Southern Illinois Chambers of Commerce Urge Residents to Do Holiday Shopping Locally

Ten area Chambers of Commerce along with several regional businesses have teamed up this holiday season in an effort to encourage Southern Illinoisans to do a majority of their holiday shopping in the region, rather than traveling out of the area or shopping online.
 
The effort, called “Shop Southern Illinois,” features a strong social media presence where residents can learn some of the reasons it is important for Southern Illinoisans to shop locally and where they may pledge to do most of their own holiday shopping in the region by using the hashtag #IBuySI. By making a post or tweet with the #IBuySI hashtag, participants are entered in weekly drawings to win prizes.
 
The schedule for the drawings and the prizes will be at 1 p.m. on (but are subject to change):

• December 2
  • $275 10k yellow gold ruby and diamond necklace from Watson’s jeweler
• December 9
  • $250 gift certificate from Black Diamond Harley Davidson
• December 16
  • A year’s supply of Pepsi from Pepsi MidAmerica
• December 23
  • $500 cash from the Shop Southern Illinois Program
• December 30
  • A year’s supply of Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut dozens (1 dozen per month for 12 months)

 
There is no cost for the program, and there will be no requirement that shoppers turn in receipts or punch-card programs, etc. Individuals are limited to winning one weekly prize drawing, but there are no limits to the number of times participants can be entered into the drawing by using the #IBuySI hashtag. Entries must be received by noon on December 30, 2016.
 
Winners will have two weeks after the drawing to claim their prize or the prize will be returned to the Shop Southern Illinois program to draw another winner. Winners will be notified via the Shop Southern Illinois Facebook and Twitter pages.
 
The Shop Southern Illinois effort also features a special message from Southern Illinois University Men’s Basketball Coach Barry Hinson, who stresses the importance of shopping locally.
 
“Each Chamber has come to the table with amazing ideas and an open mind. We want to educate consumers to shop and buy locally, realizing that a small shift in shopping trends – say 2-3% - can result in millions of dollars in new revenue for area businesses,” said Dalus Ben Avi, Marion Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “To make this program a success, we need to do what Chambers do best – support local businesses this holiday season and encourage others to do the same! Local business owners are our neighbors and friends, and they deserve our support and our business not only this holiday season, but all year-round. Local businesses hire locally, spend their money locally, contribute to their communities and regions and offer everything we need or want this holiday season and every day of the year.”
 
Shop Southern Illinois decals, provided by Wesley’s Custom Graphics and the Illinois Small Business Development Center, are available at participating Chambers of Commerce. Everyone is encouraged to contact their Chamber of Commerce to get a Shop Southern Illinois decal and proudly display it on their vehicle, at their business, or anywhere!
 
Southern Illinois Chambers sponsoring the effort include:
• Carbondale
• Carterville
• DuQuoin
• Herrin
• Marion
• Metropolis
• Murphysboro
• Pinckneyville
• Union County
• West Frankfort
 
For more information, please contact the Marion Chamber of Commerce at (618) 997-6311 or director@marionillinois.com.