by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Q: What do you get when you combine Southern charm with experience in promoting the positive effects of urban revitalization?
A: Pamela Elms, Downtown Vision, Inc.’s new director of marketing.
A Brooklyn native, she grew up in Gainesville, Ga. and graduated from the University of Georgia. She worked in Washington as a legislative advisor in the office of the Congressman from her home district, then began her career in public relations and marketing.
In the past 10 years, she has worked on projects ranging from promoting companies that were part of the dot-com boom to helping launch Cingular Wireless.
Elms said she’s excited about taking over the post at DVI because Downtown Jacksonville reminds her of Baltimore’s urban core. She was on staff at a public relations firm that marketed the city’s National Historic Seaport and Lexington Market.
“Jacksonville and Baltimore are very similar. I jumped at the chance to be part of the progress of a city again.”
Elms learned some things in Baltimore that she believes can also be effective in enhancing Downtown’s riverfront, particularly the power of future partnerships between DVI, the City and the stakeholders.
“We all share a common interest in the goal of revitalizing Downtown. We have to find ways to maximize our efforts,” she said.
Elms recalled one time when a small change had a major impact on the locals’ awareness of Lexington Market, Baltimore’s fresh produce, seafood and specialty market that’s home to more than 80 vendors.
“One of the things we did was relocate a parade route to come through the main street (of the market). How much money does that cost? Not very much and it’s a smart move. It was just a matter of sitting down and working with the city’s special events department,” she said.
Elms said she has set some goals and the first one she mentioned was to bring more people Downtown.
“We have Art Walk and it is very successful. We have to create other types of experiences and pull things together that happen at different places. DVI is in a position to bring people together, so we’ll be creating events and making it easier for more of them to experience Downtown. We also have to make sure we’re getting the message out about all the things there are to do here.”
Elms said she has learned a lot about Downtown in the two weeks she has been at DVI, but she realizes there is a lot more to discover.
“There’s definitely a learning curve, but I’ve hit the ground running.”