary glitter tattoo is the creation of Lael Taylor, co-owner of of Tart and Tatley, a Centennial-based vendor specializing in “lemonade and tattoos, and all things fun.” RIGHT: Hearty beefsteak tomatoes are among the many locally grown finds at the Centennial Artisan and Farmers Market. The monthly event is held every second Saturday through August. son, we hope that number passes 5o.” Centennial Mayor Cathy Noon thinks the market is a perfect pairing with the city’s namesake park. “This is just another reason for residents to come out and experience our award-winning park,” said Noon. “It’s a great event with great vendors and when you think about it, Centennial Center Park is meant to be a gathering place, and that’s what where here to cel-
ebrate.” As a matter of fact, the next market, scheduled for Aug. 9, will be held in conjunction with Centennial’s summer signature event, Centennial Under the Stars. “This will be our first night market, starting at 6 p.m.,” said Loughran. “We’re blending two really cool events that really help punctuate Centennial’s sense of identity.”
The front door to the community isn’t what it used to be. Newcomers to a city or town these days rarely feel the need to stop by the local chamber of commerce to pick up a map or a list of restaurants. “I think the front door to the community is now Google, or whatever your favorite search engine is,” said Dave Kilby, president and CEO of the Western Association of Chamber Executives. Meanwhile, business professionals have more options than ever when it comes to networking — long touted as a major benefit of chamber membership, but something that today can be facilitated with the click of a mouse on sites like Facebook and Meetup.com. And while economic development is still an important role of chambers, it is one they increasingly share with municipalities’ own economic development departments. Those are just a few of the challenges facing chambers of commerce, which must navigate a terrain altered by technology and evolutions in business and government. Perhaps the most daunting challenge is finding a way to remain relevant. “In this fast-paced business environment, every organization has to focus on its relevancy,” said Shiley Johnson, interim CEO at the Metro North Chamber of Commerce. “We are a collection of many businesses and industries, and the only way for us to help them remain relevant is to remain relevant ourselves.” Many chambers have learned to adapt to the new climate, but just as many haven’t. Kilby said nationally there is roughly a 50-50 split when it comes to chambers that are growing and ones that are shrinking in membership. Of the Denver metro-area chambers that responded to a May survey conducted by Colorado Community Media, the majority said they are in a growth mode. But they overwhelmingly agreed that change is coming — and is needed if the organizations are to thrive into the future and be known for doing more than merely putting out a welcome mat.
Solving problems
A bird’s eye view of the Centennial Artisan and Farmers Market from 90 feet, thanks to the tower truck from South Metro Fire Rescue Authority. The monthly market blends locally grown produce, art, music and food trucks with all the amenities of Centennial Center Park.
John Brackney spent 10 years as president and CEO of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce before resigning in March. Even before his tenure with the Centennial-based chamber, Brackney, a former Arapahoe County commissioner, looked at the organization as a vital resource. Chamber continues on Page 4