Online #BuyBasin Festival makes shopping local easy
By CBT
From touring a local restaurant to virtually exploring the workshop of a local artisan to seeing the latest in family fashion, the #BuyBasin Festival takes you live to local businesses around the Columbia Basin. Attendees will learn about the local goods and services offered right here in the region, and how to keep their spending power close to home. Hosted by Columbia Basin Trust and delivered by FestivalSeekers, the event takes place this fall on Facebook and Instagram from October 18 to November 10.
“Buying locally is extremely important when it comes to supporting Basin businesses and entrepreneurs. There is a diverse range of products and services available to people living in the Basin, many of which will be featured during the #BuyBasin Festival,” said Katie Kendall, Senior Manager of Special Initiatives with Columbia Basin Trust. “By spending dollars in the region, shoppers can purchase unique, local items while helping businesses adapt to changes brought on by the pandemic so they can remain stable over the long term, while also employing more local residents.”
Five days a week, up to six businesses will go live on social media to reveal expert tips, demonstrate their products and provide behind-the-scenes access—alongside performances from a range of entertainers. Over the four-week festival, about 100 businesses will highlight their offerings.
In addition to showcasing the unique products and services available locally, the #BuyBasin Festival also strengthens local businesses by teaching them how to be effective online and through social media. To participate in the event, each business is trained on how to go live on social media, build social media strategies and tell their unique story online.
In spring 2021, the #BuyBasin Festival featured 112 local business owners, entrepreneurs and artists, resulting in increased awareness of their goods and services and additional sales.
“This past spring during the first #BuyBasin Festival, businesses came alive on social media to weather what has been an incredibly difficult economic storm. We are ecstatic to help make that magic happen in a bigger way by including Instagram in the festival this fall,” said Stevie Froese, Social Media Manager and Festival Producer with FestivalSeekers.
Expect a new lineup of live videos every weekday from October 18 to November 10, 2021—simply follow the #BuyBasin hashtag on social media and tune in often! To see the schedule or learn more, visit ourtrust.org/buybasin.
Businesses that would like to apply to be part of the #BuyBasin Festival lineup this fall should sign up for a ‘Get Noticed’ webinar on September 28 or 29. Register here.
Columbia Basin Trust supports the ideas and efforts of the people in the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, and how it helps deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the Basin, visit ourtrust.org.
FestivalSeekers is an online magazine that features festivals and yet-to-be-discovered experiences in Western Canada. The multi-award-winning media outlet has spent the past 10+ years generating content and using social media marketing tactics to bring together communities while celebrating small business.
