Dawn Picken's Page

Who are these people, anyways? How did they get to the Spokane region?
Why do they stay?

By: Dawn Picken
Marketing Director, Greater Spokane Inc.

Brian Forth, President, SiteCrafting

I pulled Brian aside after a Greater Spokane Incorporated
breakfast at Northern Quest’s new hotel. In part, the Q&A was an excuse to enjoy that new-hotel smell and sit before the massive stone fireplace in the lobby. That’s where we talked fishing, beer making, and about Brian’s website development com… Continue

Hatching a Plan

Late one Wednesday evening, at a café in downtown Spokane, I met with members of Sean’s party professionals group, called INPRO. They’re a collection of photographers, DJs, caterers, rental shops, planners, printers, an engraver… a confetti mix of small business owners with a couple common traits: 1) They’re in the events business 2) They know how to throw a fine party themselves (I say this after attending several INPRO functions with Sean and always leaving with a smile… Continue

I thought I'd share my nightmare about how not buying local has struck a sour chord, in hopes others can learn from my sheer idiocy. Before Greater Spokane Incorporated kicked off the Inland NW's Buy Local campaign, I signed up with an Oklahoma-based piano mover to get… Continue

Buy Local programs can be tricky instruments to learn. Everyone has an opinion about who should and should not get to play a role. The BL campaign at Greater Spokane Incorporated is inclusive for a few reasons: 1) we want to allow our message to spread as broadly… Continue

How have you supported "Buy Local" lately? Told a friend about a great restaurant (or better yet, ate there yourself!), shopped a local boutique or national firm located here instead of clicking for shoes online? Somehow, buying from across the country doesn't seem as avan… Continue