MARKETS & PLACES

Nowhere is the vibrancy of public markets and farmers markets more apparent than in New York--a city rich in cultures, food, festivals, music and street life. This workshop puts us in the heart of the action. We'll visit some of the city's most famous markets, including Union Square--a former hangout for junkies--now home to the city's best known open-air farmers market and one of the best public gathering places in the city, which draws over 100,000 shoppers on a hot summer's day. We'll also visit smaller, though equally vital, neighborhood markets, like the city-operated Essex Street Market, which shares in the growth of the Lower East Side while managing to retain its historical customer base. Finally, we'll cross the East River into Brooklyn, to visit and learn about some of the city’s best neighborhood-scale farmers markets as well as a unique program that combines youth education and empowerment, urban agriculture, and local food system development..

THE WORKSHOP

What are the dynamics behind the incredible resurgence of public markets and farmers markets in North America? Through PPS's innovative research, grant-making and technical assistance programs, we have gained an unparalleled perspective on how markets work. To be truly successful, markets need four crucial elements: the right mix of vendors and products; a strong sense of place; solid economic and operational underpinnings; and a firm commitment to the surrounding community.

Through this interactive training course, learn about each of these elements and more through workshops and on-site tours of New York City's thriving open-air farmers markets and indoor public markets.

Specific Topics will include:

• Benefits of markets
• Ingredients of successful markets
• Introduction to Placemaking
• Market planning process
• Community engagement
• Sustainable market operations
• Market management

Past participants have included mayors, community development officials, neighborhood organizers and market sponsors.

FACILITATORS

Steve Davies, as senior vice president of PPS, has directed nearly 500 major projects in the U.S and abroad and is sought out as one of the foremost thought leaders in public markets. He oversees the activities of PPS's Public Market Program, where he currently directs a three-year, $3 million dollar grant-making, communications and policy initiative for public markets and farmers markets with the Ford Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

A specialist in all phases of market development, David O'Neil has worked on over 200 market projects around the world and has directed four international public market conferences, the most recent in October, 2005 in Washington DC. David recently published "Reading Terminal Market: An Illustrated History," a beautifully illustrated narrative about one of the country's largest public markets located in Philadelphia, PA.

Kelly Williams manages and coordinates PPS's public markets programs and works with  markets around North America through the grantmaking, technical assistance, communications and training programs. Kelly has been with PPS since 2006 after three years at Greenmarket coordinating manager training and communications efforts there. Over the past five years at PPS.

The next How to Create Successful Markets training course will be held
October 17-18, 2008

REGISTRATION

Registration for the course will open on July 15th. 

Prices are as follows:

• Early registration (before September 5th): $550 for non-profits and individuals, $650 for government agencies and private companies
• Late registration (after September 5th): $600 for non-profits and individuals, $700 for government agencies and private companies
• Enrollment in training courses now includes a PPS membership!  You can view all the benefits of being a PPS member here.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please email Sandy Pan at span@pps.org and Craig Raphael at craphael@pps.org. You may also call them at (212) 620-5660.