KEDA's Shop Local Campaign Honored with 2022 WEDA Economic Development Award

Kitsap Shop Local campaign honored by Washington Economic Development Association with Economic Development Award for COVID-19 Economic Response & Recovery

SILVERDALE, WA–

The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) was recently recognized by the leaders of the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA), during their 2022 Winter Conference in Olympia, WA, for outstanding achievement in the category of: Economic Development Award for Economic Response & Recovery for their #Shop.Eat.Spend.Kitsap social media campaign.

Bruce Kendall, WEDA Awards Committee Chair who also serves as President & CEO of the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County said, “We received impressive nominations from communities across Washington. The nominations reflect a unique array of the breadth and diversity of strong work taking place by economic developers in Washington. These projects are often complex and require extensive collaboration and creative partnerships. We were also pleased to once again present awards in two new award categories established last year, for the Economic Development Award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Economic Development Award for Response & Recovery.” 

According to Theresa Mangrum, Communications Manager, for the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, “We ramped up our #Shop.Eat.Spend.Kitsap campaign for year two of the pandemic because we knew that the 2021 holiday season was going to be “make it or break it” for many of the small shops, galleries, coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants that are the life blood of our communities. Our goal was to  create an emotional response and get people to realize how vital their patronage is to their downtown businesses, and to help them remember that small businesses are their neighbors, and community members.” 

KEDA worked with marketing contractor, Aljolynn Sperber, to develop the campaign and work directly with Kitsap small businesses.  As a result, the Facebook group saw a 280% increase in members between September and December of 2021. Instagram was added to the mix and a dedicated campaign website https://www.shopeatspendkitsap.com/, provided shopping guides, how-to guides, and links to all Chamber sites and other resources. Businesses also benefitted from technical assistance in social media marketing via webinars and direct personal guidance, as well as photography, custom in-store video reels, and live shopping experiences.

To get involved with the 2022 #ShopEatSpendKitsap campaign or learn more, email KEDA Communications & Events Manager Theresa Mangrum (mangrum@kitsapeda.org). 
 

Click here to read press release with full list of 2022 WEDA Economic Development Awards.

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About the Washington Economic Development Association (WEDA)

As Washington State’s only trade association laser-focused on economic development, WEDA is committed to recovering, retaining, recruiting and expanding jobs and re-investment in Washington State. WEDA members include economic development organizations, cities, counties, ports, tribes, businesses, education/workforce and community-based organizations that prioritize economic development.