Village Merchants Association ‘really upped our event count,’ annual report says

Events have proved to be a powerful tool for the La Jolla Village Merchants Association this year and will continue to be a focus in the coming year, according to the group’s annual report.

Executive Director Jodi Rudick gave the report at LJVMA’s meeting Aug. 13, outlining whether and how the board met the goals of its strategic plan, which is drafted every December. Although the year is not over, the annual report is given around this time.

Leading the association’s list of accomplishments were some events the group either organized or supported, according to the report.

“This year, we really upped our event count and did eight different [major] events, not to mention the partnerships we have,” Rudick said.

In addition to annual events such as the Views of Nowruz Persian New Year festival that sold out the past two years, LJVMA holds monthly and quarterly events, many of which have seen increased attendance, Rudick said.

Monthly networking events average “about 50 members, an 82% increase over the previous year,” she said.

The monthly First Friday Art Walk has grown “by leaps and bounds,” Rudick said, with 24 galleries participating consistently and public attendance increasing.

“Those are the kinds of things we want to continue doing,” she said.

Going forward, Rudick said, there is a possibility of bringing back a reward program for those who attend events or shop at local businesses. Previously, LJVMA sponsored a “La Jolla-lty card” with discounts at various establishments.

“People would be motivated [to visit The Village] by having some kind of loyalty program or locals program, so that is something we are looking to dust off … and see if that can be used as a promotional tool,” Rudick said.

Other LJVMA news

Police practices: As part of its Community Spotlight series, the board heard from Darlanne Hoctor Mulmat, District 1 member of the San Diego Commission on Police Practices, who explained its mission and process.

“The Commission on Police Practices is an investigatory body independent from the mayor, the police chief and the Police Department,” she said. “We are supposed to look at what the police are doing, investigate complaints, review policies and … audit what they do.”

The mission, Hoctor Mulmat said, “is to hold police accountable” and “make the relationship between the community and the police better. … That creates safety for everyone.”

The commission has 25 members: one from each of the nine City Council districts, nine at-large members, five from low- to moderate-income areas and two youth representatives. Service on the commission includes two meetings a month that last about three hours each, plus committee meetings and case reviews.

The commission just closed nominations for existing vacancies, but anyone interested in learning more or joining the commission when there is a vacancy can visit sandiego.gov/cpp.

Next meeting: The La Jolla Village Merchants Association next meets at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Learn more at lajollabythesea.com.