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March 08, 2008
B.A.N.A.N.A. Activism Tops N.I.M.B.Y. Syndrome In Battle To Stop New Development
"The BANANA Proof Your Project™ Seminar Arms Professionals with New Tools & Techniques to Win the Land Use Debate.
Tallahassee, FL (PRWEB) February 25, 2008 -- National polls have shown more than 75 percent of Americans both oppose new development and believe the system currently favors developers over citizens. The statistics empower an oppositional force that's more intense, prevalent and divisive than the traditional Not-In-My-back-Yard (NIMBY) syndrome. According to Patrick Slevin, creator of the BANANA Proof Your Project™ seminar, misinformed homeowners shouting NIMBY are being supplemented and replaced by enterprising special interests voicing Build-Absolutely-Nothing-Anywhere-Near-Anyone (B.A.N.A.N.A.) protests at city hall, in the daily newspapers and increasingly, at the ballot box.
"Over the last few years, I have observed our country gradually transition from being a NIMBY Nation to a BANANA Republic. BANANA activism has less to do with stopping unchecked growth and more to do with promoting the agenda of special interests. Nevertheless, this wave of local activism jeopardizes the future approval of countless projects already fighting the odds in a weakened economy," said Patrick Slevin, president of the Slevin Group, a public relations practice specializing in winning approval for controversial land use projects. "The BANANA Proof Your Project™ seminar is the first of its kind, offering professionals across the country the tools and techniques necessary to win land use debates. It is timely, because we need more professionals who know how to deal with public angst stirred up by anti-development activism."
BANANA Proof Your Project™ is a half-day seminar offering land use professionals long-term success in winning the public debate. The program covers an array of topics:
Avoid the 10 Most Common Mistakes Made By Applicants
How to Turn the Community Grapevine Into an Informational Tool
Overcoming BANANA Attacks Against Vertical/Horizontal Development
Why You Need to Conduct Political Due Diligence: Ignorance is Not Bliss
Establishing New Communications Channels to Reach Public Officials
Classifying Your Potential Opposition
Recruiting the Best Allies: Successfully Managing Your Surrogate Network
Integrating Strategic Outreach P.L.A.N.™ (Political, Legal, Allies, NIMBYists)
Grassroots Outreach Tools and Techniques that Educate Homeowners, Marginalize Activists, and Defeat Ballot Box NIMBYism™
Word-of-Mouth Tactics that Silence Vocal Special Interests
The Secrets to Effective Consensus Building and Dispute Resolution
The seminar presents proven knowledge capital benefiting a diverse audience of stakeholders to include developers, builders, investors, project managers, attorneys, brokers, planners, political and public relations consultants, and public officials. See the attached flyer for more information.
Spread the word! This first of its kind half-day seminar is suited for associations, continued education, and corporate training. To learn more about Mr. Slevin's presentation fees and consulting services, call 850.906.9888 or email pslevin @ slevingroup.com.
About Patrick Slevin:
Patrick Slevin is highly-sought consultant and speaker presenting over 12 years of experience in winning high profile, controversial public campaigns. During his career, Mr. Slevin has developed an impressive portfolio in C-Suite counseling, strategic development, crisis management, political communications, ballot box NIMBYism, issues advocacy, and grassroots campaigns. Mr. Slevin, a former mayor of Safety Harbor, Florida, is founder of the Slevin Group, a public relations practice headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida.
Mr. Slevin has partnered with Washington DC based public relations firm Strat@comm, a Fleishman Hillard company.
For more information, please visit www.SlevinGroup.com.
Posted by Industrial-Manufacturing at March 8, 2008 02:48 AM