Great Dane Beginnings starts on Central Avenue! This year, University at Albany’s official freshmen orientation begins on Central Avenue, with tours of the district and introductions to local restaurants, stores, and businesses.
On Saturday August 25, the Central BID will host 1,000 incoming freshmen, introducing them to Central Avenue businesses. Students will be treated to a tour of Albany’s uptown, followed by a party at the Albany Ramada Plaza, featuring fun, food, and lots of freebies!
“We know that students who venture off campus tend to remain loyal customers,” says Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the Central Avenue Business Improvement District. “Introduce students to the city, and you cement their connections to the area.”
All district businesses are invited to table at the event, and encouraged to bring coupons, gift certificates, and other incentives. Tabling is free for district members.
Additionally, the CBID will work with student services to try to sign businesses up with Off-Podium card accounts. Students can use their SUNYcards to purchase food and other goodies at participating off campus (or "Off Podium") locations. Currently, 35 businesses in Albany can take SUNYCards, including Central Avenue's own Ichiban Restaurant and Salsa Latina.
The CBID hopes to sign up more, and then introduce students to these businesses during their tour of the district. "Off-Podium accounts could be a great way to become part of students' lives and spending patterns," says Molly Belmont, CBID Marketing Specialist.
This event is a follow-up to last year’s wildly successful All Around Albany event in October, and the orientation event for Residential Assistants in August. "It's pretty cool to have so many different vendors here, and different things that I've never seen or heard of in the City of Albany before," said Colleen Kutney at the RA event in August. "Any new thing I can teach [freshmen], I'm all for it."
Us, too!
This event takes place Saturday, August 25 from 11:30am-3:30pm. For more information about how to participate, contact the CBID at 462-4300 or email molly@centralbid.com
