Old Town Bowie Artisan, Maker, and Small Business Owner Meetup
Inncuvate Community Development Partners, Inc. and ReCast City LLC invite you to a meeting for local artisans, makers, and other product business owners to discuss the potential for a Maker District in Old Town Bowie. We are working with the City of Bowie, local entrepreneurs, and local businesses to understand the artisan and product businesses in the area and what they need to grow.
What is a Maker District?
A maker district is a neighborhood that features a range of spaces where businesses can engage in small-scale production and where visitors can easily walk around and shop for a variety of locally-made products, potentially ranging from boutique textiles to small-batch beverages or snacks.
It fosters creativity and innovation by providing access to tools, resources, and a collaborative environment for makers, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Agenda
6:00 – 6:15 PM | Welcome & Introductions
Welcome remarks
Quick introductions (name, what you make/do, one hope for the Maker District)
6:15 – 6:30 PM | Vision for a Maker District
Presentation on concept and goals
What is a Maker District?
Why Old Town Bowie?
Examples of successful maker districts
6:30 – 6:50 PM | Business Community Voices: Business Owner Experiences
Brief testimonials from makers/artisans/entrepreneurs
Open floor for additional insights
6:50 – 7:20 PM | Facilitated Discussion
Discussion Prompts:
What resources, spaces, or support do you need?
What would you want to see in a Maker District?
What partnerships or opportunities do you see?
7:20 – 7:30 PM | Takeaways and Next Steps
Consolidation on themes, ideas, or unique needs
Opportunities for continued involvement
7:30 – 8:00 PM | Q&A + Networking
Open floor for additional questions and ideas
Informal networking
This meeting will start promptly at 6 pm on April 30 at the Huntington Community Center.
Join our conversation to share your experiences with us so we can make Old Town Bowie an amazing place for both business owners and residents. We welcome full-time and part-time business owners to the discussion.
In partnership with the City of Bowie Office of Economic Development.