PPR Strategies

We’re concluding the celebration of Economic Development Week throughout the state of Maryland! Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA)

Gabby attended the Howard County Economic Development Authority Business Resource Expo, where she learned about Maryland procurement opportunities and the resources the Maryland Innovation Center offers to entrepreneurs and businesses. Events like these help our team stay connected to the resources, partners, and opportunities that can make a difference for our clients and their communities.

We’re taking Economic Development Week on the road to Hyattsville, Maryland - Municipal Government!
Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA)

Yesterday, Sandy presented Strategic Roadmap for Business in Hyattsville and Beyond, a marketing course focused on helping local businesses better understand their markets and turn economic trends into opportunities. Thanks to Renee Harris, Business and Economic Development Coordinator, for bringing the business community together!

Looking for a speaker for your next event, workshop or training? Explore PPR’s speaking opportunities at the link in our bio!

This week, we’re celebrating the people, partnerships, businesses, and behind-the-scenes work that make our communities stronger. From Main Streets to small businesses to big ideas, economic development is happening all around us.

We’re proud to celebrate the work our clients do every day to help communities thrive. Read today’s blog here https://pprstrategies.com/from-main-streets-to-our-streets-celebrating-economic-development-week/ to hear what Economic Development Week means to the PPR team.

Happy World Tourism Day!

Tourism has a way of connecting us to places. A great meal, a local business or a memorable experience can turn a trip into a story you remember long after you’ve gone home. And the impact goes far beyond those experiences. In 2025, Travel & Tourism contributed a record $11.6 trillion to the global economy, representing 9.8% of global GDP and supporting 366 million jobs worldwide, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Our team has experienced those connections ourselves, from the Florida Keys and Lake Huron to Tuscany, Kuala Lumpur, and Bath, England. They’re a reminder of why thoughtful tourism strategy matters and why every destination has a story worth telling.

Tourism is a big part of what we do at PPR Strategies. We work with destinations and tourism organizations to develop strategies, strengthen destination stories and connect communities with the visitors they want to reach. Through our work with Visit Orange County Virginia and Maryland Tourism Coalition, we help turn tourism goals into action.

Have a destination that deserves to be discovered? Send us a message and let’s talk about your tourism strategy.

Today, we’re celebrating Dolly Parton the only way we know how: in beautiful blonde wigs, of course. September 25th gives us a little nod to Dolly’s iconic “9 to 5,” but it also gives us a reason to reflect on something we care about every day: the power of place.

Dolly never lost sight of the Smoky Mountains and the East Tennessee community that shaped her. Throughout her life, she turned that connection to home into investments that continue to make an impact from Dollywood to the Imagination Library.

At PPR, we love places for what makes them uniquely theirs: the small businesses that anchor a Main Street, the gathering places that bring people together, the stories that create a sense of identity, and the people who give a community its character. We believe those things are worth investing in.

So, in honor of Dolly, tell us: What place has shaped you, and what makes it special?

Fall is filling up quickly with opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate economic development across Maryland and beyond. From Economic Development Week in Maryland and the Main Street Maryland Conference to Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA)’s Fall Conference, International Economic Development Council’s Annual Conference, and the Maryland Tourism Coalition and Travel Summit, there’s a lot to add to the calendar.

This week in the blog, we’re sharing our fall event lineup, along with a few tips for making the most of the events you attend. Come prepared, make the connection, and don’t forget the follow-up.

See what’s on our fall lineup and start planning your season. Read this week’s blog here: https://pprstrategies.com/game-on-your-fall-event-playbook/

Virtual, in-person, or somewhere in between? How do you choose the right format for your next event? The right choice starts with more than a venue or a Zoom link. It starts with understanding your purpose, your audience, and the experience you want to create.

This week in the blog, we’re taking a closer look at what to consider when planning your next event, from reach and accessibility to cost, connection, and the challenges of going hybrid.

Read this week’s blog here: https://pprstrategies.com/what-to-do-before-you-pick-a-venue-or-send-a-zoom-link/

Caleigh and Shelby recently visited Urbana Middle School to meet with two 8th grade Business & Marketing classes!

As part of the FCPS Maryland Career Coaching program, they shared their career paths, gave students a look at what PPR does, and put the students in the marketing team seat for a challenge of their own: how would they market Urbana Middle School to other middle schoolers?

The students brought some great ideas to the table. And who knows, they may have met some future economic development professionals!

Gabby recently completed International Economic Development Council’s Business Retention & Expansion course. The three-day course explored strategies for proactive business outreach, issue identification, workforce development, financial support, and building stronger connections with existing businesses.

A few takeaways that stood out to Gabby: It’s all about relationships. Follow-up is huge. You have to market your BRE program. Support comes in different shapes and sizes.

Need help strengthening your community’s BRE strategy? PPR can help build the relationships, strategy, and communications that support local businesses. Learn more on our website: pprstrategies.com/

How does a graphic designer end up in economic development? For Olivia Asam, a winding path connected her creativity, hospitality and tourism background, and passion for visual storytelling.

As our Digital Storyteller, Olivia uses design to help our clients and their communities tell stories and make opportunities easier to see and understand. This week, she’s taking over the blog to share how she found her way to economic development and what she’s learning along the way. Read Olivia’s blog here: https://pprstrategies.com/a-designers-winding-path-to-economic-development!