Meet a key player in this downtown enterprise and this week's Daytonian of the Week, Val Beerbower.
Beerbower is the PR and Communications Manager for the Downtown Dayton Partnership. Through business and economic development services, she helps plan and execute clean and safe programs, helps with strategic planning and advocates for events downtown.
If you love all the fun that’s been happening in the city lately, you have Beerbower to thank.
What's the biggest way you believe your work impacts the Dayton community?
I have the pleasure of seeing a direct impact on my constituents. Whether it's connecting them with important resources, trouble-shooting a problem, helping them better market their property or business, or simply exchanging ideas and information during one of our hundreds of business visits we conduct, I know I can do something today to make life in Dayton just a little bit better.
Label yourself.
"Fat free"? Maybe someday. I suppose if I were to typify what unique contributions I bring to my professional and volunteer roles, it would be connecting people. I really enjoy introducing people who have similar ambitions and personal or professional missions. That's one of the nifty things about Dayton – there's usually not just one person out there with a big heart and a drive to achieve more. I love it when I can take those little spot fires and amplify them to help people create something really impactful.
Favorite Dayton food/recreational activities?
Wait, is "beer" a food? Dayton is home to incredible talent with regard to cuisine. There are more than 40 locally owned restaurants just within downtown, and the center city is the epicenter for craft brews. Same for recreation – RiverScape MetroPark and downtown Dayton are situated at the confluence of water trails and paved recreational trails. I love exploring our region on the largest paved, off-street bikeway network in the country! I'm really looking forward to the new 7-mile stretch of water trails when the new RiverScape River Run is complete. That's going to be pretty rad, for paddlers and spectators alike.
What do you love about life in Dayton?
As one who enjoys connecting people, I love that Dayton's a small enough community that you can have a pretty vast expanded network. I truly believe there are only 3 degrees of separation in Dayton. Don't believe me? Dig a little on Facebook. There are so many people out there who are excited about the changes they're seeing in Dayton and are pumped to contribute in their own way to making the Gem City shine. (This weekly series is a great example.) I love working with these folks and feeling that palpable energy, and I'm thrilled to contribute to the momentum.
What would you change about Dayton?
I'd like to deport the haters. I'm not talking about people who raise concerns or have any kind of constructive feedback. I do need to check my enthusiasm from time to time. I'm talking about people who only want to poo-poo new ideas but have nothing to say on their own behalf. It makes leaders here very risk-averse and it stifles creativity and progress. If you have a vision for this community that no one's running with, go do something about it. Refer to my previous response – if you actually have an idea you're passionate about, chances are there's someone else here that shares your vision. Find a third person and you technically have a "movement." But for those people who only want to (pee) in your Cheerios: Ain't nobody got time for that. I'm going to start a fund to buy one-way tickets out of town for the haters. Then everyone gets what they want.
What's the biggest way you believe your work impacts the Dayton community?
In both my professional life and my volunteer roles, I think the small-town vibe of Dayton allows my work to have a greater impact. Because downtown's business environment is largely made up of entrepreneurs, any help I can provide these start-ups makes a huge impact. This year, the DDP made a more concerted effort to partner with downtown businesses and organizations for the summer event lineup, and we were able to make a greater impact by drawing new crowds and improving our cross-promotional activities. Like I said before, when you're living in a super-connected city, it doesn't take long for word to spread about new programs, new housing, new businesses, new initiatives and new amenities.
What do you wish people knew about Dayton?
For outsiders, I wish people knew Dayton has many similar features and amenities of any large-scale city. I wish state-based agencies stopped overlooking us for the three-Cs. I wish people would "try it" before they "knocked it." For those living here, I wish people knew all the layers and could really appreciate the process that goes into rehabbing an old building, or bringing a new business to the city. These processes sometimes take years to accomplish, and it can get frustrating when people don't understand. Did you read the story about the guy who made the six-month burger? He documented the process from raising and butchering his own beef, growing the ingredients to make the bun and the toppings, and at the end of the six-month period, he had a (really, really "slow food") meal. Imagine taking the time to create such an entrée only to present it to someone and have them grimace and say "ew, I hate pickles." That's sort of what it feels like when years' worth of cumulative effort gets ripped apart because of a single unappealing facet. Maybe our initial reaction could be "great" followed by "how can we make this even better"? It's OK to celebrate victories and it's OK to build on success. We don't need to let "perfect" be the enemy of "good." If we do, we're hindering our own progress.
What are some events Daytonians can look forward to in 2016?
Summer in the City will be back with a similar lineup. We'll start the year with the Downtown Housing Tour, which was very well received last year. I'm pretty happy about the tweaks we've got planned. Next up will be Art in the City, and we're partnering with the Dayton Visual Arts Center for an exciting twist. Following our visual arts-themed event, we'll have an adventure night, featuring the return of the wildly popular Great Dayton Adventure Race (again, with some modifications so more people can partake in the fun), and then we'll wrap up our season with the beginning of another – we're partnering with the Victoria Theatre Association and the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance to host a performing arts street party that will kick off the new season for music, ballet, theater, orchestras, and all the rest of the groups that comprise downtown's Avenue of the Arts. I can't spill the beans about the details quite yet, but stay tuned to this publication and the DDP official communication channels for more information as it becomes available!
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