Finding a fresh perspective
on your community
Overview
What do first-time visitors see when they visit your community? What impressions do they take away after a day of shopping, house-hunting, or scouting possible locations for business? The Community Swap program allows a community to "swap" information and perceptions with another commuinty. Teams of visitors "swap" communities for a day-long visit, where they pose as tourists, prospective business owners, relocating families or out-of-town shoppers. The teams visit downtowns, business districts, community entrances, neighborhoods, parks, and other public places. Each team shares its objective impressions of the host community, describing the features which were most attractive and offering suggestions for improvement. Community Swap helps communities see themselves as others do. The process helps each community establish priorities for enhancing its image and development.
A program by University of Illinois Extension