I have redeemed my chamber gift certificates to eat out, get my nails done, or simply buy groceries. I have given them as gifts to co-workers, the mailman, or as a birthday gift. I have even donated them to non-profits to use as a silent auction item or inside a gift basket door prize. Everyone loves to receive a gift certificate because it gives the recipient a choice of where to spend, and there are SO many choices.
In 2010, the Valpo Chamber sold approximately $98,000 worth of gift certificates. ANYONE can purchase, so we see businesses buying large quantities to give to employees at holiday time, AND we see folks stopping in to buy one or two … for coaches, schoolteachers, real estate closings, and “thank you for dog sitting” gifts! The marketability is diverse and vast. The number of certificates sold in 2010 was over 5000, in varying increments. Certificates are sold at ANY denomination the buyer stipulates.
So, we know chamber gift certificates have value for the recipient. But, what about the value to our member participants?
The 100+ vendors currently participating on this program pay ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for the marketing effect of this program. Every certificate sold includes an alphabetical list of vendors, plus the list is included on our website. Our annual directory defines vendors by including a shopping cart icon next to their name. Moreover, the chamber markets the certificates in email blasts and newspaper advertising, particularly at holiday time. The chamber does its best to bring exposure to all those vendors participating on the program.
Then, if a certificate IS redeemed at the vendor’s business, they simply retain the document, return it to the chamber office, and receive a 95% reimbursement check from the chamber. The top vendor on the program in 2010 received enough reimbursements back from the chamber that their annual membership could have been paid eight times over! The next “top five” vendors where certificates were redeemed include a grocery store, restaurant, automotive shop, butcher, and fueling center. Those five businesses were reimbursed $22,540 collectively…which, again, more than paid for their individual investments with the chamber.
Bottom line. Valpo Chamber Gift Certificates are the perfect gift, AND the perfect opportunity to promote your business to other businesses and to the community at large.
Want to view a complete list of current vendors? Learn more about becoming a vendor? Or, purchase a chamber gift certificate? Click here.
Danielle Oeding
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
oeding@valparaisochamber.org
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