This past summer the Chamber successfully applied for funds to support economic recovery from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and Kawarthas Northumberland Regional Tourism Organization through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Print, radio and digital campaigns will take a 3-phase approach starting with marketing to locals and neighbouring communities, followed by regional markets, and a modified campaign to GTA and Ontario markets.
The Shop Local campaign will use existing ‘Buy Smart, Buy Local’ branding. The goal is to educate residents on the importance of shopping local as well as the breadth of goods and services available in Trent Hills and overcome objections/misconceptions about shopping local. The Canada United campaign will run in tandem until the end of August, with the Buy Smart Buy Local campaign continuing into the fall.
A local ambassador campaign will encourage residents to become ‘brand ambassadors’ for Trent Hills by welcoming visitors to the area who also support our local businesses.
Campaign strategies include reassurance that health and safety protocols are in place that visitors must follow personally, businesses have protocols in place as well, and visitor amenities are available such as public toilets. Most visitors are nice folks from nearby areas who have chosen to spend a day in our area, which helps our local economy.
The second part of this campaign is to encourage Trent Hills ‘staycation’ experiences for residents to then share on social media as part of the ambassador program.
Thank you to the many businesses that have already volunteered to participate in one of our campaigns. To date there are 68 businesses/organizations featured in either a video, radio or print campaign. Chamber staff are working with local service providers to create more opportunities for you to participate, if you haven’t signed up already contact the Chamber office to join the effort.
The Chamber is getting back to a more typical routine with Board and committee meetings resuming. What does economic recovery from COVID-19 mean in Trent Hills? This is the question that will be top of mind going forward.
Members Only meetings with elected officials will begin and a series of online seminars and workshops are scheduled. This has been a difficult time for everyone. I admire and respect the efforts that each of you are taking to continue to deliver the goods and services you provide to the community of Trent Hills and beyond. Thank you for supporting the Chamber, now more then ever, we need to work together so everyone can thrive.
– Lori Schuett, Chair