Best Practices Awards 2017 originally anticipated . It was also great for the store , which didn ’ t have to spend much money to host the festival .
“ There was very little cost to us because of vendor support , and because many local businesses chipped in for the musical artist ,” he says . “ We also didn ’ t have to pay to rent a venue because we held the event at the Community Center , which is another city-run facility that has a huge outdoor area .”
The Community Center recouped money from the tasting , and River Bend received a substantial amount of residual sales . Due to the success of last year ’ s event , River Bend and the Community Center plan to partner together on another event this fall . However ,
Windom residents can expect some changes .
“ This year we ’ re going to include wine and spirit tasting along with the craft beer to appeal to a broader audience ,” Audette says . “ As a result , the event will be even bigger . We ’ re advertising more than 100 products to sample , but that ’ s probably a very conservative estimate . Also , instead of incorporating another concert into the event , this year the tasting will be followed by a big fireworks display .”
“ Hopefully it will continue to grow and become more of a town festival instead of just a tasting ,” he says . •
MELISSA SHERWIN is a freelance writer and marketing communications strategist from Chicago , IL . Her work has appeared in Chicago ’ s Daily Herald newspaper , Time Out Chicago , Suburban Life newspapers , and various magazines . She is also the author of several children ’ s books . Follow her @ MelissaNiksic .
MAURA KELLER is a Minneapolis-based writer and editor . She writes for dozens of publications on a variety of business-related topics . When not writing , Maura serves as executive director of the literacy nonprofit , Read Indeed .
ALEX VAN ABBEMA is a journalism and business management graduate from the University of Minnesota . He specializes in business journalism , and his work has appeared in Minnesota ’ s Star Tribune and Franchise Times magazine .
26 StateWays | www . stateways . com | September / October 2017