Buy Local First Campaigns:

Proven Strategies and Tactics

In communities across North America, BALLE networks are launching Local First Campaigns. These marketing campaigns are a critical piece of a sustainable community economic development strategy—helping to promote economic stability, job growth, and entrepreneurial vigor through nurturing and promoting a wide diversity of locally owned businesses.  Local First campaigns are often the fastest way to kick off a new BALLE network or strengthen the business involvement of an existing network.

Local First campaigns are having a significant impact on the buying patterns of consumers—and driving money back into the businesses that give so much to the local community.

In Bellingham, Washington, 58% of community members said they have changed their buying habits due to the Local First campaign of Sustainable Connections!

On Thursday, May 31st, we’ll be bringing together champions of the Local First model to share best practices and give new and existing network leaders the tools to kick off a successful Local First campaign!!

Before the seminar

If you're new to the idea of Local First, we invite you to check out the Local First manual and FAQs to get the basic grounding. On our website we also provide video clips explaining the concepts of the multiplier effect and economic leakage and link to a number of economic impact studies measuring the benefits to a community of supporting locally owned business.

8:00AM Breakfast

8:30 Welcome & introductions - Laury Hammel and Michelle Long

9:00 Local First Campaigns Work! – the Bellingham Story - Michelle Long

10:00 Facilitated conversations with a practical focus

•    Local food partnerships with Joanne Neft

•    Loyalty cards with David Kaseman

•    Urban success stories with Ayari De la Rosa

•    Business 2 Business Connections with Leanne Krueger-Braneky

•    Directories with Karen Kelley and Elissa Sangalli

•    Staff development with Derrell Ness

10:50-11:00 Break

11:00 Local First - The Next Wave - Michael Shuman

12:00 Lunch and Materials Expo

12:30 The First Stage of Localized Economic Development - Laury Hammel

1:15-2:15 Real Speaking: Sharing the BALLE Message, Your Way! - Gail Larsen (professional speech coach)

2:15-3:00 Peer Advising Groups

•    Start-ups and early-stage networks (Laury Hammel)

•    Advanced-stage small groups (Michelle Long)

3:00-3:45 Regional small group meetings

3:45-3:55 Closing

4:00PM Berkeley Community and Business Tour! (optional for conference registrants)