Montreal business gets 'cash mobbed' as part of Quebec-wide 'Love Your Local Business' contest

MONTREAL, Aug. 29, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - A first for Montreal, CEDEC Small Business Support Network (SBSN) launched its Quebec-wide "Love Your Local Business" contest (www.loveyourlocalbusiness.ca) by organising a 'cash mob' at Mortimer Snodgrass, a locally-owned boutique situated in Old Montreal at 56 Notre-Dame Street West. Inspired by 'flash mobs', a 'cash mob' is a group of people who take part in a collective spending spree to support an independent retailer in their community.

Virginia Champoux, owner of Mortimer Snodgrass, was thrilled to see new faces in her store. "I had heard of cash mobs before and I think it's a fantastic way of helping small businesses," said Champoux. "This infusion of support brought us extra revenue on a typically slow day of the week, but more importantly it created more awareness of my business, and hopefully repeat customers!"

In the following weeks, additional cash mobs will be organised to support small businesses in the Magdalen Islands, Gaspésie, Eastern Townships, Quebec City, and South West Quebec. "Because CEDEC is established throughout the province, we plan on organizing cash mobs to support other small businesses," said Mark Anto, CEDEC SBSN Provincial Coordinator. "We also hope to raise awareness about the contest and get as many businesses to enter," he continued.

About CEDEC's "Love Your Local Business" Contest

Small businesses in Quebec can enter the "Love Your Local Business" contest for a chance to win:

• A TV commercial to be aired on CBC Television for an entire month;
• Two tickets and hotel accommodations to the Awards Gala in Montreal on Wednesday October 17, 2012. Dianne Buckner, Host of CBC's Dragon's Den, will be the keynote speaker at the gala, and Sonali Karnick, Host of CBC Radio's All in a Weekend, will MC the event;
• Publicity in a major Quebec newspaper;
• Visibility on CEDEC's website, e-newsletter and social media channels.

The contest includes a voting component where businesses can share their profile through www.loveyourlocalbusiness.ca and Facebook, asking clients, friends and family to support their entry. The five businesses who garner the most votes will be assessed by a jury.

The grand-prize winner will be featured in a TV commercial on CBC Television for an entire month. Deadline to enter or vote is Friday September 28, 2012.

The contest is being promoted with the help of CBC Quebec, with public service announcements being aired on CBC Radio throughout the month of September. For more information about the contest and sponsorship opportunities, contact Rania Cotran at [phone] or [email protected].

About CEDEC Small Business Support Network (SBSN)

CEDEC SBSN (www.cedec.ca/sbsn) is an initiative of the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC). CEDEC SBSN supports communities across Quebec by providing personalized business development services in English. CEDEC is funded by the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities and by the Government of Canada.

Image with caption: "From left to right: Stacey Dakin, Operations Manager, CEDEC; Mark Anto, Provincial Project Coordinator, CEDEC SBSN; Staff Member of Mortimer Snodgrass; Virginia Champoux, Owner of Mortimer Snodgrass. (CNW Group/CEDEC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120829_C2439_PHOTO_EN_17336.jpg

SOURCE: CEDEC

Mélissa Bellerose
Marketing and Communications Coordinator (CEDEC SBSN)
Cell: [phone] or [phone]
Office: [phone], Ext. 229
[email protected]

Kirsten Hathaway
Communications Officer
CEDEC
[phone]
[email protected]