Chamber News Releases
Mar 2, 2022
OK We Got This - Love Local Campaign
March 2, 2022
MEDIA RELEASE
LOCAL CHAMBERS RAMP UP MESSAGE THAT IT’S TIME TO
SHOW LOCAL SOME LOVE
Seven chambers of commerce from Osoyoos in the south to Armstrong in the north have joined together to mount an unprecedented business promotion campaign aimed at consumers and residents of the valley just as we move into what we hope is the last phase of the Pandemic.
Focused on reinforcing the value of shopping local, the local business associations have partnered with community leaders on a multi-media campaign asking everyone, as we ease into summer and less restrictions, to Show Local Some Love by exploring and experiencing all that the valley has to offer.
The campaign acknowledges that consumers can make purchases with a click of a button but that doesn’t help local small businesses which are the backbone of our economy. When you shop local .60 cents of every dollar you spend stays and circulates in the local economy compared to just .14 cents when you purchase something online that comes from the other side of the planet. The campaign sends a strong message about the increasingly well-recognized benefits of supporting local businesses while showcasing some of the unique business and services we have in the Okanagan. Why shop with a foreign multi-national when you can find what you want just down the street.
Partnering with our collegial chambers up and down the valley, meant we could deliver a strong message over the winter months when tourism is generally at its lowest ebb, and shopping is also a bit quieter. The business associations taking part in the effort including Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber, Greater Vernon Chamber, Kelowna Chamber, Greater Westside Board of Trade, Peachland Chamber, Penticton and Wine Country Chamber and the South Okanagan Chamber. More information including links to local business directories and profiles of local businesses, is available at www.okanaganwegotthis.com
OK We Got This – Show Local Some Love initiative is made possible thanks to the support of the BC Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada.
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See next page for Chamber contacts and comments from partners.
QUOTES FROM COALITION PROGRAM PARTNERS
Patti Noonan, Executive Director, Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce
“This program is an opportunity for Chambers of Commerce throughout the Okanagan Valley to
show the combined reach we have in encouraging residents to shop local first.”
Dan Rogers, Executive Director, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
“Local small businesses have faced many challenges over the past two years and while many have shown their resiliency, their continued success is still critically linked to the decisions we make as local consumers. We can all make a difference by simply choosing to explore, experience and invest in the local entrepreneurs and innovators who call the Okanagan home.”
Heather Robinson, Executive Director, Greater Westside Board of Trade
“In times like this, shopping local can make all the difference in the world. It inspires local economic prosperity, creates jobs and supports local charities making differences in people’s lives everyday. By shopping local we can build community resiliency and pave path to recovery.”
Patrick Van Minsel, General Manager, Peachland Chamber of Commerce
"On behalf of my Board of Directors I would like to express their enthusiastic support for the OK
We Got That campaign, a shop-local program being promoted by the Regional Chamber
Coalition. This program promotes local businesses which are in desperate need of support from
our community, in order to get through (what hopefully will be) the final hurdle of the 2-year
long Covid pandemic. We also encourage all residents of our community to shop local when
considering their next purchase of the goods and services that we all depend upon. Please help
our businesses to continue to provide these services that we all have taken for granted –
together we will get through this!"
Diane Kereluk, Executive Director, Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce
“When you shop local, you are making a statement that says, ‘Yes, I love and want to support
my community,’ and by default you receive better and more personalized service, higher quality
goods and a friendly, familiar smile. The Okanagan is a great place to be; let’s show the love.”
Denise Blashko, Manager, South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce
“Supporting local businesses has always been important and now more than ever we encourage
everyone to take a second look at what we have to offer here in all areas of our beautiful
Okanagan region. Our collaborative promotional campaign with our regional Chamber network
aims to remind everyone that the more we keep our money circulating in our communities the
stronger we will be and the better quality of life we can create.”
CONTACTS FOR OKANAGAN CHAMBERS COVID RESPONSE COALITION MEMBERS
South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce
Denise Blashko, Manager
Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce
Diane Kereluk, Executive Director
Peachland Chamber of Commerce
Patrick Van Minsel, General Manager
Greater Westside Board of Trade
Heather Robinson, Executive Director
ExecutiveDirector@GWBoardOfTrade.Com
Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
Dan Rogers, Executive Director
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce
Dan Proulx, General Manager
Armstrong & Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce
Patti Noonan, Executive Director
FIVE REASONS TO SHOW OKANAGAN BUSINESSES SOME LOCAL LOVE
- Local Economic Stimulus. When you purchase at locally owned businesses more money is kept in the community because local businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and suppliers. When you show local some love 60 cents on each dollar you spend stays in the local economy compared to just 14 cents when you purchase something online from a multinational in another country.
- Local means Community Builders. Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners. Local businesses are managed by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the region’s welfare and future.
- Customer Service Is Better. Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. A better work environment leads to happier employees and happier employees provide better customer service.
- Competition and Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices. A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long term.
- Environmental Impact. Shopping local can connect us better with the source of where so many things we rely on come from. The more we can focus on our local economies, and source our products locally, the better we can connect with our neighbours while building more resilient communities.