Business owners and advocates know that local businesses are the heart of Seattle commerce. Promoting these businesses through a carefully implemented “Buy Local” campaign can drive traffic into neighborhood business districts and preserve the city’s best local vendors by creating a dynamic and invested community of shoppers.

On November 10th, Seattle’s Office of Economic Development will host a “Buy Local” marketing strategies workshop with presenter Jeff Milchen, a leading advocate for community-based businesses and co-founder of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). City Council President Richard Conlin, an avid supporter of buy local business campaigns, will deliver opening remarks.

Are you a leader in a local chamber or neighborhood business group? A small business owner passionate about promoting the idea of “Buy Local”? This seminar will show you how to fund, design, and execute a successful neighborhood “Buy Local” campaign by building a media presence, mastering website, database, and e-mail essentials, and making city government your ally.

The worshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room (new room!) at City Hall. RSVP by November 5th, 2009 to OED’s Danielle Hursh at 206-733-9254 or danielle.hursh@seattle.gov.

Download the “Buy Local” workshop flyer.