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Monday, Jan. 28, Go Local's annual event Shift Happens 2013 will fill the Greater Tacoma Convention Center with local businesses, celebrating and reveling in the fact that Tacoma loves all things local.
And what's not to love? Tacoma's local business scene is rad.
Shift Happens is designed to give said local businesses a place to network, connect and grow, but also to get you - yes, you, every day citizens! - out to eat and drink local products, as well as tour booths representing local businesses. More than 100 local businesses of all stripes will be out in force. By day, the event includes the vendors-only Business to Business session, as well as Smart Lab that's free for vendors and $10 for the public.
After 4 p.m., the vendor showcase welcomes in everyone to experience the awesomeness that is the local business scene. At 6:15 p.m., the main event takes to the stage, including Go Local handing out their three annual Indie Awards for this year's Advocacy Champion, Community Steward, and Entrepreneurial Empowerment. Mayor Marilyn Strickland will also round up the night with her State of the City address.
This year, attendees also have a special announcement to look forward to - the date for when the new Loyalty Rewards program will launch. This program will allow customers to get rewards points at participating local businesses.
"We're drawing attention from regional chambers of commerce," says Go Local coordinator Patricia Lecy-Davis. "The mayor of Sammamish will be there. They're pretty excited about what we've done with Go Local and they see us as the leaders in the Northwest area of Go Local programs. They're looking to start one and implement rewards, so they're coming to see what we're doing at Shift Happens."
Shift Happens 2013 is free and open to the public, but organizers request an RSVP.
Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, Monday, Jan. 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Business to Business, 2:30-4 p.m. Business Smart Lab, 4-6:15 p.m. local vendor showcase, 6:15 p.m. Shift Happens program, 7-8 p.m. prize giveaways, free admission, $10 for Business Smart Labs, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, tacomashifthappens.com