1. Host a Webinar and/or Podcast Series
- Interview your target sector thought leaders – attendees apply to attend
- Host monthly peer-to-peer company C-level round table discussions
- Host a guest lecture series
- Interview with leaders of recent location/expansion projects
- Feature a “Company of the Month”
- Offer news on industry trends
- Conduct and report survey results
- Kids interview CEOs feature for “Friday Funnies”
2. Sponsor a “Future Scenarios” for Target Industry Cluster
- STEEP Framework (evaluate social, technological, economical, environmental and political factors)
- Use focus groups by sector to identify trends
- Create a “road map” for your target industry sectors
- Inform the industry(s) of opportunities
- Guide infrastructure investment by government
- Alert education as to the skills that are going to be needed
3. Host a Virtual Tradeshow
- Show the supply chain for your target industries
- Feature regional strengths by industry sector
- Create a platform to support existing businesses
4. Host a Lunch & Learn for Remote Workers within your Target Industries
- Utilize DoorDash or GrubHub meal delivery for the meeting
5. Create an Annual “No Screen Day” or Similar to Promote Fun and Relationship Building
6. Partner/Sponsor a Site Selection Guild, SIOR, IAMC or CoreNet
7. Host “Beyond Consultants” – What to Look for When Hiring a Site Location Consultant?
8. Host a “Beyond Consultants” Virtual Event– Invite companies you’re hoping to attract. Host a consultant to answer, “What to look for when hiring a site location consultant?”
9. Recognize Industry Leaders within your Target Industry with Scholarships or a Chair in their Name
10. Host a Fun Event – Virtual treasure hunt throughout your website, game, happy hour, coffee, or cooking class (with ingredients delivered to each attendee’s home prior to event)
11. Follow the Money – Focus on emerging industry sectors, private equity and venture capital backed companies. PE and VC companies invest in companies that have a high probability of scaling…. With the theory, “If you’re going to go fishing, use a fish finder and find the fish first” in mind, take a look at who the PE and VC are investing in.
12. COVID Innovation HUB- Thousands of innovations have launched in 2020 in response to Covid-19. Create an innovation center for or focus on products and services that address Covid-19. Covid Innovations’ site is a great reference https://www.covidinnovations.com/.
13. Buy/Sell a Business – Millions of baby boomer owned businesses will need to transition in the next 3-5 years… What services do they need?
14. Opportunity Zone – Take advantage of opportunities that bring capital to the region
15. Focus onCOVID-driven, growing demand for…
- Food – high protein deli meats; health snacks; frozen
- Patio heaters
- Telescopes
- Boats
- Electric bicycles
- Kayaks
- Home remodeling material
- Pets, pet supplies & medication
- Home exercise equipment
16. Offer to donate to a charity of a company’s choice in exchange for a 30 minute interview
17. Host a giveaway! Target audience receives a raffle ticket entry to win a product from your region
18. Provide a private, virtual tour of a local museum, monument or site with VR gift goggles
19. Make it fun! Offer $100 in virtual casino chips in exchange for a 30 minute interview
20. Give the chef a break! Send a meal in a box including ingredients from your region or from local small businesses with recipe or meal from a local restaurant that overnights their meals
21. Livestream an exclusive concert by a local artist, band, or orchestra to target audience