LOCO http://locobc.com Growing the Local Economy Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:05:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 LOCO First Tuesday Business Mixers http://locobc.com/2012/03/23/loco-first-tuesday-business-mixers-2/ http://locobc.com/2012/03/23/loco-first-tuesday-business-mixers-2/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:26:59 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=2544 Join us the 1st Tuesday of every month at our Business Mixer events. Each event, hosted by a LOCO member, is a unique opportunity to get to know the local businesses that make our region great. More info on events. 

April 3rd: Hosted by Dehoney Financial Group

May 1st: Hosted by Hastings Crossing BIA restaurants (Potluck Cafe & Catering, Bitter, Calabash & Wild Rice)

June 5th: Hosted by Recycling Alternative

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1% For the Planet member businesses on every continent give at least 1% of their top-line sales to charities and non-profits like ours who work for a better world. Check out 1% For the Planet and give back today.

]]> http://locobc.com/2012/03/23/loco-is-a-1-for-the-planet-approved-non-profit-partner/feed/ 0 Modo The Car Co-op Convoy adds Local Twist to LOCO Business Mixer http://locobc.com/2012/01/10/modo-the-car-co-op-convoy-adds-local-twist-to-loco-business-mixer/ http://locobc.com/2012/01/10/modo-the-car-co-op-convoy-adds-local-twist-to-loco-business-mixer/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:02:05 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=2332 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

VANCOUVER, Jan 10, 2012 – Today at 5:30pm, the cavalcade of vehicles departing from City Hall will not be filled with foreign dignitaries, but with a convoy of 6 Modo vehicles filled with far more local passengers.

The convoy is a massive carpool headed toward the monthly local business mixer at the Salt Spring Coffee’s Viking Roasting Facility and Education Centre in Richmond. It is just another way that LOCO BC, a Vancouver business organization that represents a growing alliance of local companies working to strengthen our communities, grow the local economy and build strong sustainable businesses, is bringing sustainability through partnership.

“We thought that the commute from Vancouver to Richmond was a great opportunity to partner with our members,” says Amy Robinson, Executive Director of LOCO. “When Modo stepped in to offer the vehicles for the convoy, it was a natural fit.

The car co-op convoy to the local business event is the first of its kind for Modo, and LOCO. “This is about local businesses stepping up to offer their unique strengths to one another, and having a fun time doing it,” explains Robinson. “Salt Spring Coffee is offering their space and their coffee, Modo is offering their cars, and others are offering food and door prizes in kind.  And everyone involved is able to showcase their best to the other business owners.”

Media are welcome at the Convoy departure and at the Salt Spring Island Coffee Mixer.

Details:

Modo Departure

Where: City Hall Parking lot at Northwest corner of 10th/Cambie

When: 5:30 pm

LOCO First Tuesday Business Mixer

Where: 3551 Viking Way, unit 105

When: 5:30-9pm

 

Media Contact:

Amy Robinson,

Executive Director, LOCO BC

amy@locobc.com; 604-351-1664

 

About LOCO:

LOCO BC supports a vibrant local economy through local purchasing, business connections and sustainability. Through monthly business mixers, members-only discounts, a soon-to-launch buy local campaign, and insurance and benefits plans for small businesses, LOCO strengthens individual member business and the entire Lower Mainland economy.

]]> http://locobc.com/2012/01/10/modo-the-car-co-op-convoy-adds-local-twist-to-loco-business-mixer/feed/ 0 Saul Good Gift Co.’s Amazing Local Suppliers http://locobc.com/2011/12/07/saul-good-gift-co-s-amazing-local-suppliers/ http://locobc.com/2011/12/07/saul-good-gift-co-s-amazing-local-suppliers/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:21:17 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=2192

Reposted From the Saul Good Blog “Stories from the Box”

If you missed our Holiday Mixer, check our schedule of events to attend one in 2012. And don’t miss your chance to give a gift box full of tasty local treats for Christmas. Contact Saul Good Gift Co.!

Guess Who’s Coming to Our LOCO Holiday Business Mixer?

