February Marketing Director Update

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Rockdale Marketing Update

February 2020

New Year Marketing Goals ...

February is a great time to reflect on what goals you have set for yourself and your business -- and assess what you have done to work toward accomplishing those goals.

Oh .. wait .. you didn't set any business goals?

Maybe in our quest to set personal goals like "live healthier and build better relationships", we forget these goals can can apply to our professional lives too!

I'd love to hear from you on what goals you have set forth for your business, and perhaps we can brainstorm on how I (or someone else in the community) could help.

Let's see how those sample "personal goals" can apply to your business ...

LIVE HEALTHIER ...

Just like our bodies, what you put into your business affects what we get out of it.

Make time to read trade publications, watch webinars, attend workshops or conferences, take time to better market your business, and find ways (big and small) in which you can improve your business health.

BUILD BETTER RELATIONSHIPS ...

Relationships with your customers and the community are important to your business.

If you don't belong to a civic organization .. consider joining one! It's a great way to contribute to the community and help shape the future of Rockdale. Here are a few suggestions: Chamber of Commerce , Kay Theater Foundation , Lions Club , Rockdale PAWS , Rotary Club , or Rockdale Downtown Association . Many of these organizations would welcome new Board Members and Volunteers. I am sure you have talents an organization would greatly value!

In case you're wondering .. those were two of MY personal and professional goals!

This Month's Training Tip:

Hottest Small Business Trends For 2020

GENERATIONS

Millennials age 24-39
50% of parents with kids under 18 are Millennials
$1 Trillion/year spent on raising children
Gen Z are Teens and spend or influence $830 billion/year
67% of Gen Z more likely to Buy Online and Pick Up in Store.

Interested in Webinars about Marketing?

The Small Business Development Center has a number of valuable FREE Webinars available online.

Check out this webinar about the

Hottest Small Business Trends for 2020!

This webinar has great information about the latest stats and buying trends of various generational target markets.

It also discusses the importance of having an online presence -- with mobile capability as many shop on phones and tablets.

Upcoming Events

Feb 7:

First Friday Coffee

@ 8:30am at the Library

Come enjoy community & camaraderie.

Learn about upcoming events and

happenings in Rockdale, as well as how you can get involved in the community.

This month's host is Kindred Hospice

Feb 10:

City Council Meeting @ 5:30pm

at City Hall: 505 W Cameron Ave

Click here to view the Agenda

Feb 12:

Bark at the Park

Soft Opening of Rockdale's Dog Park

Join us for a Tail Wagging Event at Rockdale’s new Dog Park at 290 Beverly Dr next to the Rockdale Animal Shelter. Bring your Dog to Play and See Plans for Future Expansion of the Dog Park.

A limited number of “Doggie Treat Bags” by Rockdale General Store will be available to Pets in Attendance.

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

Whinstone, Rockdale General Store, Rockdale PAWS and the Rabinowitz Family

Mar 6:

First Friday Coffee

8:30 am at the Library

Mar 7:

Rock the Park - FREE Family Concert and Mini Food Truck Festival at Fair Park

Enjoy Five Free Family-Friendly Performances from 3-8pm.

A limited number of Food Trucks will be onsite to provide food and refreshments.

See their Facebook for more info

NO HOT-FUNDED EVENTS IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH

Events Coming to Rockdale

AMATEUR RADIO REUNION

MAY 2, 2020

GIRLS SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT JULY 2020

In Other News

WHAT DOES A DOG PARK

HAVE TO DO WITH TOURISM?

It's important for cities to develop a park with caters to people and their fur-babies!

A survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) found that 37% of animal owners travel with their pets every year. This is up by 19% over the last decade! Research also shows that 42% of 55-64-year-old owners take their pets with them making Baby Boomers more likely to bring furry friends on their travels than younger generations.

Click these links to see details & renditions of the planned improvements & downtown revitalization, and information about grants the City of Rockdale has received to fund improvement projects.

IMPROVEMENTS COMING SOON TO ROCKDALE!

Did you miss the meeting last week at the MDD Office? Presenters shared with us details of the Highway 79 Improvement & Downtown Revitalization Project.

While we will experience growing pains over the next year -- the result will be very beneficial! The project will include improved roads along Hwy 79/Cameron Avenue, including new sidewalks from the Chamber to City Hall. Downtown will see road improvements, a dedicated left turn lane, improved parking and new sidewalks.

Due to timelines specified in some of the grants, work will begin in the downtown district this Fall.

They assured us that Hwy 79 will never be completely closed, and they will shift lanes from one side to the other as they work.

Businesses will never lose access, and they will be working with the City to be cognizant of special event dates.

2020 DINING GUIDE UPDATES

The new 2020 Dining Guide is off to the presses. I've contacted every restaurant in town to verify their hours & information and I'm happy that we are adding a few newcomers as well! Brett's Backyard Bar-B-Que will now be listed, as well as the new Perk Up! Coffee House & Drive Thru which is opening later this month.

Rockdale's restaurants and eateries are also included on the LOCAL EATS page on our website (both on the Residents and Visitors Pages) with links to their Facebook or Website.

I've posted out on Facebook (including area Buy/Sell/Trade pages) a call for any new restaurants or food trucks. If you know of any new food businesses (brick & mortar or mobile) please email me so that I may attempt to contact them.

Additions to the website can be made any time. A second printing of the Dining Guide will likely be done in the summer.

RESTAURANTS - SEND ME YOUR BEST FOOD SHOTS!

Pictures make our website more interesting. I'd love to include delicious food shots on the Local Eats page. I've asked restaurants to send me photos they would be proud to represent them.

Contact Me ...

As the Marketing Director I am working with many organizations to better coordinate our marketing efforts and communications. Please let me know of events, new businesses, or ways you feel I can help better market the City of Rockdale and its assets.

Curah Beard - Marketing Director

City of Rockdale

1203 W Cameron Ave, Rockdale, TX 76567

Call me at 512-429-0034 or EMAIL ME

Click Here to Like, Follow & Share the Rockdale Tourism Facebook Page too!