TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear a presentation regarding a new Shop Local Initiative and possibly take action on approval of the program. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The Shop Local Campaign is a multi-year campaign initiative to stem retail leakage by raising community-wide awareness of the many benefits of shopping locally and encouraging residents to think Maricopa first. The following are a few ways shopping locally benefits Maricopa residents and the community:
1. Supports Maricopa businesses
2. Keeps dollars in the local economy
3. Builds a strong community
4. Creates jobs and wealth
5. Encourages entrepreneurship
6. Sales tax dollars’ fund community services
Staff is proposing a new initiative, funded with existing advertising budget dollars, that will run from October 5th to December 29th 2016. Kicking-off at the 2016 State of the City
Program Details
The 2016 Shop Local Campaign will engage the business community and residents through a hands on activity called “Copa Bing.”
Why Bingo format
• High Probability of Community and Business Engagement.
• Easy Tracking of Participation.
• Ability to Have Broad Business Categories
• It’s FUN!
Participants enter via social and/or drop off at community ambassador locations
• Copper Sky
• MCE
• Maricopa Chamber of Commerce
• City Hall
• CAC
• High School
• Province
• Maricopa Library
Prizes
• Drawings occur every two weeks during the campaign
• Gift Cards from local businesses
• Bi-weekly prizes $50 cards (Five total)
• Grand prize $250 card
• Blackout prize (full bingo card): Breakfast with the Mayor
• Soliciting businesses to donate items for weekly drawings
Marketing & Promotion
• Billboard
• Print Advertising
• Heavy social media
• Email campaigns
• Direct mail to businesses
• Signage
• HOA presentations
• Why Shop Local - Video Series Featuring Mayor and Council
• Community Ambassadors
Staff will also host a series of three Shop Local meetings to engage commercial and home-based businesses. Businesses will learn about the benefits of shopping local and will receive a Copa Bingo Business Kit. The kit will contain: signage, shop local stamp, instructions, Copa Bingo cards and a poster to display if offering discounts to Copa Bingo Participants.
The three Shop Local meetings are scheduled for the following dates. Information will be mailed to local businesses, shared in the monthly Maricopa Matters e-newsletter, and posted to the City website and Maricopa Matters Facebook page:
• September 13 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
• September 20 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
• September 127from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
This item will be presented by Economic Development Specialist Ms. Dorothy Wolden.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Mayor and City Council receive this presentation and ask any applicable questions regarding the Shop Local Campaign.