Houston First Corporation’s Post

It's the #weekend, and if you're wondering what to #post on your #socials, here are three helpful tips ⬇️ 1️⃣ Opening hours - This is a simple one but could prompt someone to pop by your business or wait until Monday if you're closed 📅 2️⃣ Local events - Your business can leverage #localevents. Remind people to drop in on their way to and from an event such as the #GreatCattleDogMuster, which is on today in #Muswellbrook 🐶 3️⃣ Suggestions - Encourage your followers to visit local attractions. If you're a cafe, why not suggest to grab a sandwich and #coffee and enjoy in a local park 🌳 There's always something to promote, and we particularly love content with a #UpperHunter focus 🧡

In October of 2021, I sat outside at restaurant in Phoenix, AZ. The sun was shining and we had just completed our first event since suspending operations. To be honest, I was hanging by a thread and I wasn't sure if we would be able to come back after being shut down for so long. Everything had changed and maybe it was time to close up shop and move on. Seeing people together once again and forgetting about the troubles in the world for awhile made me think maybe there was hope that we could safely bring in person events back again. Maybe we could rebuild, but so many questions remained. I'm a person who believes a much higher power guides our life. I often ask, "Okay God, what do you want me to do?" That day I was asking that very question. Then I realized where I was, Phoenix. If you know the story of the Phoenix, it makes sense. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians described a mythical bird called the Phoenix, a magnificent creature that was a symbol of renewal and rebirth. According to legend, only one Phoenix lived at a time. Just before its time was up, the Phoenix built a nest and set itself on fire. Then, a new Phoenix would rise from the ashes. I had my answer. It was time to get to work on rising from the ashes. In 2022, we resumed full operations. It was slow going convincing clients it was safe to do events again. The first six months of the year was groundwork and getting the gears turning again. By the end of 2022, we had completed 42 events. The goal was now to go from surviving to thriving. 2023, marks our 15th year in business and I'm so happy to share our event team has now completed 100 event productions so far this year. It hasn't been without challenges and it hasn't been easy, but I want to thank every person who has helped make it happen along the way. As the clock winds down on 2023, we aren't slowing down. We still have some incredible events we are working on for our home city of Pittsburgh as well as 2 concerts and events in 6 states before the end of the year. We also might just break a world record. More to come on that. I'm thankful, grateful and hopeful for the days ahead. The madness in the world weighs heavily and I hope we can all learn to live together in peace and work toward renewal and rebirth for all.

Be sure to contact your City Council members and share your position. Only the residents within each respective district can vote for their district's representative, creating an imbalance between residents and downtown businesses. See my summary of the article Adam shared and my thoughts: The News & Observer article discusses the controversy over relocating and expanding the Red Hat Amphitheater in downtown Raleigh. Key points include: - The plan involves closing part of South Street, raising concerns among residents and local businesses. - The venue has hosted over 400 performances since 2010, generating substantial economic impact. - Local businesses depend heavily on the amphitheater's events for revenue. - Relocating to Dix Park faces opposition due to potential disruptions and reduced economic impact for downtown. - City leaders stress the importance of keeping the amphitheater downtown to maintain economic benefits. Downtown businesses need the revenue. Red Hat can be a phased rollout to work with the impact on residents... BUT IT MUST STAY DOWNTOWN.

Y'all we need your support. Hospitality business in downtown Raleigh is hanging on by a thread. Some of the most challenging months are during the summer when many folks head out of town to the beach, the lakes, the mountains or some other vacation destination. One of the only things that keeps us afloat is Red Hat Amphitheatre. We don't have a sports venue downtown like Durham, or Charlotte does. A sold out Red Hat show brings 5500 people into the heart of downtown. These folks spend their money in retail locations, restaurants, bars and other downtown businesses before and after the show. It is just one block from our front door and it's impact is make or break for us and many other downtown businesses. Red Hat is in danger. The convention center is expanding and it needs to be expanded. It will move across the street into the current location of Red Hat. This means that Red Hat has to move down a block. This move would mean that one block of South St. will have to close. If Red Hat does not move to this location with full capacity the project is dead and Red Hat is gone. I have asked questions about potential relocation and not closing South St. and here is what I have been told. There are no other city-owned sites in downtown that can hold this sized amphitheater. Other cities would win if we don’t build this at the 7500 person capacity. The booking manager for the Red Hat is Live nation and they will skip us for Charlotte and Wilmington. Durham may even build an amphitheatre of this size to accommodate. Dix Park is awesome but the city doesn't have the money to invest to build out the parking, and utility infrastructure that doesn't exist. Also there is a strong chance South Street may be re-routed but this is up to NC DOT not the City of Raleigh. How can you support? Great question! Contact your city council member and tell them that you support small local downtown businesses and going forward with the planned moved of Red Hat one block south. For more information see this article in the New and Observer: https://lnkd.in/eceyq9e6 If you have more questions let me know I will answer what I can and If I can't I will hopefully be able to get the answer. Todd Henderson Bill King Corey Branch Dr. Jane Harrison Christina Jones Mary-Ann Baldwin Gina Pearce Stephens Dave Rose Rick French David Meeker Ashley Christensen Jeff Mickel Jennifer Bradshaw Martin

