Independent Business Alliances to Gather

In late fall, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) will be holding its first-ever IBA Leadership Gathering. The meeting will bring together both local alliance leaders and those who are looking to start an alliance in their communities, according to Jeff Milchen, the co-founder of AMIBA. The Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) is hosting the gathering, which will be held at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, from Friday, November 9, through Sunday, November 11.

The goal behind the event is two-fold, said Milchen. "The gathering will help people recognize that theirs is not an isolated movement... but part of a much broader movement," he said. "We hope to give people concrete, new ideas, and skills that have been successful for other alliances, and touch on some of the challenges.... We try to serve as a community hub [for IBAs] on a daily basis, but there's no substitute for in-person discussions." Milchen noted that more than half of the first three-dozen IBAs had booksellers directly involved since day one.

The event will kick off on Friday evening with the "AMIBA Welcome Social," where participants will be greeted by AMIBA staff and AIBA members and then share a "light dinner, uniquely Austin."

Saturday programming will feature educational sessions on public outreach and advertising programs; online tools and techniques to maximize communication, increase membership, and expand an IBA's usefulness to members; fundraising success stories; and more. Later in the day there will be an "IBIZ District Tour" to some of Austin's successful Independent Business Investment Zones, guided by AIBA.

On Sunday, there will be a forum, featuring AMIBA director, Jennifer Rockne, and the AMIBA board, as well as sessions on providing member benefits through loyalty programs and tips for building IBA membership.

"Our IBA Leadership Gathering presents a unique opportunity for anyone seriously considering starting an IBA in their community to learn about its inner workings, strategies that succeed or fail, and to talk with people intimately involved in their operation," said Rockne via e-mail.

For those interested in learning how to present an IBA workshop, AMIBA is providing an optional session at the end of the weekend. Rockne noted, however, that the session will also provide value to those who are interested in attending an IBA workshop. "The session will start off with a full IBA workshop," she explained. "It's an opportunity to ask questions... as well as determine the value of hosting a workshop in their own community."

More information on the IBA Leadership Gathering, including an events schedule, is available at amiba.net.