An updated website, a reworked downtown visitors' guide and the continuance of programs such as discounts for local employees are all part of an Birmingham's revamped approach to market the city to customers and businesses.
The improved
EnjoyBirmingham website will contain more content, easier navigation and search tools and formatting for all kinds of devices, and it will roll out any day, says John Heiney, president of Birmingham's Principal Shopping District.
A new and tighter visitors' guide meant to be easier to read and more useful will be released any day and made available at 40 "ambassador" Birmingham businesses, he says.
Signs on the the doors of those businesses will let visitors know the guides are inside.
The promotion is also picking up on an employee discount program that gives Birmingham workers a break on purchases at numerous Birmingham businesses. When the program started eight years ago, there were less than 10 businesses participating. Now there are more than 40, and 1,000 new discount cards with QR codes have been printed and are part of the city's pitch to potential business owners, says Heiney.
"Every time a new business comes into town we offer that as one of our features. There's a lot of interest…It's really seen as a perk," he says.
He also says 2014 will see several new national and local businesses moving to downtown.
"There's going to be a lot for people who visit Birmingham and work here," he says. "We want to make it as good of an experience as we possibly can."
Source: John Heiney, director, Birmingham Principal Shopping District
Writer: Kim North Shine
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