Imagine planning a grand circus, only to discover a week before the big show that none of the tents have been pitched, the clowns are AWOL, and there's not a single drop of cotton candy in sight. Welcome to Milwaukee's Republican National Convention prep—or rather, lack thereof. Businesses in the heart of the city are frustrated, and who can fault them? Downtown Milwaukee, a vibrant tapestry of potential, now looks eerily like a ghost town in waiting. The prime venues stare back with dusty windows and vacant stages. You'd think with the buzz surrounding such a monumental event, there would be a mad scramble for reservations and bookings. But instead, the crickets have taken over, chirping away in the echoing silence of empty calendars. Here’s a hot take: - The city planners have seemingly mishandled the entire affair, leaving local restaurants and venues in a lurch. - Establishments are crying foul over the stagnation, emphasizing a significant opportunity loss. It's like inviting everyone to a potluck and not telling them what to bring – chaos, confusion, and quite a few hungry guests. Ponder this: Could this oversight be a mere hiccup in Milwaukee’s event-hosting capabilities? Or are we seeing cracks in the system that hint at a larger, systemic issue? Only time will tell. And what's next? - **Possible empty seats and strained smiles**: Expect last-minute attempts to spruce things up, but it might be too late to turn the tide fully. - **A lesson hidden within the folds**: Sometimes, even the most meticulously planned events can unravel, and adaptability becomes the unexpected superhero. On a deeper level, it’s heartbreakingly evocative of missed opportunities—promises whispering of success slipping into the void of what-could-have-been. So, what does this mean for Milwaukee? Businesses will need to hustle harder, innovate more profoundly, and play an penultimate game of catch-up. A city braced for the glamour of the spotlight must dance in the blaring grimness of an unlit stage. A piece of dark humor: maybe they should swap the keynote for a lead act from a survivalist manual instead. In essence, Milwaukee's prepping saga for the RNC fizzes like a can of soda left open—once effervescent, now oddly flat. Stay tuned, folks; the curtain is about to rise or fall. We’re on the edge of our seats. https://lnkd.in/emdgfXDV #Milwaukee #RNC2023 #EventPlanning #CityLife #OpportunityLost #LocalBusinessStride #UrbanEvents #HospitalityHiccups #UnexpectedTwists

🎯 Connect, Collaborate, and Conquer with APTS of NY... We're thrilled to share about an upcoming opportunity for networking and connections hosted by APTS of NY! It's a chance for all of us in the industry to come together, share insights, and build relationships that can truly benefit our businesses and careers. 🍹🤝 You're invited to join for the Happy Hour: Cocktails and Connections event, taking place at Druther's Brewing Company in Clifton Park., (Jacob LaBree and Dave Holland from Property Gauge will be there!) This event isn't just about unwinding after work; it's about seizing opportunities to expand your network and take your career to the next level. Here are the event details: 📅 Date: Thursday, May 9th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM 📍 Location: Druther's Brewing Company, Clifton Park, NY 🍻 Enjoy craft beers, appetizers, and snacks 💼 Network with industry colleagues and make valuable connections 🥂 Cash bar available for your convenience By participating in events like these, you're not just attending another social gathering – you're investing in your professional growth and success. Building relationships with fellow APTS of NY members can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and insights that can positively impact your business or career trajectory. So don't miss out on this chance to connect with like-minded professionals and tap into the collective knowledge and resources of our industry community. Let's come together, share ideas, and elevate our businesses and careers to new heights! For more information and to RSVP, check out the event details here: https://lnkd.in/eK6kXNr2 #APTSNY #NetworkingOpportunity #CocktailsAndConnections #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerDevelopment #RealEstateNetworking #CommunityBuilding

