The “Go Local” Passport Program is a new initiative seeking to draw customers into downtown through use of a map that participating merchants stamp upon customer presentation/redemption."Go Local" is a project conceived by members of the Leadership 2007 Class, a thirteen-week program sponsored by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and Pacific Lutheran University. Selection and completion of a group project is required to graduate from the class.
Passports will be distributed to the public at the kick-off party on May 17th. Additional passports will be made available to the public through participating merchants all summer long. Fully completed passports (stamped by each business listed) will be collected through October 18th and then entered into a prize drawing.
The members of the Leadership 2007 class that created the "Go Local" Passport Program:
- Pam Brewer, Franciscan Health System
- Christina Kitchens, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
- Donna Miller, Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co.
- David Printz, The Gurus
- Jean Smith, Venture Bank
- Carol Young, United Way of Pierce County
This is a great program.
ReplyDeleteIt is a page out of the book:
The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition
It would be great if this group could both add extra valaue through a "buy local" program and have resources for small businesses to plan and start a business in Tacoma. Some of this information could be on their web page. A Mentor Program would be good too.
Large international companies already have skilled marketing folks. Small businesses need a bit of assistance to level the playing field.