2. Downtown Evanston was able to organize the Wedding Walk after successfully recruiting a bridal boutique to the district. We had the last and most necessary element of our wedding cluster. The Wedding Walk connected businesses that should have already been working together, but werent. Gave downtown Evanston exposure as a wedding destination

4. 10 participating vendors Brides-to-be and their guests visited each of 10 businesses including travel agents, hotels, florists, restaurants and jewelers to learn how they could use their services for their wedding Wedding Walk was followed by a fashion show incorporating various businesses in the downtown

5. Fashion show took place at local music venue, 27 Live Avail and Company designed and created 33 custom handmade gowns for the show Jewelry provided by Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio and Aylas Originals. Flowers provided by Ixia Flowers Hair and Make-up services done compliments of Art+Science Salon and Steven Pappageorge Salon

6. Each bride was eligible to win great prizes including overnight hotel stays, jewelry, dinners and one lucky winner went home with a custom-handmade bridal gown!

7. Marketing included a mix of local print and digital media, a huge social media push via Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest and cross promotion of participating businesses

8. AAA Travel Aylas Originals Bead Bazaar Avail and Company Bravo Cucina Italiana Davis Transportation Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Orrington/Evanston Hotel Ixia Flowers KOI Restaurant Vinic Wine 27 Live

9. Received calls and emails from: Wedding & Party Planners, Bakeries, Photographers, Jewelers, and Event Venues Asking how they could participate in the first annual Wedding Walk. This was staffs opportunity to talk to potential businesses about locating in our district.

10. This first year event gained exposure for downtown Evanston as a one stop wedding destination and validated the district as a wedding cluster. This exposure will help to draw in new businesses and drum up the event for next year. Filling vacant storefronts, creating jobs and building up a now annual event.

11. 90 individuals in attendance Included brides, parents, friends & significant others One wedding was booked at 27Live One wedding booked at KOI Restaurant One wedding booked at Hilton Orrington Wedding Jewelry purchased at Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio Joseph Studios booked a wedding outside of Evanston Wedding gowns were ordered through Avail & Co. Transportation was booked through Davis transportation Another bridal shop is prospecting to locate in downtown Evanston Businesses are communicating and partnering with one another in downtown Evanston