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Business-district commission outlines marketing, events and BlueDot outreach for 2025
Summary
The Webster Groves Business District Commission discussed re-starting a monthly newsletter, shared marketing campaigns, event ideas, BlueDot outreach, and business insurance options at its meeting.
The Webster Groves Business District Commission heard updates on collaboration, shared marketing and events and discussed ways to boost outreach to local businesses, including a planned newsletter, a shared “showcase” event and better use of the BlueDot business-directory platform.
Julia Lenny, the commission’s vice chair and owner of Descendant Boutique, said the BDC’s collaboration group reviewed Small Business Saturday results and is considering spring and summer events — such as an art-related February promotion, a March 3/14 tie-in and a May or June “showcase” where businesses could present products and generate revenue as vendors. Lenny said members also discussed piggybacking on regional campaigns like STL Made and Love Local to amplify marketing.
The commission plans to resume a monthly newsletter (targeted for distribution on Wednesdays) and to circulate a one-page summary about initiatives for inclusion in that mailing. City staff said hard-copy business-directory material and an electronic version were produced and circulated; some businesses paid for single-page listings while other collaborative placements were covered by partners.
Commission members discussed BlueDot, the city’s business-directory platform, and a plan to produce a short tutorial video or staffed sign-up table at upcoming events. Scott Davis (BlueDot consultant) is expected to brief the group at a future meeting after he reviews current platform strategy. The commission aims to use simple tools — QR codes at events, staffed signup stations at coffee meetups and occasional computers at events — to raise BlueDot enrollment.
Insurance and membership benefits were also discussed. Members described the MEWA (multiple-employer welfare arrangement) benefit available through Chamber of Commerce membership that can lower employee health-insurance costs for small employers who meet enrollment requirements.
Logistics and outreach items for upcoming gatherings were set: a business “happy hour” on Jan. 30 and a coffee meeting around Valentine’s Day for a more business-focused discussion. Business-license renewals will go out via mail with BlueDot instructions and email notices where available.
The commission asked staff to prepare a one-page informational summary and to coordinate calendar invites and newsletters so business owners receive consistent messaging about events and resources.