Local business is about knowing your neighbours. When I moved to Vancouver in the fall of 2004 I connected with some remarkable people who knew the value of building a vibrant local business community. When LOCO BC emerged a couple years ago, I got involved right away. It has been an honour to invest time and energy into LOCO and watch it grow through collaborative efforts. Through this growth, LOCO has begun to draw a larger crowd of innovative business leaders and entrepreneurs.Tonight is a great opportunity to celebrate and connect with other like-minded folks in our community!

Over the last month we’ve been bringing together Vancouver’s finest locally owned producers, vintners, chefs and artisans to contribute to this years LOCO holiday party. Over the last 5 years, Saul Good has gotten to know the best of the best local suppliers through our gift basket business. We are looking forward to indulging in the delights served by these featured businesses.

  • We’ll Be Serving Handmade Local Treats

There will be phenomenal appetizers from Gone Crackers and Dundarave Olive Company. There will also be a wide selection of treats to keep your palate satiated: heavenly Parisian macarons from Kitchening With Carly, blissful confections by Cocolico (featuring their sweet & salty pretzel nut mix, drizzled in burnt caramel sauce).

  • We’ll Be Pouring Local Artisan Drinks

Our friends at the Pemberton Distillery kicked down their locally produced organic vodka and gin made from, you guessed it, local Pemberton organic potatoes. Wine from Clos du Soleil. For those of you who don’t want alcohol, SIP will be serving their superbly sophisticated soda.

  • Top 3 Reasons Why I Love Being LOCO
  1. I love Vancouver! This city is a hot bed for innovative entrepreneurs and unique small businesses. Our markets are full of talented artisans.
  2. It’s all about relationships. Business connections are good…But, it is much better to have connections derived from shared values for our local Vancouver community. We can see the big picture. It isn’t just about individual successes. It is about collective accomplishment.
  3. It’s fun.
]]> http://locobc.com/2011/12/07/saul-good-gift-co-s-amazing-local-suppliers/feed/ 0 LOCO/Buysmart local purchasing workshop http://locobc.com/2011/11/08/1840/ http://locobc.com/2011/11/08/1840/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:08:10 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=1840 Last week (October 27, 2011) we presented to a group convened by Buysmart, a program of the Fraser Basin Council focused on sustainable procurement. There was a diverse mix of attendees, including the government, labour, educational institutions and local businesses.

View the LOCO presentation below.

LOCO Presentation – Local Purchasing

Victoria Wakefield, Purchasing Manager from the University of British Columbia, gave an inspiring presentation on how local purchasing is possible, cost effective and efficient.
UBC Presentation – Delivering Sustainability

The biggest take-aways from the day for us are:
  • Trends in large organizations are moving to bundle contracts so that one supplier provides greater and more diverse goods. For instance, office supplies are bundled with office furniture and/or janitorial supplies. This denies access to small businesses that often specialize in one product or service.
  • Big organizations with government funding are afraid of trade regulations. Trade  regulations exist to allow access to many businesses. Purchasers can continue to use defensible criteria to select quality local businesses without fear of repercussion.
  • Small businesses have a limited capacity to respond to public bids. They are overwhelmed and can’t compete with bigger multinational organizations that have full-time staff devoted to the job. Streamlining the process is essential.
  • As a purchaser, you have immense power. Seek out available products and services, and work with existing suppliers (even multinationals) to require them to buy local.

Thanks to Shannon White for helping us put together the content on regulations and to Buysmart for partnering on this workshop. We’re talking to the Vancouver Economic Development Commission about how to support small businesses to increase competitiveness and reduce procurement barriers to local business.

]]> http://locobc.com/2011/11/08/1840/feed/ 0 LOCO First Tuesday Holiday Mixer Dec 6 http://locobc.com/2011/11/02/loco-first-tuesday-holiday-mixer-dec-6/ http://locobc.com/2011/11/02/loco-first-tuesday-holiday-mixer-dec-6/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:48:48 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=1816 Join us the 1st Tuesday of every month at our Business Mixer events. Each event, hosted by a LOCO member, is a unique opportunity to get to know the local businesses that make our region great. More info. 

December 6th: Holiday Party with Saul Good Gift Co. & Eclipse Awards. Get tickets.

