Christmas in Canmore disguised as Buy Local Campaign  

Christmas in Canmore or Buy Local Campaign? 

It’s been a long time since Canmore has had a Buy Local or Shop Local campaign. Christmas in Canmore has taken on a whole new meaning in the past seven years, so why not combine the two? Christmas in Canmore 2017 has the elements of a Buy Local campaign and a destination marketing campaign. 

While a Buy Local campaign celebrates the local business community and the diversity of the independent business owners in Canmore, this Christmas in Canmore campaign is directly related to tourism economy. This community economic development program is rooted in local business—a vital investment in our community and economy. 

Canmore’s collection of one-of-a-kind, independent, local businesses are integral to its’ character, and what makes Canmore such a special destination. Per capita, Canmore has more independently owned and operated businesses than any other town in the province. The campaign positions Canmore as an exciting shopping and dining destination worth exploring, and it positions local buying as a value-based lifestyle choice. 

Choosing a local business means that for every $100 you spend, $46 is recirculated back into the local economy (source: LOCO, Vancouver). 

Canmore has the curated high-end quality of goods found in cities with small town accessibility—a relaxing, rejuvenating, friendly place to enjoy sophisticated amenities. Encouraging thoughtful purchasing decisions which impact the whole community is a great way to enjoy Christmas in Canmore. 

The Christmas in Canmore Campaign 

The Christmas in Canmore Campaign is spearheaded by the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) and Tourism Canmore Kananaskis (TCK). This campaign will celebrate the local business offerings through a Buy Local campaign that encourages locals to shop local and keep our dollars in Canmore. This campaign has the elements of a tourism marketing campaign in that the offerings will be promoted in Edmonton and Calgary through digital marketing. 

The BRZ marketing department offered that people should come ‘enjoy Canmore’s distinctive mountain culture. While TCK works to bring people to Canmore, the BRZ is working to position downtown Canmore as a tourism, shopping and dining destination and continue the work of Canmore Business and Tourism in this area. In conjunction with its reputation as an award-winning dining destination, world-class event location, and hub for culture and creativity, Canmore can become a shopping destination known for its authentic local purveyors and independent business owners. Canmore is the place to recharge, reconnect and become inspired by all the community has to offer. 

According to Canmore Business and Tourism’s 2015-2020 Strategic Plan, the 2020 target for the tourism sector is an annual visitor spend of $400 million (up from $278 million in 2012). This Buy Local campaign, coupled with the current economic climate and the tourism landscape could provide a 20% boost to economic impact. Watch for Christmas in Canmore on the streets of Downtown Canmore during the month of December. 

As always, thanks for reading! If any business owners care to learn a thing or two about digital marketing this holiday season, check out our blogs: Optimizing Your Social Media This Holiday Season  & Optimize Your Social Media This Holiday Season 2.0. 

Happy Shopping & Happy Holidays! 

-CarmellaCrew