Events Archive

The following events are now complete. For our list of upcoming events, please see our main Events Page.

 

2010 Past Events

  
Regional Network Gathering
October 29, 9 am - 4 pm Mountain Time
Santa Fe, NM
 
This Regional Gathering was postponed until next spring. We regret any inconvenience. Please email us for further information about spring 2011 event dates in the Southwest and Mountain States, or visit our Regional Gatherings page.
  
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
October 28, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Mountain Time
Santa Fe, NM
 
This Training Workshop was postponed until next spring. We regret any inconvenience. Please email us for further information about spring 2011 event dates in the Southwest and Mountain States, or visit our Training Workshops page.
 
Regional Network Gathering - NELBF
October 26, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm & October 27, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm Eastern Time
Keene, NH
 
This was a New England Local Business Forum (NELBF) event. The NELBF brings together leaders of local business organizations from around New England to share best practices, victories, lessons learned, and other information that will help New England local business organizations grow and thrive. The NELBF Fall 2010 gathering was open to leaders of existing and emerging local, independent business organizations across New England, including network staff, directors, board members and strong volunteers. October 26 was an evening event focusing on governance and planning for NELBF. October 27 focused on specific and practical programs to help local business networks working together to build strong local economies and a strong regional New England economy. For more information on the NELBF, visit their website. 
 
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
October 26, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Eastern Time
Grand Rapids, MI
 
This workshop was canceled. We regret any inconvenience. Please email us for further information about spring 2011 training dates in the Midwest, or or visit our Training Workshops page.
 
BALLE Economic Development Webinar Series
October 26, 1 pm - 2:30 pm Pacific Time
Call topic: Building Blocks
 
Co-hosted by BALLE Research & Economic Development Director Michael Shuman and BALLE Network Services Director Alissa Barron, our ten-part economic development webinar series is designed to help our networks change the nature of the local economic development discourse -- and to lead communities to carry out a number of economic development initiatives. The series parallels the chapters of our forthcoming workbook, A Local Living Economy Approach to Economic Development. Each month, Michael presents the strategy and tools from a new chapter of the workbook, and features local leaders who can speak about that economic development approach from a practical perspective. Open to BALLE member networks and their staff, boards, and business members, the call topics and materials are advertised via our network leader listserve. The October webinar was the fourth in the series and was a discussion on building blocks and emerging industries for a local living economy.
 
Regional Network Gathering
October 25, 9 am - 6:30 pm Eastern Time
Grand Rapids, MI
 
Throughout North America, BALLE networks are effectively linking businesses to create the building blocks of a new economy. The expertise for creating and growing local living economies is emerging from the ground up, and the most innovative knowledge about what is working resides with the network organizers who are pioneering this approach. BALLE Regional Gatherings bring together these innovative network organizers for peer-to-peer sharing of ideas and successful programs. Gatherings also explore common challenges and build relationships for long-term regional success. This Regional Gathering was hosted by Local First West Michigan, a national leader in the local living economies movement and a BALLE Regional Hub Network. 
 
BALLE Basics Call
October 19, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
October 12, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: Strategies for Successful Network Fundraising and Revenue Generation

Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. October speakers included: Vicki Pozzebon, Executive Director, Santa Fe Alliance; Mickki Langston, Executive Director, Mile High Business Alliance; Derek Long, Executive Director, Sustainable Connections.

 
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
October 8, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Pacific Time
Bellingham, WA
 
Led by Sustainable Connections Executive Director Derek Long and BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long, this was a "how to" workshop for existing and new BALLE networks. This day-long workshop was packed with presentations, group discussion and hands-on activities designed to equip you with the key principles, best practices, proven tools, and regional relationships needed to build business and community innovation through the building blocks of a local living economy. Participants created a specific work plan for their communities and left with a host of program examples and templates for local success. 
 
