The #shoplocal movement has come a long way - so much that we hardly question it anymore. We know it's a good thing, but why? When it comes to your special event, here are five great reasons why keeping your vendors close to home is ideal.
1. Local Character, Prosperity & Well-Being
When you use local shops and suppliers for event planning, it really does add a special element to your event. By engaging the community you are asking support from - whether that is fundraising, attendance, or awareness - investing in the businesses arounds you fosters their investment in your event or project. By continuing and strengthening your local business relationships, you’re helping local communities remain strong and keep their businesses alive - avoiding the transition into big box stores, strip malls, and impersonal options.
2. Dollars & Decision Making
By contributing to the chain of local resources and keeping your dollars local, you’re supporting
businesses and people in your community who may not even be directly involved in your event.
By contributing to a local economy, you create a positive impact on the people around you.
Supporting the livelihoods of others means that they have the means to support yours.
3. Entrepreneurship
Perhaps you are on the business side of event planning - you have services to offer rather than services
to retain. "Loving the local" still holds true. Connecting and investing in your own backyard gives you
the opportunity as a business to bring local people on as employees. This might give them a chance to
break free from mundane low-wage positions that may fulfill them more, in addition to fulfilling
your needs as a business and the community's needs as a micro-economic machine.
4. Environmental Sustainability
Not only does the use of local resources over others improve the community you are in, it's just plain
better for the world! It is SO easy to go green - even just a little green makes a huge difference, and
cutting out the transportation costs of outside food and supplies can really affect your footprint
(and your budget!).
better for the world! It is SO easy to go green - even just a little green makes a huge difference, and
cutting out the transportation costs of outside food and supplies can really affect your footprint
(and your budget!).
Related: Be Seen and Be Green
5. Product and Service Diversity
Many small shops with personally selected products and services, or one big outfit with just a few options?
There’s no competition - local, family owned business greater diversity and a hands-down advantage
when it comes to customization and personal attention.
There’s no competition - local, family owned business greater diversity and a hands-down advantage
when it comes to customization and personal attention.
