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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.3 Small Business Proclamation STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK File #1100-65 CITY COUNCIL DATE:November 3, 2015 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager SUBJECT: Update on 2015 Discover Dublin CA Campaign and Proclamation in Recognition of Small Business Saturday – November 28, 2015 Prepared by Erin Steffen, Management Analyst II EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will receive an update on the 2015 Discover Dublin CA campaign, which encouraged shopping Dublin businesses throughout the year. Additionally the City Council will issue a proclamation regarding Small Business Saturday on November 28, 2015. The national initiative’s goal is to support local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods around the country. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Costs associated with the Discover Dublin Shop Local campaign are included in the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the report and proclaim November 28, 2015 as Small Business Saturday in Dublin. 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. In 2015, the campaign was rebranded as “Discover Dublin CA” and expanded to a year-round effort to support Dublin-based businesses throughout the year. The City partners with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to maintain an active Facebook page, “Discover Dublin,” where it regularly promotes upcoming retail and business events and welcomes new businesses. In 2015, focused social media campaigns were delivered during ITEM NO. 4.3 Page 1 of 2 seasons associated with high volumes of retail, including: Restaurant Month and Valentine’s Day; graduation; and back-to-school. Additionally, during the 2014 holiday season, free promotional bags were distributed to Dublin businesses. Restaurant Month, in partnership with regional tourism destination group Visit Tri-Valley, utilized both Facebook and Twitter and included a promotion highlighting local wine served in Dublin restaurants during January 2015. Local restaurants were further promoted with the creation of Dublin’s first Dining Guide, which incorporates the new, branded platform and highlights the many types of cuisine available throughout Dublin. The City also worked with Visit Tri-Valley to launch a regional/national marketing campaign espousing the variety of retail opportunities available in Dublin. The 2015 campaign will conclude with promotion to encourage shopping in Dublin during the busy holiday season. The holiday promotion will include branded window clings to advertise participation in Small Business Saturday. The national Small Business Saturday campaign was founded by American Express in 2010 to encourage people to support small, local businesses. The event traditionally takes place on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and “Black Friday,” known as the first day of the busy holiday shopping season. According to an American Express survey, an estimated $14.3 billion was spent at small independent businesses during Small Business Saturday in 2014. In order to provide a range of educational resources, the City of Dublin, in partnership with the Small Business Administration, the Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton and the three respective Chambers of Commerce, organized and hosted the inaugural Tri-Valley Small Business Assistance Series. From May 2015 to October 2015, programs held throughout the Tri-Valley provided information and support to small businesses and startups throughout the region. On February 26, the City of Dublin and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce co-hosted the annual “Dublin Business Expo / Taste of Dublin.” Approximately 250 attendees visited over 50 local vendors and sampled food and drink from local eateries, wineries, and breweries. The City is also partnering with the Chamber to host the annual Real Estate Forum and Tour, scheduled to take place on November 10. The event will include a panel discussion about the impact of recent real estate legislation, a presentation on commercial and residential development taking place in Dublin, and a tour of developments and projects underway throughout the City. On October 2, Dublin celebrated local, modern manufacturing with participation in National Manufacturing Day. Dublin-based firms MicroDental Laboratories and AMP Printing provided tours which informed students, educators, and other interested attendees about rewarding, local career opportunities. Dublin has formed a new partnership with Google to host “Let’s Put Dublin on the Map!”, a series of interactive workshops that guide local businesses through the process of establishing and enhancing their online presence to attract customers. The first workshop is scheduled to take place on November 5 and will include a presentation of business resources available through the Dublin Library. Looking to 2016, the City will continue to provide support and bring resources to local businesses, to promote and expand existing programs and partnerships, and to promote the local economy where opportunities arise. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: None. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Small Business Saturday Proclamation 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 over 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, 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, Dave Haubert, Mayor of Dublin, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim November 28, 2015, 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 3, 2015 _____________________ _______________________ Mayor Haubert Vice Mayor Gupta ___________________ _____________________ ______________________ Councilmember Biddle Councilmember Hart Councilmember Wehrenberg