Less than three weeks previously, students and young professionals gathered at the Convention Center for the 2010 Young Creatives Summit to brainstorm ideas and vote on potential projects. These four ideas were voted as top priorities. The action plan launch provided the tools for participants to further develop the ideas.

The evening started with food and socializing among the volunteers, but updayton project lead Scott Murphy brought the meeting to a start slightly after 6 PM. Murphy welcomed participants, set the agenda for the evening, and challenged the groups to determine specific tasks which may move them toward meeting the greater goals. Murphy thanked the participants saying, “It’s one thing to go to the Summit and share your ideas, but it’s something more to say, ‘I want to be part of making these ideas a reality.’”

At the Street Buzz table volunteers sought out strategies to develop an exciting, fun urban atmosphere for young creatives in Dayton. Volunteers stressed a need to build a “critical mass” for existing events, but also discussed creating events of their own.

The volunteers wanting to strengthen Dayton’s neighborhoods highlighted the great history and character of our communities. Team members recognize the need to connect with neighborhood leaders and networks as an initial step, but also want to draw-in more neighborhoods to the “social networking of the region.”

The Greater Dayton Stories group focused on the need to dispel negative myths about downtown and other parts of the region. Near-term steps include reaching out to possible partners that could help them distribute the good stories they want to tell.

The Make Me Over, Dayton group sees vacant properties as possible assets, and plans to better connect local entrepreneurs with available spaces and other resources for starting a business. Volunteers also want to change perceptions of the local entrepreneurship climate. They plan to start small by highlighting an “entrepreneur of the month” on community forums like DaytonMostMetro.

Attendees realize that many regional organizations are currently working toward similar goals, and the updayton volunteers will be further researching those efforts. Every group cited research and teaming with area partners as a first step and top priority so as not to ‘re-invent the wheel.’ Last year’s Summit projects got off to a similar start, and led to renewed vibrancy between the Cannery and Oregon Arts District with the Wayne Ave. Group, and a comprehensive online magazine for the Dayton region with www.daytonmostmetro.com.