The First Impressions Strategy Team, in collaborate with many others, is leading an initiative to connect college students with our regional community.  Several initiatives are already in place to connect with local businesses for internships and mentorships; however, we need to do a better job “selling our community” as a great place to live and play, as well as work.  Studies increasing point to the fact that college graduates are first choosing WHERE to live, then finding empl...

Working with neighboring municipalities in the core urban area of Greater Lansing, members of the Placemaking and First Impressions Action Teams have proposed the creation of a regional signage and wayfinding plan, and to find innovative and sustainable ways to fund its implementation and maintenance.  It is more cost effective to broaden the scope of the project and split the fixed costs associated with its rollout - it may be too expensive to tackle alone, but pooled resources will lessen...

The team has been working on developing a plan for an initiative called “Taking Pride in Greater Lansing”  in which community members identify places in the region that are considered detrimental to presenting a positive first impression, and then teams or groups of volunteers gather to improve them. The projects could range from simple spring and fall landscaping cleanups to physical repairs at highly visible entryways through the community.  We will plan for and promote a community d...

Throughout the year, the team has been working on a plan to implement the use of this brand to regional partners in the form of a “toolkit” to create cohesive branding of the region to visitors and newcomers. Elements of the toolkit will include brand usage standards, signage templates, frames for advertising, the regional brand video, guidelines to utilize the regional brand with local community branding efforts, and other suggestions for usage. The team has continued to brainstorm ways to begi...

The CTA program is led by the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the First Impressions team participated in the very first training program, and were also trained to serve as facilitators for future community participants.  This program is a national one, and our region is one of 15 across the country who have embraced this curriculum.  The four-hour course is designed to equip our front-line service employees to promote the region and present a positive first impressi...

 As our team focused on expanding regional services that are supportive of entrepreneurship and focused on innovation, we have developed “5 on 5 @ 5”, a new mentoring program for emerging entrepreneurs.  The inaugural ‘5 on 5 @ 5’ mentoring program brought this group together with five established entrepreneurs to create connections, collaboration, and camaraderie among innovators in the region.  Each of the entrepreneurs delivered their own individual message - whether it was in ...

This initiative is focused improving engagement with current and incoming students with the Greater Lansing community, and introducing them to the assets of our community and opportunities post-graduation.  We are working with representatives from MSU on programs to support this effort.

This project’s goal will be to encourage residents to take pride in their communities by committing to beautify a portion of public space in Greater Lansing. The event will be held throughout the summer months with hopes of being a sustainable initiative for the future. After the groups have done their beautifying, they will be entered in a competition for recognition and prizes for the most “prideful” group. Currently, details are being finalized. 

 Guest Blogger and Greater Lansing Next Strategy Team member, Kate Tykocki talks about the importance of being a 'Tourist in your Own Town' 

Michigan Avenue is the “Main Street” for our region and it is the focus of several initiatives that will improve both the way the corridor functions and its image as a centerpiece of the community. This corridor is frequented by visitors to our region who are here because of destinations like Michigan State University, the State Capitol and the Lansing Center, or potentially as visitors attending a Lansing Lugnuts baseball game, business conference or other event. As we look to improve...