She said an idea of Mr Engwicht's, that stuck out for her, was the suggestion that Carterton could be a place that gave people a particular feeling that they wouldn't get in other towns.
"It's not a location - it's a feeling that you create," she said.
Mr Engwicht told locals that building an interesting town was about creating a point of difference or an experience that was unique, and that this could be achieved with more ease than people might suspect.
Ideas he gave included placing a piano on the street for people to stop and play or a giant chess board so that people could stop for a game, but Mrs Greathead said that his main aim was to spark retailers into small scale action in their own retail areas.
Greg Lang, a member of Carterton District Business Incorporated, said the evening was an overwhelming success.
The meeting made him recognise the importance of people helping each other to make their CBD shops more vibrant and inviting.
"When someone stops to buy clothes, you might also direct them to the shoe store - and then when they go to the shoe store they get a voucher for a coffee shop."
"We're all in it together ... it's all about street presence," he said.
A Facebook page has been created called Place Making Carterton where Carterton people have been sharing some of their ideas. "This is going to be a brilliant evening and the beginning of revitalising Carterton." said one poster. "Very inspiring night, look forward to seeing exciting changes in Carterton. I am going to have at least one drink with friends on my front lawn this weekend."
"A resounding success - if you weren't able to attend last night, but want to find out more about how Placemaking Carterton can change the town, come and talk to the CDBI team or drop us a line via Facebook!"
Mr Engwicht will be back in Carterton in six weeks to check on retailers' progress and re-score their shop's "street presence".