My 2 pence since living in & around the city centre for 8 years… • The ‘Broad Street experience’ is outdated, people want more for their money in current economic climate. • I’ve witnessed more than a fair share of brawls and gang level violence. This comes back to a lack of authoritative police presence at times and this country being too soft. Scares good clientele off as they see it as unnecessary risk. • Clubbing culture has changed post covid, there’s plenty of people out there that are more attracted to exciting new ventures including Albert's Schloss & daytime venues instead of being out until that late. • Cost of living crisis especially with students is a huge factor. If you don’t come from a privileged financial background and you’re funding university from loans and part time work etc then by the time you’ve covered your overheads and basic necessities your money is going way less further than it did in previous years. Completely agree with Lyle Bignon though, a shame to see such a big venue close & the loss of jobs that’s inevitably come with it too. https://lnkd.in/e6XQcKEm #birminghamuk #birminghambusiness #nighttimeeconomy #hospitality #nightclub #nightlife

NTIA Says Escalating Noise Complaints Jeopardise The Future Of Night Time Economy The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) is raising serious concerns about the increasing number of noise complaints against licensed venues across the UK, which pose a significant threat to the vitality and sustainability of the UK's night-time economy (NTE). A recent Freedom of Information request from 20 London Councils revealed a 53% rise in noise complaints in London, from 2,440 in 2018 to 3,732 in the 2022/23 period. Alongside this rise, Noise Abatement Notices have increased from 34 in 2018 to 51 in 2022/23. (Across 19 London Councils ) The NTIA stresses that this is a nationwide issue, severely impacting an industry still working through the cost of operating crisis and the legacy of the pandemic. The surge in complaints and subsequent regulatory actions affected the livelihood of thousands of businesses and employees in the night-time economy, including bars, clubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, stated, "The substantial increase in noise complaints and Noise Abatement Notices highlights a growing challenge our industry cannot tackle alone. These figures not only show a shift in community tolerance but also underscore the urgent need for balanced urban planning and licensing that supports both residents and businesses." "The night-time economy is a vital part of the UK's and London's cultural and economic landscape. Central and local governments must act immediately to address these issues, as part of the planning reform process, which took center stage within the King's Speech" Sarah Clover, Licensing and Planning barrister at Kings Chambers said: “Noise complaints form a significant proportion of my work, and the numbers of cases are increasing dramatically. This is a trend seen particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the devastating effect that neighbour disputes have on hospitality and night time economy businesses is now at crisis level.” “The costs of litigation present huge burdens for businesses and local authorities, and this expenditure should be unnecessary in functioning licensing and planning regimes.  The situation needs addressing urgently, but the long term solutions lie in legislation, and there are some clear steps that need to be taken without delay.” The NTIA advocates for a cooperative approach between operators, licensing and planning departments, ensuring businesses are fairly represented in noise and nuisance complaints without community bias. The push for the "agent of change" principle in primary legislation will be crucial, ensuring planners consider both business and residential spaces, protecting all parties through necessary mitigations. Changes in planning must safeguard social and cultural businesses, with a focus on coexistence. A clear framework for decision makers is essential for implementing effective mitigations during planning and development. Read More: ht…

Community Rules! The Well-Being Show Brand is Community-driven. We have over 100 different members who attend various shows across the country. The brand has an enviable and unique approach to #wellbeing awareness. We acknowledge the endeavour of the #community is the reason for the Well-Being Brand's unparalleled #success - Working with and promoting people's success is the finest way to success! Small businesses are nothing without those who make their businesses profitable. So many believe they are the fulcrum of their #business when the fact is they are nothing without the many people who #support their future. Every aspect of our businesses, from Crown and magistrate courts catering to events organisation is #people and #customer driven. #customerexperience is king and queen in the business world.

When you’re hosting events for your business, the question of venue is always one of the first. In my music & arts days, I used art galleries, warehouses, rooftops, and a baseball field. For my speaker training business, it was hotel ballrooms all the way. Now for our Abundance Retreats, we take over mansions in nature. When it comes to creating a deep sense of belonging, nothing will ever beat a house. It’s as familial as it gets. And if you’re calling it Abundance Retreat, it better be a big house. Whatever venue you choose, have great reasons for it. #abundanttribeleader #abundanceretreat