BALLE Economic Development Webinar Series
September 27, 1 pm - 2:30 pm Pacific Time
Call topic: Leakage Analysis
 
Hosted by Michael Shuman, BALLE Research & Economic Development Director, our ten-part economic development webinar series is designed to help our networks change the nature of the local economic development discourse -- and to lead communities to carry out a number of economic development initiatives. The series parallels the chapters of our forthcoming workbook, A Local Living Economy Approach to Economic Development. Each month, Michael presents the strategy and tools from a new chapter of the workbook, and features local leaders who can speak about that economic development approach from a practical perspective. Open to BALLE member networks and their staff, boards, and business members, the call topics and materials are advertised via our network leader listserve. The September webinar was the third in the series and focused on why leakage analysis is important.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
September 14, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: BALLE's New Leakage Calculators: Improving Your Rigor, and Identifying New Business and Job Opportunities for Your Community
 
Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. September's speaker was Michael Shuman.
 
BALLE Economic Development Webinar Series
August 31, 1 pm - 2:30 pm Pacific Time
Call topic: Assets Inventory

Hosted by Michael Shuman, BALLE Research & Economic Development Director, our ten-part economic development webinar series is designed to help our networks change the nature of the local economic development discourse -- and to lead communities to carry out a number of economic development initiatives. The series parallels the chapters of our forthcoming workbook, A Local Living Economy Approach to Economic Development. Each month, Michael presents the strategy and tools from a new chapter of the workbook, and features local leaders who can speak about that economic development approach from a practical perspective. Open to BALLE member networks and their staff, boards, and business members, the call topics and materials are advertised via our network leader listserve. The August webinar was the second in the series and focused on how and why you can inventory assets in your community.
 
BALLE Basics Call
August 17, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
August 10, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: Local First Innovations, Plus Tips & Tools for National Buy Local Week
 
Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. August speakers included Elissa Sangalli Hillary, Executive Director, Local First, Grand Rapids, MI; Genevieve King, Executive Director, Sustainable Business Council, Missoula, MT; and Joe Grafton, Executive Director, Somerville Local First, Somerville, MA.
  
Regional Network Gathering
July 23, 9 am - 4 pm Pacific Time
Bellingham, WA
 
Throughout North America, BALLE networks are effectively linking businesses to create the building blocks of a new economy. The expertise for creating and growing local living economies is emerging from the ground up, and the most innovative knowledge about what is working resides with the network organizers who are pioneering this approach. BALLE Regional Gatherings bring together these innovative network organizers for peer-to-peer sharing of ideas and successful programs. Gatherings also explore common challenges and build relationships for long-term regional success. This Regional Gathering was hosted by the Sustainable Connections, a national leader in the local business movement and a BALLE Regional Hub Network.
 
BALLE Basics Call
July 20, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
July 13, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: Building a Green Economy Task Force in Your Community with the New Green Jobs Toolkit Developed by SBN Philadelphia
 
Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. July's speakers included Leanne Krueger-Braneky, Executive Director, and Kate Houstoun, Director of Green Economy Initiatives, both of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia.
 
BALLE Basics Call
June 22, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
June 14, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Eastern Time
Philadelphia, PA
 
Led by BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long in partnership with Leanne Krueger-Braneky of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, this was a "how to" workshop for existing and new BALLE networks. Our day-long workshop was packed with presentations, group discussion and hands-on activities designed to equip you with the key principles, best practices, proven tools, and regional relationships needed to build business and community innovation through the building blocks of a local living economy. Participants created a specific work plan for thier communities and left with a host of program examples and templates for local success. Appropriate for local business, government, and community representatives currently organizing or growing a local, independent business network. Please see our workshops page for more information.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
June 8, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: "A Reprise of Network Leaders Day in Charleston (Including an Overview of BALLE's New and Updated Network Services)"
 
Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. June's speakers included Michael Shuman, BALLE Research and Economic Development Director, and Alissa Barron, BALLE Network Services Director.
 
8th ANNUAL BALLE BUSINESS CONFERENCE
Lighting the Way to a New Economy
May 21-23
Charleston, SC

In these uncertain economic times, BALLE brought together a community of business owners and innovation leaders who are proving that things can and should be different! Our economy ought to be by the people and for the people. The BALLE conference demonstrated how the new economy is being shaped at the grassroots level in local communities around North America.
 
