‘Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made’s initiative launched by Sen. Fowler, Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce, Shop Southern Illinois and area businesses
NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Southern Illinois Made Expo
Office: (618) 997-6311
Email: info@simade.org
MARION, IL – In an effort to highlight the unique products made by Southern Illinois artisans, designers, manufacturers, wineries, and businesses; promote the beauty of Southern Illinois tourism destinations; and create awareness for consumers on how their support for local businesses benefit their community, State Sen. Dale Fowler (59th District), the Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce, Shop Southern Illinois and area businesses launched their “Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made” initiative Nov. 16.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, our local businesses need our support more than ever,” Sen. Fowler said. “This initiative will showcase the amazing businesses, breathtaking beauty, and world-class talent we have in our region. It will create better brand and product awareness so consumers better recognize the many products and services our workforce is offering and so consumers support their neighbor’s creations, art, food, and entertainment.”
The “Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made” initiative includes weekly videos that highlight local businesses, products, and the people behind them, which will be posted on the Southern Illinois Made Expo website (www.simade.org). The videos will also run weekly on the Southern Illinois Made Facebook Expo page (www.facebook.com/SIMadeExpo/). The initiative also includes “Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made” signage that businesses will place in their windows or place of business. The signs, which will be distributed to businesses through Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce, include one side that says “I support local businesses because…” People can then write under that phrase why they are supporting local businesses. The initiative also includes a social media effort through the Sothern Illinois Made Expo Facebook page where photos of the signs, photos of products from local businesses, and photos of the creators behind these products and services will be promoted.
“With the Southern Illinois Made Expo bringing in thousands of people last year in Marion and the tremendous interest to bring it back next year, barring the pandemic, this ‘Shop, Eat, Play – Safely’ initiative will bring our efforts to help our local businesses to another level,” Sen. Fowler said. “Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, especially in our region. They employ, they give, and they play a big role in making our region such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. We boast some incredible products that are used all over the world. But most importantly, we support the men and women behind these products and services.”
Studies have shown that locally owned businesses on average, give three times more money to support local charities and organizations compared to non-locally owned businesses. Also, for every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 67 cents stays in the local community compared to a little more than 40 cents at non-locally owned businesses. Small businesses with less than 20 workers make up 89 percent of U.S. employer firms.
According to Jared Gravatt, Co-Owner, Crown Brew Coffee Company, “We are in a time where small businesses need help, exposure and support now more than ever. We are so thrilled to be part of the “Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made” initiative. This initiative will help our small business in more ways than one and we couldn’t be more grateful”
Karen Mullins, Executive Director, Marion Chamber of Commerce says, “We have great entrepreneurial spirit here in Southern Illinois. Whether it is creating unique products and services or being part of an international brand while calling this area home. Our employers and their staff are the basis of our economy, and the Southern Illinois Made Expo, along with this year’s ‘Shop, Eat, Play – Safely Southern Illinois Made’s program, is a great way to spotlight the amazing products, services, and places to a wider audience to encourage future partnerships and economic success.”
“Over the years not only have I shopped, eaten, and played in Southern Illinois, I have also worked in Southern IL. The Southern Illinois Made Expo not only show cases the products made in Southern IL, it also shows the employment possibilities from these businesses. This speaks volumes for Southern IL and explains why you should and can; "Shop, Eat, Play, (and work) - Safely in Southern Illinois” said Mike Beard, Executive Director, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
“We hope people see this initiative and take it to heart so our neighbors, our economy, and our communities can better manage this pandemic and come out stronger when it is over,” Sen. Fowler said.
The 2020 Southern Illinois Made Expo was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Southern Illinois Made Expo is scheduled for July 24 and 25 in Marion. Find out more by visiting the website.
NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Southern Illinois Made Expo
Office: (618) 997-6311
Email: info@simade.org
MARION, IL – In an effort to highlight the unique products made by Southern Illinois artisans, designers, manufacturers, wineries, and businesses; promote the beauty of Southern Illinois tourism destinations; and create awareness for consumers on how their support for local businesses benefit their community, State Sen. Dale Fowler (59th District), the Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce, Shop Southern Illinois and area businesses launched their “Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made” initiative Nov. 16.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, our local businesses need our support more than ever,” Sen. Fowler said. “This initiative will showcase the amazing businesses, breathtaking beauty, and world-class talent we have in our region. It will create better brand and product awareness so consumers better recognize the many products and services our workforce is offering and so consumers support their neighbor’s creations, art, food, and entertainment.”
The “Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made” initiative includes weekly videos that highlight local businesses, products, and the people behind them, which will be posted on the Southern Illinois Made Expo website (www.simade.org). The videos will also run weekly on the Southern Illinois Made Facebook Expo page (www.facebook.com/SIMadeExpo/). The initiative also includes “Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made” signage that businesses will place in their windows or place of business. The signs, which will be distributed to businesses through Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce, include one side that says “I support local businesses because…” People can then write under that phrase why they are supporting local businesses. The initiative also includes a social media effort through the Sothern Illinois Made Expo Facebook page where photos of the signs, photos of products from local businesses, and photos of the creators behind these products and services will be promoted.
“With the Southern Illinois Made Expo bringing in thousands of people last year in Marion and the tremendous interest to bring it back next year, barring the pandemic, this ‘Shop, Eat, Play – Safely’ initiative will bring our efforts to help our local businesses to another level,” Sen. Fowler said. “Local businesses are the backbone of our economy, especially in our region. They employ, they give, and they play a big role in making our region such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. We boast some incredible products that are used all over the world. But most importantly, we support the men and women behind these products and services.”
Studies have shown that locally owned businesses on average, give three times more money to support local charities and organizations compared to non-locally owned businesses. Also, for every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 67 cents stays in the local community compared to a little more than 40 cents at non-locally owned businesses. Small businesses with less than 20 workers make up 89 percent of U.S. employer firms.
According to Jared Gravatt, Co-Owner, Crown Brew Coffee Company, “We are in a time where small businesses need help, exposure and support now more than ever. We are so thrilled to be part of the “Shop, Eat, Play – Safely, Southern Illinois Made” initiative. This initiative will help our small business in more ways than one and we couldn’t be more grateful”
Karen Mullins, Executive Director, Marion Chamber of Commerce says, “We have great entrepreneurial spirit here in Southern Illinois. Whether it is creating unique products and services or being part of an international brand while calling this area home. Our employers and their staff are the basis of our economy, and the Southern Illinois Made Expo, along with this year’s ‘Shop, Eat, Play – Safely Southern Illinois Made’s program, is a great way to spotlight the amazing products, services, and places to a wider audience to encourage future partnerships and economic success.”
“Over the years not only have I shopped, eaten, and played in Southern Illinois, I have also worked in Southern IL. The Southern Illinois Made Expo not only show cases the products made in Southern IL, it also shows the employment possibilities from these businesses. This speaks volumes for Southern IL and explains why you should and can; "Shop, Eat, Play, (and work) - Safely in Southern Illinois” said Mike Beard, Executive Director, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
“We hope people see this initiative and take it to heart so our neighbors, our economy, and our communities can better manage this pandemic and come out stronger when it is over,” Sen. Fowler said.
The 2020 Southern Illinois Made Expo was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Southern Illinois Made Expo is scheduled for July 24 and 25 in Marion. Find out more by visiting the website.
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