Growing the Local Economy
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
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.
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.
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.!
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.
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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:
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
