LoCo BC Growing the Local Economy

Harnessing the Power of Local: Positioning Your Local Businesses to Thrive
in a Shaky Economy

A Bad Model...A Local Solution
As financial and economic systems in Canada and elsewhere imploded in the last year,
the media called it “the end of capitalism”. The crisis has also signaled a fundamental
values shift, as consumers and business owners questioned an economic model spinning
out of control. Emerging from this crisis can mean something other than going back to
the old system. We can create a new economic model – one that respects vital
resources, creates wealth for communities and turns a profit.

Your local business is part of the solution. A local business spends locally more often (2-5
times) than a chain store, creating a ripple effect that results in greater wealth for the
community. Consumers and businesses increasingly seek out local food and locally
owned businesses because they want to shop with businesses and suppliers they know
and trust. It makes sense and it’s more fun.

Support for Local

Come celebrate the launch of LoCo BC, a new business network working to create a
diverse, vibrant local economy by strengthening small and mid-sized businesses,
connecting and having fun in the process. We’re not saying we should make cars or
computers in Vancouver, but we want to educate consumers and businesses about why
it’s important to buy products and services from locally-owned companies whenever
possible.

Join Us!

This event will briefly introduce you to LoCo BC’s plans to drive local purchasing and
support local businesses. Then we will focus on supporting local businesses to thrive and
grow with the effective use of branding and new media tools.

Kierstin Dewest of Conscientious Innovation (Ci), a sustainability marketing firm and think
tank, will draw on Ci’s annual survey of 5,000 North American consumers to highlight why
local is an important and authentic brand advantage for your business. Ci has extensive
experience with integrity brands® globally and at home – Worldchanging, Nike, SPUD,
Novex, and UBC to name a few.

Robert Ouimet of Bigsnit Media Consulting will illustrate how digital media (websites,
blogs, Twitter, Facebook) can be used effectively to drive sales and create brand lift.
Robert will explain how a merger of your online business presence with your core business
is necessary for most businesses to keep up with technology, keep flexible enough to
avoid a website revamp every two years, and keep it manageable with limited time and
budget. Robert has worked in digital publishing with clients like the CBC, Biovia organic
distributors, and VANOC’s collaborate art project CODE.

Tickets: $20 at http://thepoweroflocal.eventbrite.com
Appetizers will be provided. Cash bar.

Thanks to VANCITY for your generous support of this event.