Registration closed Thursday, November 9th, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.

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Be sure to check out "How to Create Successful Markets", our other Market Cities training taking place the three weeks leading up to this training. You can buy a bundle ticket for both at a discount when you register!

Course Session Dates:

• Tuesday, November 14 @ 10am-12pm ET
• Thursday, November 16 @ 10am-12pm ET

Course Description:

Among their many benefits, public markets provide local entrepreneurs with a low-risk, low-cost space to start up, test out, and expand their businesses, unlike traditional brick-and-mortar storefronts. This is especially important for people with lower incomes, as well as those who don’t have easy access to traditional financial forms of backing due to systemic barriers.

In this two-day crash course, Project for Public Spaces offers a deeper look into how many public markets and advocacy organizations are changing the game for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing direct support in the form of marketing support, legal services, access to microcredit, training, and even pushing cities to create a better environment for market newcomers.

Topics will include:

• An overview of the ways markets are intrinsically good spaces for new businesses to experiment, especially for vulnerable and marginalized populations.
• Case studies focused on the nuts and bolts of running targeted programs and promotional strategies at markets to support entrepreneurs.
• Tracking and measuring impact around economic opportunity to advocate for even more support for your market.

What to Expect:

Two training sessions. These sessions will be hosted for two hours, with a portion of the time dedicated to presentations and a portion dedicated to guest speaker presentations, along with breakout discussions and Q and A. 

• November 14 - Session 1: An overview of markets as natural testing grounds and incubators
• November 16 - Session 2: How to successfully run targeted programs to increase opportunity at markets

Core Facilitators and Speakers:

• Kelly Verel, Co-Executive Director, Project for Public Spaces
• Kurt Wheeler, Program Manager, Market Cities, Project for Public Spaces

Guest Speakers

• Abdullah Elias, Interim Director, Mangrove, Flatbush Central, Brooklyn, NY, US
• Geoff Gilbert, Legal & Technical Assistance Director, Beloved Community Incubator, Washington, D.C., US
• Felix Macaraeg, Organizing Director, Beloved Community Incubator, Washington, D.C., US
• Melissa Maltais, Membership and Programs Manager, BC Farmers' Markets, BC, Canada
• Julie Parisi, Executive Director, NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids, IA, US
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Invoices:

If credit card payment is not an option, please email info@pps.org to request to pay by invoice (via check or wire transfer). Once your payment is received, we will send instructions on how to register for the training.