TROY>> On Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 8:30 a.m. in the Frear Building (corner of Fulton and Third Streets), the Downtown Troy BID’s Business Development and Retention Committee will present a Business Boot Camp class with special guest Mark Shipley, cofounder and strategy director of the marketing firm Smith & Jones.

Under Jones’ direction the firm has received the Best of Show in the Healthcare Advertising Award, as well as being recognized by The Aster Awards, the American Marketing Association, One Club, New York Festivals, and The London International Awards. He is a recipient of the Capital District YMCA’s Presidents Award.

Jones is a frequent guest lecturer on brand building at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lally School of Management and the Executive MBA program at The University at Albany.

In one hour the class will address marketing strategies to help businesses and entrepreneurs in promoting their products and businesses to Troy BID and city events.