Elevator Speech

Envision Maryville Elevator Speech Compilation

August 20, 2015
Summary by Bob Adamcik,
adamcikb@pobox.com,
(865) 249-9109

Conclusion: The statements all contained great thoughts and perspectives. The concern is
that there was no readily identifiable statement of a common identity or mission. its there, but
you have to dig for it. Also, in general, there was no common or specific action statement, i.e.,
this is what we are doing. If we want a statement to be effective, it should be both informative
AND a call to arms. Come join us!
Reviewing all of our statements and breaking them apart led me to think a lot about this. I now
suggest we want a speech that is brief and to the point, yet opens the door to questions and
discussion. I suggest four parts, and in the following order. (And yes, on this basis, it would
probably be four sentences!).
(1) Who or what are we?
(2) Why are we? What is our reason for coming together?
(3) What is our alternative vision?
(4) What are we doing about it?
Keep in mind it should be conversational, not stilted or full of jargon. How would you say it to
someone over a beer or in a brief meeting (e.g., yes, on an elevator)? Would they would want
to continue the discussion?
Challenge: Any of you want to put your heads together and come up with a next draft? As
promised, I will do so as well. But it wouldnt hurt to have two or three next drafts.

Individual Statements:

(1) This is a group of people who are all interested in painting a vision for Maryville, a destination
community filled with locally owned business in a town filled with cafes, galleries, outdoor art, music,
bicycles and walkers. There are carve out neighborhoods focused on community, cooperative
consumption and sustainable lifestyles. Change is going to occur so we would like to allow this
positive vision to take hold in the minds and spirits of the residents in order for it to be fulfilled in our
changed-reality.
(2) Our group is one of concerned Blount County citizens who although witnessing both strong economic
and population growth see a measurable decrease in livability. Our unsustainable infrastructure and
natural surroundings are failing in our schools, roads, downtown buildings, exiting stores, the mall,
increasing county debt and in the pollution of our rivers and mountains. We see the core issue as
suburbanization with little or no regard to planning or revitalization of our long and existing heritage.
(3) By Design Not Default (OR INSERT NEW NAME) is a group of individuals who are concerned about
the future growth and direction of development in Blount County. We are committed to creating an
intentional, thoughtful, supportive and thriving community that is people centered, with an emphasis
on supporting our local business economies and identifying new opportunities for growth. BDND will
serve as the nucleus for connecting, creating and cultivating new ideas and inspiring action for a
better Blount County.
(4) We are a group of people interested in helping Maryville grow into a sustainable and livable
community. Its going to grow, regardless, but we want that growth to be by design, not by some
unplanned, economically-driven default. We used the goals of an existing development plan for East
Tennessee to create a vision for Maryville that includes an entrepreneurial economy, transportation
choices, affordable housing, a local food and arts culture, and a clean, enjoyable environment.
(5) We are a group of concerned, civic-minded individuals who have emerged as a liaison between the
citizens and local government to help form a long-term plan for Maryville. Our interests are in keeping
and attracting individuals in the area who want a quaint yet progressive city. As a citizen advisory
board, we bring the voice of the people to the local government to facilitate actionable results in
planning the citys future.
(6) By Design Not Default is made up of a diverse group of local community members that desires to
facilitate and strategically impact both short and long term growth and change here in Maryville. We
will be involved with current and ongoing issues that affect Maryville and its citizens as well as
developing and implementing,by design, community minded action that will address the change that
is sure to come to our wonderful city.
(7) We are a grassroots organization connecting folks who are passionate about actively creating the
community we want to live in, contribute to, and share with others. We are creating an environment
to dream big, make positive connections, and bring great ideas into fruition in our community. We are
adapting & building upon the road-map of PlanET, envisioning & outlining a resilient future for our
community and collectively determining how to implement these visions for Maryville.
(8) and for extra credit, here's an adaptation directly from PlanET; We aim to make Maryville a
community of choice & opportunity by virtue of our exceptional quality of life, scenic natural beauty,
unique cultural heritage, healthy people and places, strong institutions, talented workforce,
entrepreneurial spirit, and prosperous economy.

Compiled elevator speeches, page 3

Frequency of Terms in Elevator Speeches

Term or Phrase
Planning

Terms I Combined as
Synonymous
Planning, PlanET,
strategic, design, etc.

Total
Times Mentioned
12

Community

10

Maryville and/or
Blount County

10

Our group identity

group of people,
individuals, citizens,
grassroots organization,
etc.

10

Change

change, growth,
direction, etc

Issues and concerns

issues, concerns, debt,

infrastructure,
suburbanization,
affordable housing, etc

Local resources and/

or heritage

Natural environment,
scenic, outdoors, rivers,
mountains, culture,
heritage, etc.

Vision

Vision, ideas

Livability

Livability, live, quality of

life, etc

Economy

Local

local, locally-owned

Action

action, actionable,
impact, etc

Sustainability

sustain, sustainability

Transporatation

walk/bike, transportation
choices

Comment

Compiled elevator speeches, page 4

Other Terms (used only once or twice)

Nouns

Adjectives

Verbs

connections

cooperative

contribute

choice

resilient

share

opportunity

healthy

people

entrepreneurial

places

civic-minded

workforce

intentional

destination

thoughtful

galleries/art

people-centered

music

connecting

cafes

creating

neighborhoods

cultivating
quaint
progressive
affordable

Statements of Identity (We are ) (Note, paraphrased)

a grassroots organization connecting, creating,adapting and building
a group of people who are interested in painting a visionallow positive change
a group of concerned citizens who are witnessing growth, but who see issues and concerns
a group of individuals who are concerned about the futurecommitted to creatingidentifying
opportunitiesserve as nucleus
a group of people interested in helping Maryville growcreate a vision
a group of concerned individuals who emerged as a liaison b/t citizens and governmenta
citizen advisory boardvoice of the people
a group of community members that desires to facilitate and impactinvolved with issues
developing and implementing