Thanks to partial funding from the Alexandria City Marketing Fund Committee and the Alexandria Convention and Visitor’s Association (ACVA), the OTBPA is offering businesses a holiday marketing campaign at exceptional savings.  

For details see column at the right.  To see an example in pdf format click here.

The Old Town Business and Professional Association (OTBPA) is pleased to announce a funding grant that makes possible our cost-effective marketing campaign for businesses throughout the entire city of Alexandria. Thanks to this partial funding from the Alexandria City Marketing Fund Committee and the Alexandria Convention and Visitor’s Association (ACVA), the OTBPA is offering businesses a holiday marketing campaign at exceptional savings. We have attached information for you to share with the members of your association to inform them of this opportunity.

Our 2010-2011 campaign features four-color pocket-sized booklets full of discount offers and incentives for Alexandria’s residents and visitors to spend their time and money in Alexandria. Our campaigns will compliment and coincide with the ACVA’s holiday campaigns and the city’s Buy Alexandria campaign. The residents of Alexandria have demonstrated that they appreciate our annual holiday booklets and keep them in their pockets and purses, using them for many months when making their purchasing decisions.

Our November 2010 Holiday Booklet will feature retailers and service providers. The 100,000 Holiday Booklets will be distributed throughout the holiday season--80,000 will be mailed to Alexandria residents, 10,000 mailed to Alexandria businesses to reach the folks who work in our city, and 10,000 will be distributed to Alexandria's visitors and shoppers through hotels, retail shops and the Alexandria Visitor's Center.

The January 2011 booklet will feature restaurants and our arts and entertainment venues. These 100,000 booklets will be distributed to consumers in the same manner described above. 

We are thrilled that the Alexandria City Marketing Fund and the Alexandria Convention and Visitor Association’s contributing funds for these projects make the cost to each participating business only $1,310 for 100,000 --- a little over one cent ($.013) for each advertisement per booklet! 

Based on the measurable results from our past holiday booklets, the OTBPA knows more than what this campaign "might do" to increase the revenues of our businesses, we know what it "has done" and what it "will do." Businesses have tracked the number of consumers who brought in their discount offers from the booklets and made a purchase. They know exactly how much revenue was generated and profits gained. Their success was measurable. That's why we are offering this again this year. It works!

For more information on how to benefit from the OTBPA Holiday Campaigns, your members should contact the campaign coordinator, Roger Parks, at 703-549-5126 (aadofnova@aol.com). Businesses are encouraged to maketheir space reservations now. 

 "Jazz Supper Under The Stars"
Friday, September 17, 5:30pm

Portrait by Steven Crossett

Old Town Business and Professional Association (OTBPA) and the King Street Gardens Park Foundation hosted a Jazz-Filled Supper Under the Stars&on Friday, September 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. or dark at King Street Gardens Park. 

BBQ by Mango Mike's Caribbean Restaurant 
Jazz by Al Williams III and Friends
Cash bar (Beer and wine, water and sodas).

Williams' career highlights include making a movie soundtrack with guitarist Nils Lofgren and recording a one-hour concert on BET as a member of guitarist Grant Geisman’s band. He has appeared at many jazz festivals around the world, most recently the International Jazz Festival in Fez, Morocco, and The Jazz Jam in Nashville, Tennessee. And has played all over Alexandria including the King Street Gardens Park.  

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30.00 at the gate (call 703-683-0333 and pay by credit card Master or Visa..  King Street Gardens Park is located at King Street and Diagonal Road.

In event of rain, the event will be held in the parking area behind Hard Times Cafe at 1404 King Street.

To see the event poster, click here.

“What To Do Now: How To Handle Your Investments Today”
Nationally Known Financial Advisor Ric Edelman, Speaker

Event Presented by the Old Town Business & Professional Association Speaker’s Forum: OTBPA “Voices” series

Ric Edelman, one of America’s most respected financial advisers, will speak at the OTBPA “Voices” series, a speaker’s forum presented by the Old Town Business & Professional Association.  The talk, “What To Do Now: How To Handle Your Investments Today,” will be held at 8 am on April 23^rd at The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street, Old Town Alexandria.

Edelman was ranked as the #1 financial advisor in the country by Barron’s and hosts a national radio show on ABC Radio Networks. He also writes a syndicated newspaper column and conducts seminars nationwide, offering his unique personal advice to boost investors’ knowledge and help them achieve their financial goals.

“In this economic downturn, expert advice is essential and Ric Edelman is one of the country’s leading experts,” said Steve Tees of Burke & Herbert Bank, which is sponsoring Edelman’s appearance along with New York Life Insurance Company, Embellishments of Alexandria, Imagine Artwear, and Gold Works. “Mr. Edelman is in great demand as a speaker around the country and we’re fortunate to have him come to Alexandria.”

Edelman’s book The Truth About Money was a #1 best-seller and his book The New Rules of Money hit the New York Times best-sellers list, earning him multiple appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, among others.

“At OTBPA, we pride ourselves on offering value to Old Town businesses and service to the community and this speakers’ series does just that,” said

Tara G. Zimnick-Calico, OTBPA President.

OTBPA is a coalition of Alexandria merchants and professionals. It provides service to Alexandria’s citizens and is the Old Town business community’s leading advocate at City Hall.

The OTBPA “Voices” series is offered throughout the year.

MORNING COFFEE 
with Steve Pearlstein 

Co-Sponsored by West End Business Association and OTBPA

MORNING COFFEE with Steve Pearlstein 

Steve Pearlstein, the business and economics writer for the Washington Post, will speak at a Wednesday Morning Coffee on March 17.  It will be from 7:45 to 9:30 am at the School Board meeting room at the Alexandria City Public School (ACPS) headquarters, 2000 N. Beauregard St., which is right near the Seminary/#395 intersection.  There is plenty of free parking.  Program is co-sponsored by the Old Town Business & Professional Association and the West End Business Association.  Sponsors for the event include: Gold Works, Potomac River Boat Co. and New York Life Ins.  Thanks to their generosity, there is no charge for this excellent program.  Please let us know if you are coming by contacting Nancy Benjamin at brahmopticians@aol.com or 703-772-6716.

• Planted and maintained tree wells.

• Painted vacant and dilapidated store fronts.

• Organized and sponsored the Discovery street festivals.

• Organized and sponsored street sales.