Upcoming Events

Buy Local Kalamazoo is offering our members several opportunities to promote your business to other members and to the public.

Meet & Greet Events

  We try to have “Meet and Greet” events every other month at a member’s place of business.  These events provide an opportunity for you to promote your goods or service and to socialize with other independent business owners.  The “Meet and Greets” are held from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  They are scheduled as follows:

• January 25 – Jaqua Realtors
• March 15 – Wrap and Trim-It
• May 3 – Wenke Greenhouse's Spring Expo
• September 13th - Comensoli's Italian Bistro and Bar
• October 12 – Portage Library (Part of Annual Meeting)
• October 12, 2010, Portage District Library - Annual Meeting
• November 29, 2010, Members Only Dinner - Mangia Mangia

For more information regarding the Meet and Greet event, please contact board member

Sticker Events

In 2009 we started what we call "Sticker Events". We created round stickers that promote Buy Local Kalamazoo and handed them out at several events. This has become a very popular and effective way to promote the buy local concept. Sticker Events in 2009 included the Kalamazoo Super Saturday & Do Dah Parade, the Schoolcraft 4th of July Parade, and the Vicksburg Old Car Festival. If you would be interested in making your next event a "Sticker Event", please contact Polly Nee - .

2010 Sticker Events

• June 5 – Art Hop Downtown Kalamazoo
• March 26 - Wedel's Ladies Night Out
• July 3 -  Schoolcraft 4th of July Parade
• July 21 - People's Co-op Wednesday's Market
• September 19 - Harvest Fest

Portage District Library Presentations

Every two weeks Buy Local Kalamazoo will have a session at the Portage District Library.  Each session features several or our members’ businesses with a common theme.  The presenting businesses will form a panel with a 5 to 10 minute educational presentation regarding their line of business followed by a question and answer period, and then additional time for one-to-one interaction.  The sessions are offered twice on the designated day to reach two different consumer groups,  Each session will run from 6:00-7:30pm.  Participants can also have space to display their wares.  This is a chance for you to gain new customers!  If you are interested in participating, it is not too late.  Contact board member for more formation.

These sessions will be well publized by the Portage District Library, although you are encouraged to publize the event as well to bring out your existing and potential customers.  The scheduled presenters and dates are listed below.  Brochure available soon

• October 14, 2010: Stay Balanced-Getting Help with Life’s Day to Day Challenges
  
• October 21, 2010: Stay Balanced with Relaxation
  

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All 2010 Events

• October 21 Stay Balanced – With Relaxation (Featuring 6 BLK Members)
• October 14 Stay Balanced – Getting Help w/ Life's Challenges (Featuring 7 BLK Members)
• September 30 Stay Balanced - Redesigning Your Space (Featuring 4 BLK Members)
• September 23 Stay Balanced – Connecting Personal & Business Contacts (Featuring 5 BLK Members)
• April 22 Stay Outdoors – Designing & Valuing (Featured 4 BLK Members)
• April 8 Stay Fashionable – Clothes & Accessories (Featured 3 BLK Members)
• March 25 Stay Put – Renovations & Interior Designs (Featured 4 BLK Members)
• March 11 Stay Fit – Healthy Life Style (Featured 4 BLK Members)
• February 25 Stay Full – Know your Local Eateries (Featured 4 BLK Members)
• February 11 Stay Connected – Capturing Memories (Featured 3 BLK Members)
• January 28 Stay Healthy – Cooking and Eating Well (Featured 3 BLK Members)