Oakland, CA – The Think Oakland First holiday season campaign encourages Oakland residents and visitors to support local businesses that reflect the diversity of our community by shopping, dining and enjoying seasonal celebrations locally. ThinkOaklandFirst.com has small business directories, holiday giveaways, fun community events, and more.
“Our diverse local businesses, makers, and entrepreneurs are the heart of our creative community and vibrant culture. I encourage all Oaklanders to Think Oakland First, and support the businesses that contribute so much to what we love about The Town,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
Shoppers are encouraged to explore Oakland’s shopping districts and discover amazing gift items offered by local retailers. From festive marketplaces to showcases of Oakland's vibrant arts and culture scene, Oakland's seasonal celebrations bring the community together. Oakland's dining and drinking establishments offer exciting gathering spots for indoor dining, outdoor parklet dining, take-out and catering. Oaklanders have even more options this year to spend their dollars locally and more experiences to savor.
At ThinkOaklandFirst.com, online small business directories and shopping resources help Oaklanders find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
Social Media Showcase of Local Businesses & Entrepreneurs
To showcase local shops and restaurants, as well as Oakland’s incredible home-based, pop-up and microbusinesses, the Oakland Metro Chamber and the City of Oakland, along with other local partners, will be sharing videos celebrating local small business owners and how they exemplify the #ThinkOaklandFirst spirit all season long. Community members can view the videos published on the Oakland Metro Chamber and City of Oakland Instagram stories and saved as #ThinkOaklandFirst highlights on the Oakland Metro Chamber Instagram page.
“Tis the season to be #OakProud! Think, shop and show your love for Oakland by supporting our creative entrepreneurs and eclectic retail businesses for all of your holiday shopping,” said Barbara Leslie, President & CEO of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
#ThinkOaklandFirst Experiences Giveaway
To help spread the word about the unique experiences and seasonal celebrations in Oakland, the holiday campaign includes giveaways for event attendees. Oaklanders and visitors are invited to enter the #ThinkOaklandFirst Experiences Giveaway by attending one (or all!) of the dozens of #ThinkOaklandFirst local holiday celebrations and signing in at the event info booth with their email. One entry per person per event you attend – the more events you attend, the better chance you have! Attend and submit entries at #ThinkOaklandFirst events through January 8th to be entered into a drawing to win two roundtrip Southwest Airlines tickets to anywhere in the US (including Hawaii), courtesy of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Two winners will be chosen. Details and giveaway rules are available at ThinkOaklandFirst.com.
“Visit Oakland is proud to partner with the City and the Oakland Metro Chamber for our #ThinkOaklandFirst holiday campaign,” commented Peter Gamez, President & CEO, Visit Oakland. “This year, members of our community have shared their favorite places to shop and find the best Oakland gifts - and the recommendations are amazing! The Town is alive with fun, engaging experiences that celebrate our local businesses, award-winning restaurants, vibrant arts and culture and so much more. It’s the perfect time to visit Oakland, stay in one of our beautiful hotels and enjoy the holiday spirit in true Oakland style.”
Shopping Locally Helps Our Community Thrive
Many Oakland merchants have been severely impacted by the pandemic and rely on the local community to support their recovery and growth by shopping and dining locally. By choosing to spend your dollars at local businesses, whether online or in-person, you are supporting your neighbors – the entrepreneurs and employees of our small, independent businesses that contribute to Oakland’s unique character.
Shopping locally also helps support the local services and products used by local retailers like accountants, cleaners, and uniform manufacturers. Local businesses generate sales tax revenue for the City to be invested back into the community. Consider the many social and economic benefits of shopping local as you complete your holiday gift purchases.
Holiday Partnership
The Think Oakland First holiday season promotion is a partnership between the City of Oakland, Visit Oakland and the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
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