City Expo Date and Format ChangeTHE CITY OF
Dui
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Expo Date and Format Changes
DATE: November 7, 2012
Dubuque
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All- America City
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2012
City Expo is Dubuque's annual "open house" event designed to inform Dubuque
residents about city programs, services, and resources and give them an additional
opportunity to speak with City staff. City Expo features activities and demonstrations by
all City departments and divisions as well as some partner organizations. The event
has been held annually in early April for more than the past 10 years. When the event
was first established in the early 1990s, it was held in September.
In an effort to revitalize the event and make it a more effective community engagement
activity, Public Information Officer Randy Gehl is recommending City Council approval
to hold City Expo in early September, and to form a task force of staff from other
departments to solicit input and involvement in redesigning City Expo to encourage
more innovative displays and activities at this event.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Michael C. Van Milligen
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Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
THE CITY OF
Dui
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
DATE: Nov. 7,2012
SUBJECT: City Expo Date & Format Changes
Dubuque
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All-America City
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INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request approval to pursue changes to the schedule for and format of the annual City
Expo event.
BACKGROUND
City Expo is Dubuque's annual "open house" event designed to inform Dubuque residents about city programs, services, and
resources and give them an additional opportunity to speak with City staff. City Expo features activities and demonstrations
by all City departments and divisions as well as some partner organizations. The event has been held annually in early April
for more than the past 10 years. When the event was first established in the early 1990s, it was held in September.
DISCUSSION
In an effort to revitalize the event and make it a more effective community engagement activity, I am proposing City Expo be
held in early September, rather than April. Weather is more predictable and conducive for gatherings in September. This
schedule would coincide with the beginning of the school year for children. It would also coincide with the return /arrival of
local college students and provide a great opportunity to engage these temporary Dubuque residents shortly after they arrive
or return.
Based on the Human Rights Department's new focus on community engagement, I would work closely with their staff to
review options for the format of the event to make it more engaging and informative for residents. Additionally, I would form a
task force of staff from other departments to solicit their input and involvement in redesigning City Expo to encourage more
innovative displays and activities offered at the event. Possible format modifications include the addition of breakout sessions
in meeting rooms focused on specific issues or initiatives and more interactive displays and demonstrations. I do not expect
to move the event location from the Five Flags Center.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request approval to pursue these plans. Thank you for your consideration.
Prepared by:
Randy Gehl
cc:
Nikola Pavelic, Community Engagement Coordinator
Molly Menster, Human Relations Specialist