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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.1 Shop Local Holiday Campaign or 19 82 STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK ` CITY COUNCIL File #1100-80 DATE: November 4, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager " SUBJECT: Update on Shop Local Holiday Campaign and Proclamation in Recognition of Small Business Saturday - November 29, 2014 Prepared by Shari Jackman, Administrative Analyst 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will receive an update on this year's Shop Local Holiday Campaign which, in partnership with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, will encourage shopping throughout Dublin during the holidays. Staff will also briefly highlight upcoming 2015 efforts to promote the Discover Dublin Shop Local campaign. Additionally, the City Council will issue a proclamation regarding Small Business Saturday on November 29, 2014. The national initiative's goal is to support those local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods around the country. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Costs associated with the execution of the Shop Local — "Discover Dublin for the Holidays" Campaign are included in the Fiscal Year 2014-15 budget. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the report and proclaim November 29, 2014, as Small Business Saturday in Dublin. r . Submitted by Reviewed By Economic Development Director/ Assistant City Manager Public Information Officer DESCRIPTION: In 2011, the City partnered with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and launched "Discover Dublin for the Holidays," a social media-based campaign to encourage and increase shopping throughout the City of Dublin during the holidays. The campaign is now in its fourth year, and the Chamber continues to utilize the Shop Local Holiday Campaign's Facebook page to promote businesses to Dublin residents. The Facebook Page 1 of 2 ITEM NO. 3.1 page, www.facebook.com/discoverdublin, with more than 740 "likes," promotes businesses that are participating in the campaign by posting their business profile, photos, as well as store promotions and events. Subscribers to the campaign's Facebook page are then notified of the recent updates. For the 2014 campaign, the City mailed letters to Dublin restaurants and other businesses, notifying them of the campaign and encouraging their participation. Participating businesses were provided Shop Local posters for their storefronts, and business cards for their patrons to encourage additional visitors to the Facebook page. An addition to the program this year is "Discover Dublin" shopping bags (Attachment 2). Local businesses are encouraged to give customers their purchased merchandise in specially-designed "Discover Dublin" shopping bags. This will allow merchants and shoppers to show their support of the Shop Local program. This shopping bag program kicks off on Small Business Saturday, November 29. Small Business Saturday is a national initiative that began in 2010 to help small businesses gain exposure during the busiest shopping period of the year — the period following Thanksgiving, which includes shopping days known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize small, independently-operated businesses. Supporting small businesses is a high priority for the City Council, and Staff will continue to work actively to support our local businesses. Future efforts to expand the promotion of our Dublin-based businesses beyond the holiday season are planned. In an effort to continue to attract support for these businesses throughout the year, several social media campaigns are scheduled for 2015. The Facebook page will be renamed as "Discover Dublin! Shop Local," instead of "Discover Dublin for the Holidays" Plans include the promotion of January's statewide "Restaurant Month" program, with a focus on Dublin restaurants and dining options. In February, in coordination with local Visit Tri-Valley efforts, Staff will promote Dublin as a site for "Romancing the Arts." Plans also include a "Spring/Graduation" focused campaign, as well as a "Back to School" shopping program in the summer. The 2015 year will conclude with another "Discover Dublin for the Holidays" effort. Staff believes this year-round campaign will engage a broad variety of merchants and residents in supporting local businesses. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: N/A ATTACHMENTS: 1. Small Business Saturday Proclamation 2. Photo of Shopping Bags Page 2 of 2 A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF DUBLIN,CALIFORNIA "SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY" WHEREAS, the City of Dublin believes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the glue that holds communities together;according to the United States Small Business Administration,there are nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States and they represent more than 99 percent of American companies,create two-thirds of the net new jobs,and generate half of private gross domestic product;and WHEREAS,small businesses employ over 50%of the working population in the United States;and WHEREAS, 93% of U.S. consumers believe its important to support the local small businesses that they value in their community,and 89%agree that locally-owned,independent businesses contribute positively through taxes and jobs;and WHEREAS, the City of Dublin supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy, and preserve our neighborhoods;and WHEREAS, advocacy groups and public and private organizations across the country have endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday. NOW, THEREFORE,I,Tim Sbranti,Mayor of Dublin,on behalf of the entire City Council,do hereby proclaim November 29, 2014,as"SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY"and urge the residents of our community,and communities across the country,to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. DATED: November 4, 2014 Mayor ranti Vice Mayor Biddle Councilmember Hart Councilmember Haubert Councilmember Gupta r ... the HolidaYs ..' Fta'iYtiyB "w,�.{u book.camldiscwerdublin �$n s'