As stated on their website, ballstonbid.com, “The Ballston Business Improvement (BID) will imagine and implement innovative programs, partnerships and collaborations that bring people together, create a sense of community and strengthen the economic vitality of our businesses and commercial partners in Ballston.”

Their vision “is to create a leading business district that attracts, supports and connects the most creative, compelling and ambitious minds in the region.”

The strategies the BID uses to achieve their goals are:

1. “Focus on creating innovative and dynamic opportunities for learning, networking and collaboration.”
2. “To leverage the unique combination of research, education, non-profit and corporate organizations in the Ballston area.”
3. “To continue with our focused and impactful placemaking efforts that over time will transform Ballston into a unique, amenity-rich destination with a strong sense of community.”

One of the many tools they use is their monthly podcast. Launched in February 2018, CEO Tina Leone hosts the “BallstonConnect Podcast” monthly, which focuses on the hyper-local with each episode featuring interviews with “Arlington’s brightest personalities.”

In the latest episode of BallstonConnect, “Tina Leone continues her discussions with Arlington’s women CEOs and entrepreneurs. Tina is joined by Kates Bates, the CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. We find out how Kates took the lead role at the Chamber at only 29 years old, how the Chamber acts as a resource for businesses of all sizes, and what role the Chamber played during the pursuit of Amazon.”

You can listen to the episode at ballstonconnectpodcast.libsyn.com/kate-bates-the-arlington-chamber-of-commerce

References:

BallstonConnect Podcast. (2019). Ballston BID. Source: http://ballstonconnectpodcast.libsyn.com/

Ballston BID Hopping on the Podcast Bandwagon with New Show Launch. (2018). AmericanINNO. Source: https://www.americaninno.com/dc/first-look/ballston-bid-hopping-on-the-podcast-bandwagon-with-new-show-launch/