Over 400 entrepreneurs and business owners, BALLE network leaders, economic developers, local government representatives and community connectors explored innovative best practices in growing community health and wealth. Together we found inspiration, shared proven tools and successful programs, and explored how communities (like yours) are stepping forward as leaders of the new economy. For more information, visit our conference website.
 
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
May 20, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Pacific Time
Charleston, SC
 
Led by BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long in partnership with Lowcountry Local First, this was a "how to" workshop for existing and new BALLE networks. Our day-long workshop was packed with presentations, group discussion and hands-on activities designed to equip you with the key principles, best practices, proven tools, and regional relationships needed to build business and community innovation through the building blocks of a local living economy. Participants created a specific work plan for their communities and left with a host of program examples and templates for local success. Appropriate for local business, government, and community representatives currently organizing or growing a local, independent business network. Please see our workshops page for more information.
 
BALLE Basics Call
May 4, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
NOTE DATE: This was a combined April-May Basics call, and thus was not held on our normal third Tuesday.
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
April 13, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: "Exploring Cooperative and Community Ownership Models that Build Local Living Economies"
 
Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. April's speakers included: Andrew McLeod, Communications Specialist, National Cooperative Business Association; Bill Patrie, Executive Director, Common Enterprise Development Corporation; and Steve Dubb, Research Director, The Democracy Collaborative.
 
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
April 1, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Pacific Time
Madison, WI
 
Led by BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, Dane Buy Local, and Our Milwaukee, this was a "how to" workshop for existing and new BALLE networks. Our day-long workshop was packed with presentations, group discussion and hands-on activities designed to equip you with the key principles, best practices, proven tools, and regional relationships needed to build business and community innovation through the building blocks of a local living economy. Participants created a specific work plan for their communities and left with a host of program examples and templates for local success. Appropriate for local business, government, and community representatives currently organizing or growing a local, independent business network. Please see our workshops page for more information.
 
BALLE Basics Call
March 16, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
March 9, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: "Effective Organizational Structures for BALLE Networks"
 
Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. March's speakers included: Amy Kedron, Legal Scholar and Executive Director, Buffalo First; Leanne Krueger-Braneky, Executive Director, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia; Elissa Sangalli Hillary, Executive Director, Local First (West Michigan); and Kelley Rajala, Executive Director, Sonoma County GoLocal Cooperative.
 
Regional Network Gathering
Philadelphia, PA
February 25, 9 am - 4 pm
 
Throughout North America, BALLE networks are effectively linking businesses to create the building blocks of a new economy. The expertise for creating and growing local living economies is emerging from the ground up, and the most innovative knowledge about what is working resides with the network organizers who are pioneering this approach. BALLE Regional Gatherings bring together these innovative network organizers for peer-to-peer sharing of ideas and successful programs. Gatherings also explore common challenges and build relationships for long-term regional success. This first Regional Gathering was hosted by the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, a national leader in the local business movement and an influential force in the green economy. For more information, download the flyer. 
 
BALLE Basics Call
February 16, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
February 9, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: "Partnering with the media to advance local living economies"
 
Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are held the second Tuesday of each month and are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. February's speakers included Karen Marzloff, Seacoast Local coordinator and managing editor of The Wire, a news and culture weekly in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Jody Colley, member of the Oakland Merchants Leadership Forum and publisher of the East Bay Express, and board member for the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies.
 
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
San Francisco, CA
February 1, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Pacific Time
 
Led by BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long, this was a "how to" workshop for existing and new BALLE networks. Our day-long workshop was packed with presentations, group discussion and hands-on activities designed to equip you with the key principles, best practices, proven tools, and regional relationships needed to build business and community innovation through the building blocks of a local living economy. Participants created a specific work plan for their communities and left with a host of program examples and templates for local success. Appropriate for local business, government, and community representatives currently organizing or growing a local, independent business network. For more information, please visit our workshops page. 
 
