St. Paul Riverfront Corporation
  
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The Fillmore Dinner started as a gathering of 125 people in 1994, but has grown to an annual sellout of 1,600 guests since 2001.

The River Exploration Trunk, distributed to 100% of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Public Schools,  was the keynote feature of the Grand Excursion Educate component.

Public Outreach & Communications has used Harriet Island as a gathering place for several events.

Public Outreach & Communications

The primary goal of the Public Outreach & Communications program is to inform, inspire and involve the community in Saint Paul’s renaissance and the implementation of the Framework. Through this important program, the Riverfront Corporation keeps citizens apprised of current initiatives, garners input and support for proposed projects, reconnects the community to its river heritage, and entices visitors to experience the Mississippi River and the adjacent urban waterfront. By working in partnership with district councils, special interest groups, neighborhood organizations, elected officials and businesses, the Riverfront Corporation communicates the progress being made toward the city’s vision and instills pride and ownership in the city’s future. These interactive strategies have been instrumental in creating and sustaining the public will necessary to carry out the vision articulated in the Framework.

While the nature of the message may vary, the touchstone is always the river and its capacity to bring citizens together in support of the City’s vision. Public Outreach & Communications accomplishes its objectives through event marketing and effective communication tools such as:

  • The popular Millard Fillmore Dinner, Saint Paul’s annual town dinner, where the community gathers to celebrate the city’s progress and anticipate its future.
  • Monthly postcards and this Web site are strategic communication tools that provide information on a timely and regular basis about the work of the Riverfront Corporation and the city’s progress in achieving its vision. These tools are combined with a diverse range of print, video and other products — many produced in partnership with other organizations — providing news and information to all sectors of the community in accessible and relevant formats.
  • Conferences, lectures, open houses, and neighborhood meetings generate an understanding and appreciation of issues, and explore new solutions — all of which serve to nurture the sense of community that is essential to achieving the city’s vision. Open and direct relationships with the local media foster awareness and understanding of the different perspectives and challenges that surround each project. Media coverage is a critical communication tool providing the public with an independent third party perspective on the city’s progress.