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:
1. The right mix of vendors and products
2. A strong sense of place
3. Solid economic and operational underpinnings
4. A firm commitment to the surrounding community
Through How to Create Successful Markets, a 2-day interactive training course, learn about each of these elements and more through work sessions and on-site tours of New York City’s thriving open-air farmers markets and indoor public markets.
Topics will include:
- Benefits of markets
- Ingredients of successful markets
- Introduction to Placemaking
- Market planning process
- Community engagement
- Sustainable market operations
- Market management
Training Course Agenda:
- Friday, May 31: Introductory sessions; Market Audit workshop; Business Planning; Reception with PPS Staff
- Saturday, June 1: Market Tours
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Training Course Location
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, drawing more than 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.
Day 1 of the training course will take place at Pratt Manhattan, 144 West 14th Street (between 6th and 7th Ave) in New York City. Day 2 of the course will be a tour of markets throughout the city.
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Project for Public Spaces (PPS): Training Course Host
Project for Public Spaces, Inc. is a nonprofit technical assistance, research, and educational organization. PPS’s Public Market Program aims to foster innovation and new models for public markets that are economically sustainable, while maximizing their benefits on their communities and contributing to the creation of the public places that attract a broad diversity of people.
For the past three years, with the support of the Ford and W. K. Kellogg Foundations, PPS has funded projects with 40 farmers markets, market networks and state farmers market associations in over 20 states. These innovative grantee projects were highlighted at the 7th Annual Public Market Conference.
Your instructors for this course are:
- 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
- David O’Neil, a specialist in all phases of market development, has worked on over 200 market projects around the world and has directed four international public market conferences. 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, who 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
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Training Course Cost
The registration fee covers:
- Breakfast and lunch on both days and a cocktail reception
- Educational materials
- PPS membership!
Early registration (April 1 and before): $550
Registration: $600
Groups of 3 or more are eligible for a discount rate. Prices per person: $450.
We do offer a limited number of scholarships based on merit and financial need. Please contact Lauren Masseria at lmasseria@pps.org for more information.