Keynotes
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 Donovan D. Rypkema is principal of Place Economics, a Washington, D.C.-based real estate and economic development consulting firm. The firm specializes in services to public and non-profit sector clients, who are dealing with downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization and the reuse of historic structures. In 2004 Rypkema established Heritage Strategies International, a firm created to provide similar services to world-wide clients. Rypkema has worked with communities in 49 states and more than 30 countries. He is the author of numerous articles and publications as well as a book, The Economics of Historic Preservation: A Community Leader’s Guide. Rypkema holds a Master of Science degree in historic preservation from Columbia University and serves on the board of directors of Global Urban Development. He teaches a course on the economics of historic preservation at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received the 2008 G. Holmes Perkins Award for Distinguished Teaching. |
 Jon Schallert is the only marketing consultant in the world teaching businesses, downtowns, and communities how to reinvent themselves as Consumer Destinations. As president of The Schallert Group, he speaks to thousands annually on his “Destination Business” principles, which he developed after more than twenty four years of on-site consultations with small business owners. Prior to starting his company, Schallert spent ten years with greeting card giant Hallmark Cards, where his original marketing strategies were publicized throughout the company as “the Schallert Method”. When he is not speaking around the country, Schallert conducts his 2½ day Destination Business BootCamps in Colorado, where business owners learn his 14-step strategy to turn their businesses into Consumer Destinations. He also writes a monthly newsletter, individually consults with business owners and now conducts online trainings for business owners and downtown districts at Destination University.com. |
Doug Loescher is the director of the National Trust Main Street Center, the leading organization for commercial district revitalization in the country. Loescher, who brings more than 25 years of experience in the Main Street field to his current position, was initially a local director for revitalization programs in Maysville, Kentucky, and Corning, New York. He has worked with communities across the nation, in his role at the Main Street Center. Trained as an urban planner, Loescher has received additional degrees and certificates in adult education and training, consulting, and creative problem solving. He has co-authored several publications, including the Main Street Committee Members Handbooks and Main Street Success Stories.