January 10th: Hosted by Salt Spring Coffee Co.

]]> http://locobc.com/2011/11/02/loco-first-tuesday-holiday-mixer-dec-6/feed/ 0 First Tuesday with PacBlue Printing http://locobc.com/2011/10/18/first-tuesday-with-pacblue-printing/ http://locobc.com/2011/10/18/first-tuesday-with-pacblue-printing/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:50:14 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=1727 Join us the 1st Tuesday of every month at our Business Mixer events. Each event, hosted by a LOCO member, is a unique opportunity to get to know the local businesses that make our region great. More info 

November 1st: Hosted by PacBlue Printing

December 6th: Holiday Party with Saul Good Gift Co. & Eclipse Awards

January 10th: Hosted by Salt Spring Coffee Co.

 

 

 

 

]]> http://locobc.com/2011/10/18/first-tuesday-with-pacblue-printing/feed/ 0 First Tuesday LOCO Business Mixers http://locobc.com/2011/09/26/first-tuesday-loco-business-mixers/ http://locobc.com/2011/09/26/first-tuesday-loco-business-mixers/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 03:59:48 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=1719 We’re launching a new series of events hosted by our members. Think factory, store and warehouse tours with good company, local food, drinks and discussion. It’s a chance for our members to get to know each other, strengthen community and leverage our network to support a stronger local economy.

Here’s how the schedule for 2011/2012 is shaping up.

November 1st: Hosted by PacBlue Printing. Register to join us here.

Learn more about PacBlue before the event: read their LOCO member profile, and check out this video highlighting their strengths and diversity.

PacBlue_Printing_About_Us
PacBlue_Printing_About_Us

December 6th: Holiday Party, hosted by Saul Good Gift Co. and Eclipse Awards in their shared downtown Vancouver warehouse.

Jan 10th: Salt Spring Coffee.

Feb 7th: TBA

Mar 6th: TBA

Apr 3rd: TBA

May 1st: TBA

June 5th: Recycling Alternative (TBC)

Members – if you’d like to host an event, please contact us.

]]> http://locobc.com/2011/09/26/first-tuesday-loco-business-mixers/feed/ 0 Join Us Tonight! http://locobc.com/2011/06/01/join-us-tonight/ http://locobc.com/2011/06/01/join-us-tonight/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:06:33 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=1660

LOCO Mixer and Game 1 Viewing Tonight at Commune Cafe!

Join us for fun, good food & drinks, great company, local business talk and Game 1 of supporting our team to victory!

Wear your colours and join us tonight 5-7:30pm. Stay if the game goes late. Tickets here.

]]> http://locobc.com/2011/06/01/join-us-tonight/feed/ 2 Join Us – Spring 2011 Membership Drive! http://locobc.com/2011/04/21/join-us-spring-2011-membership-drive/ http://locobc.com/2011/04/21/join-us-spring-2011-membership-drive/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:28:21 +0000 amy http://locobc.com/?p=1515 All of us here at LOCO are excited to announce our 2011 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE. We’ve built a solid base of member benefits, and now we want YOU to join us!

Local businesses and consumers continually state their interest in being able to identify who is local when they spend money or source suppliers. LOCO is creating a business network and member profile pages to allow them to do just that.

Local Companies. We are Stronger Together

LOCO works to connect, promote and advocate for local businesses. Our bias for local is based on the principals of sustainability. Local businesses reduce product miles, enhance our community, connect and support us socially, and enhance wealth and employment.

Join LOCO today and receive these and more benefits of membership:

  • promotion on our website
  • discounts from other members
  • connection to current issues, the local movement and other members through our networking events (launching June 2011)

Be Among the Founding 200

Our goal is to reach 200 members by September 2011. As an incentive to join now, our first members will receive and expanded “member profile” in our business marketplace. Check out our sample member profile pages here. Invite other businesses you know to join too!

Join Today. Invest in your business, support your community, and grow BC’s economy.

Sara Blenkhorn is working with LOCO to make sure local businesses are aware of the benefits of joining. She will be following up by email and phone with potential members.

Sincerely,

Amy Robinson

info@locobc.com

604-351-1664

 

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