DIGITAL suggestion box Suggest it is set to search for more of Ballarat\u2019s Best Ideas.<\/p>\n
Last year the locally created platform crowd-sourced hundreds of positive and constructive suggestions from members of the community, also known as \u2018gurus,\u2019 about their visions to improve and engage local businesses and organisations, or involve them in an innovative project.<\/p>\n
Three groups received $500 to realise the public\u2019s winning ideas, as judged by city experts in economics and enterprise, and Suggest it\u2019s co-founders Ben Wearne and Nick Clare are ready to do it all again in a bigger, better way in 2022.<\/p>\n
From the busy Begonia Festival period until the Easter long weekend, they\u2019re encouraging residents, and visitors, especially young people, to share their actionable, innovative ideas to make the city\u2019s businesses, organisations, and the broader commercial community even better.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole campaign is underpinned by our digital suggestion box platform, which at any time of year anyone can give an idea for any local business or organisation, and that\u2019s sent through privately,\u201d Mr Clare said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have lots of QR codes popping up across the city over the coming weeks, so there\u2019s going to be lots of opportunities for people to snap those.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can head to the Suggest it website, find the Ballarat\u2019s Best Idea page, and quickly and easily put in an idea they\u2019ve come up with to enter the competition for 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n
In delivering the initiative, Suggest it is working with the City of Ballarat, Commerce Ballarat, the Committee for Ballarat, Runway, Federation University, and Ballarat Regional Tourism.<\/p>\n
With Crazy Ideas College on board the judging team this year, Suggest it has a goal to engage more young, energetic, thoughtful Ballarat people with the competition this time around.<\/p>\n
Prizes include a Ballarat weekend staycation, or escape, an Apple Watch and a Trek bike.<\/p>\n
Throughout the competition, the suggestion platform is also aiming to collect \u201cthe mood\u201d of visitors, and micro ideas for businesses like cafes, hotels, retail shops and events.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll take those insights to our partners at a macro level, and present what visitors to Ballarat are asking for and what their ideas are,\u201d Mr Clare said.<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of Ballarat\u2019s Best Ideas 2021, Plate Up Ballarat was supported to publish a cookbook showcasing the city\u2019s hospitality venues and chefs\u2019 best dishes.<\/p>\n
1816 Bakehouse was tasked with developing a weekly bread subscription and delivery service, while Haymes Paint Shop was to star in a Paint the City campaign, refreshing historic Sturt Street fa\u00e7ades.<\/p>\n