BALLE Basics Call
January 19, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
BALLE Network Leaders Roundup Call
January 19, 10 am - 11 am Pacific Time
Call topic: "Community Food Enterprise: Interpreting & Using BALLE's New Study of Successful Business Models"
 
Our monthly conference calls for network leaders feature presentations and discussions on topics of interest at both the regional and national levels, and feature expert speakers and network leaders themselves. Calls are open to representatives of BALLE networks, including network staff, board members, and key business members. Call topics and reminders are advertised via our network leader listserve. January's speakers included Michael Shuman, Community Food Enterprise lead author and BALLE Research & Economic Development Director, and a representative from one of our featured successful food businesses.
 

2009 Past Events

 
BALLE Basics Call
December 15, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
BALLE's National Buy Local Week 2009
November 29 - December 6

BALLE's Buy Local Week is celebrated by many of our 75 local business networks across the US and Canada. Buy Local Week is an opportunity for locally owned businesses to work together to increase the local economic impact of holiday spending, create more jobs, more tax revenue and a more stable local economy.

 
BALLE Basics Call
November 17, 1 pm - 2:15 pm Pacific Time
 
This call is designed to answer questions about forming a network of locally owned, independent businesses in your community! We discuss local living economy principles, BALLE services and network benefits, and the network application and intake process. We leave significant time for your questions and recommend reviewing our Start a Network page before the call.
 
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
Bellingham, WA
November 16, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Pacific Time
 
Led by BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long and Sustainable Connections Executive Director Derek Long, this was the third workshop in our new series of "how to" workshops for existing and new BALLE networks. This day-long workshop was packed with presentations, group discussion and hands-on activities designed to equip you with the key principles, best practices, proven tools, and regional relationships needed to build business and community innovation through the building blocks of a local living economy. Participants created a specific work plan for their communities and left with a host a manuals and templates for local success. Appropriate for local business, government, and community representatives currently organizing or growing a local, independent business network. Please see our workshops page for more information.
 
Partner conference
San Francisco, California
November 11-12
 
Whether you are an established green business visionary or just starting your journey to sustainability,  Green America's Green Business Conference are an exceptional opportunity to partner with business leaders who share your values, your challenges, and your successes. You'll hear keynotes from socially responsible business pioneers, and experience authentic networking opportunities. The Green Business Conference program is designed to help you survive and thrive in this new economy. Speakers include Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, CEO, Green for All; Libby Reder, Co-founder, Environmental Initiatives, e-Bay; Bryan Welch, Publisher and Editorial Director, Ogden Publications; Theresa Marquez, Chief Marketing Executive, Organic Valley Family of Farms; Margot Fraser, Founder/Former CEO Birkenstock USA; Priya Haji, Co-Founder/CEO, World of Good; and Joey Shepp, Founder, CEO, Earthsite, LLC.
 
Workshop: Building a Local BALLE Network
Santa Fe, New Mexico
October 26, 8 am - 5:30 pm Mountain Time
 
Led by BALLE Executive Director Michelle Long, Santa Fe Alliance Executive Director Vicki Pozzebon, and New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Fogarty, this was the second in our new series of "how to" workshops for existing and new BALLE networks. This day-long workshop was packed with presentations, group discussion and hands-on activities designed to equip you with the key principles, best practices, proven tools, and regional relationships needed to build business and community innovation through the building blocks of a local living economy. Participants created a specific work plan for their communities and left with a host a manuals and templates for local success. Appropriate for local business, government, and community representatives currently organizing or growing a local, independent business network. Please see our workshops page for more information.
 
Partner conference
Transforming Money, Rebuilding Community, Redefining Wealth
Sonoma, California
October 18-23
 
Praxis Peace Institute and RSF Social Finance hosted an in-depth exploration of economic solutions to the crisis we face today. Co-sponsors: YES! Magazine, E.F. Schumacher Society, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Mother Jones Magazine, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma County GoLocal Cooperative, and others. Speakers included U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, James K. Galbraith, David Korten, Vandana Shiva, Riane Eisler, Tom Greco, BALLE's Judy Wicks, Mikel Lezamiz and Fred Freundlich of the Mondragon Cooperatives of Spain, Sam Keen, Jacob Needleman, and others.