The council’s deliberations prominently featured the challenge of social media access for promoting the forthcoming small business boot camp. The event, designed to support and educate local entrepreneurs, required robust online promotion. However, the council faced a hurdle when access to the town’s official social media accounts was denied to Vanessa, a content creator tasked with handling live updates and generating content during the boot camp. This limitation prompted a discussion about creating separate social media accounts specifically for the event to ensure adequate coverage and outreach. The council considered establishing an Instagram account, seen as the most suitable platform for engaging the audience. They also discussed the potential benefits of using a Facebook page and leveraging the chamber’s existing YouTube channel for additional promotional efforts. The council emphasized the importance of a structured approach to social media engagement.

In addition to social media challenges, the council addressed the logistical aspects of the boot camp, scheduled to begin with registration and breakfast at 9:00 a.m. The Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce and BNI Miami Lakes were recognized as sponsors, with the agenda featuring presentations on various business topics, including “Start Here: A User’s Guide to Opening Your Own Business” and “Business Legal Basics 101.” A point of contention arose around the absence of a scheduled break during the presentations. While some argued for a brief pause, others noted that breaks had not been necessary in previous, shorter events. Ultimately, the council did not reach a consensus on incorporating a break, but they acknowledged the need to remain flexible with the agenda.

Promotional materials for the boot camp were another focal point, with the council underscoring the importance of including sponsor logos and ensuring accurate details on flyers and digital platforms. Suggestions included adding a QR code to direct potential attendees to Eventbrite for registration or a calendar website. The aesthetics of the promotional materials were discussed, with a preference for designs that aligned with the town’s branding. The council expressed a desire for the materials to feature the Town of Miami Lakes as a backdrop and considered combining these elements with the creative designs provided by Vanessa.

The council also delved into the event’s budget, discussing the allocation of funds for promotional efforts and sponsorships. A previous motion to allocate an additional $1,500 for marketing was revisited in light of a new budgetary influx of $2,400. Clarification was sought on the budget and a clear directive for ad spending, emphasizing the need for precise planning to avoid delays in promotional activities. The council recognized the urgency of setting a subcommittee meeting within the next few weeks to finalize these details.

Another topic was the culinary bike tour, initially planned as part of the event but deemed too costly due to police department fees. The council considered reallocating funds, but with only $2,400 remaining in the marketing budget, the tour’s estimated $3,000 cost was prohibitive. The council acknowledged the constraints and decided to forego the culinary bike tour, focusing resources on other aspects of the boot camp.

Amidst these discussions, the council explored a proposal for a small business bingo initiative, presented during the public comments segment. The idea involved creating a bingo card featuring different local businesses, with participants receiving stamps for visits and redeeming completed cards for prizes at Town Hall. The council responded positively, expressing interest in discussing the initiative further at a larger Economic Development Committee meeting.