Watertown Local First Celebrates First Anniversary with Guest Speaker Michael Shuman

The following information was provided by Watertown Local First:

Watertown Local First will celebrate its First Anniversary at the Mount Auburn Club, Oct. 4, 7-9 pm. The event will feature a revelatory presentation by Michael Shuman, an expert on local economies; light fare from various Watertown local independent culinary establishments; and networking opportunities for local independent businesses, town officials, interested residents and community leaders.

Date: Thursday, October 4, 2012, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Location: The Mount Auburn Club, 57 Coolidge Ave., Watertown

Parking: Plenty of free, on-site parking for the event

Participation: Local business owners and staff, community leaders, Town of Watertown representatives, and people interested in the work of Watertown Local First are all welcome to this educational and inspiring event.

Admission: No charge

Schedule:

• 7-7:30 p.m. Networking with refreshments provided by local businesses
• 7:30-8:15 p.m. Presentation by Michael Shuman
• 8:15-8:30 p.m. Questions and Answers
• 8:30-9 p.m. Networking and dessert provided by local businesses

For more information email info@watertownlocalfirst.org or visit the Watertown Local First website, watertownlocalfirst.org.

About Michael Shuman

Attorney, economist, and author Michael Shuman will be the keynote speaker at the official public launch of Watertown Local First.  

Watertown Local First is a nonprofit organization of nearly 50 locally owned and independent businesses in Watertown, committed to building a strong local economy and a vibrant community. Having written several influential books on the topic, including Going Local, The Small-Mart Revolutionand Local Dollars, Local Sense, Shuman is one of the nation's leading authorities on local economies.  

He helped found, along with Boston’s Laury Hammel, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), and he gives 40-50 talks per year, around the United States and increasingly worldwide, to support small-business networks like Watertown’s.  

Shuman is currently a Fellow at three institutions: BALLE, Cutting Edge Capital, and Post-Carbon Institute. He has authored, coauthored, or edited eight books. His 2006 book, "The Small Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition" (Berrett-Koehler, 2006), received as bronze prize from the Independent Publishers Association for best business book of 2006.

He also regularly leads economic-development initiatives around the country, ranging from grassroots planning efforts in Berea (Ky.) to North Carolina’s efforts to “recapture” a federal license to a hydroelectric dam on the Yadkin River.