BALLE Opens Registration for June 12-14 Business Conference in Buffalo

January 15, 2013
Buffalo First

Hundreds of attendees expected for BALLE’s 11^th Annual Business Conference that emphasizes the ideals of Localism; Discounted registration offered to Buffalo First! members.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Jan. 15, 2013 – Today, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) opened registration for its 2013 Business Conference which will take place in Buffalo from June 12 -14.

BALLE is the fastest growing business alliance of values aligned entrepreneurs, business networks, and local economy funders in North America. Buffalo First! is serving as the conference’s host organization, leading a Local Organizing Committee that includes representatives from Visit Buffalo Niagara, The John R. Oishei Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Partnership for the Public Good and other community members.

Event organizers estimate that the conference will bring more than 600 attendees to town, resulting in an estimated economic impact of $717,205. The conference will be centered on the campus of Buffalo State College, with plans for events to take place in the Elmwood Village, at Larkin Square, in Niagara Square and at Statler City.

Attendees can now register for the conference at www.bealocalist.org/balle-business-conference and discounts are available for Buffalo First! members. Rates are as follows, and information on Buffalo First! membership can be found at www.buffalofirst.org by calling (716) 725-6100.

Full-conference registration:

Early-bird (before April 19): General public: $495; Buffalo First! members: $395

Regular rate (April 19 and beyond): General public: $595; Buffalo First! members: $495

One-day registration:

June 12: $125

June 13: $250

June 14: $250

“BALLE is thrilled to be inviting the entire Localist movement to join us in Buffalo, N.Y. for our annual conference,” said BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long. “Not only is our community eager to experience the many ways that Localism has driven Buffalo’s economic rebirth, but we are excited to be bringing the world’s cutting-edge social entrepreneurs, sustainable business advocates, network builders, funders, philanthropists, policymakers, thought-leaders and others to share the most innovative and successful local economy solutions with Buffalo. We are looking forward to gathering in Buffalo this June to learn from, and work with, each other.”

"Localists have played a fundamental role in Buffalo’s resurgence. Buffalo serves as a prime example that resilient, healthy economies are built from the ground-up, by investing in home-grown businesses and economic development strategies that align with the needs of the community,” said Buffalo First! Executive Director Sarah Bishop. “We look forward to sharing best practices with the BALLE community and inspiring leaders and business owners alike to action across North America."

“The impacts of bringing the 2013 BALLE Conference to Buffalo are many. First, it’s an opportunity to expose an audience of national and international influencers to our vibrant neighborhoods, forward-thinking businesspeople and world-class attractions. Second, BALLE attendees generally seek out locally owned restaurants, bars and stores, which will keep more of their tourism dollars in Western New York,” said Visit Buffalo Niagara President and CEO Dottie Gallagher-Cohen. “The goals and values of this conference align perfectly with our community’s brand as a place where visitors will find unique, creative, authentic local experiences that are anything but cookie-cutter.”

BALLE is the fastest growing business alliance of values aligned entrepreneurs, business networks, and local economy funders in North America. BALLE believes that national and global prosperity begins at the local level.  BALLE equips Localist leaders with strategies for local success, and provides the national forum for the most visionary local economy leaders to connect, build their capacity and innovate.  BALLE is building a supportive field for these leaders by coordinating communications and impact metrics, spreading their stories and data, and attracting new resources.  BALLE connects entrepreneurs who are rethinking their industries, innovative funders who are investing to scale the Localist movement, and visionary network organizers who can mobilize on a broad scale.

Buffalo First! is a nonprofit whose mission is to foster a strong, self-determined local economy in Western New York through consumer education, advocacy and programs that further the impact of local and sustainable business in the region.

Visit Buffalo Niagara sells and markets our assets and attractions to visitors outside of the Buffalo Niagara region as a convention, tourism and leisure destination for the economic benefit of the community.

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