Think Local First is busting out its new loyalty program at its annual general meeting tonight.
Cards will be handed out at the event, which starts at 6 p.m. in the Atrium, 800 Yates St.
The loyalty program is going through an early trial and its official public launch is planned for June, Think Local First president Gayle Robinson said. By then, she’s hoping the number of businesses participating in the loyalty program will have grown to at least 50.
Robinson is thrilled with the momentum generated by the Think Local First organization, which encourages consumers to support locally based businesses. Formed in early 2012 with 10 members, it has grown to 198 members.
Think Local First urges consumers to consider spending 10 per cent of their money locally to help support local businesses, which the group says translates into a healthy community.
The people involved in Think Local First are an enthusiastic bunch. A total of 10 businesses applied for two openings on the board, something that Robinson sees as a strong signal of support for the organization. Mike Black of Capital Iron and Paul Hadfield of Spinnakers Gastro Brew Pub are the new board members.
Another major step is an agreement with Island Savings credit union that sees it become Think Local First’s official financial partner for the 2015-2016.
The total amount of financial support is not being disclosed, Robinson said. The credit union is providing financial support that will cover expenses for the general meeting, spring and fall mixers, activities around Think Local First week starting Nov. 30, and for the first run of 10,000 loyalty cards. It expands the role that Island Savings has played in Think Local’s history, said Robinson, adding, “They believed in us at an early level.”
The loyalty program is being administered by Supportland.com in Portland, Oregon, where the technology to support the program originated. Participants need to register at that website. They can either pick up loyalty cards in stores and register the card online, or they can use a mobile device.
Supportland’s program requires a name and email or phone number, said Katrina Scotto di Carlo, a Supportland founder who is attending today’s meeting.
Participants collect merits (points) by shopping at a participating business. Users receive 20 merits the first time the loyalty card is used for a purchase, and five merits each time afterward, Robinson said. Merits are not tied to a dollar value. Users can redeem merits at participating businesses once they have earned 200 merits. That means, for example, you can have a beer at Spinnakers, buy a fishing reel at Robinson’s Outdoor Store and so on, and then redeem your points at a different business if you wish.
At the 200-merit mark “that is a person who is really supporting the local economy,” Robinson said.
Not all Think Local members are part of the loyalty program. Businesses participating are Robinson’s, Ocean River Sports, Dig This, Vancouver Island Brewery, the Dutch Bakery, Designhouse Salon, Spinnakers, Tonic Jewelry, Artina’s Jewellery, Melissa Caron Jewellers, Hemp and Co., and The Copper Hat. More are joining every day, Robinson said.
Participating businesses are on the member list at Think Local First website, thinklocalvictoria.com.
Scotto di Carlo said based on results in Portland, if 50 businesses take part, it translates to about 20,000 loyalty program members. “Every business that comes on board brings customers on and that really builds and builds and builds.” Supportland loyalty program members in Portland and Victoria can earn and use their points in either city, she said.
