By David F. Rooney
He’s been doing it for years and Craig McKee’s Passport to Christmas marketing program continues to attract consumers.
“Consumers love this program — and it’s great for keeping their dollars in the community,” he said in an interview last week. “The first year I started this we retained $1.2 million in the local economy.”
Consumer confidence in the program hasn’t waned, although McKee says local merchants have adopted a bunker mentality due to the overall state of the economy.
“This year we kept $750,000 worth of spending in town,” he said, adding that 32 merchants participated in the program. “In fact, one newcomer to town said he spent more money than ever as a result of the Passport to Christmas.”
This year’s program saw Early Bird winners Kathy Taylor take home a Revelstoke U-Brew Wine Kit after she entered at Cooper’s, Adrienne Schurdewin walk away with a snowboard from Free Spirit Sports after entering at Field’s and Waneta Desmaze received a $100 gift certificate from Style Trend after entering at Universal Footwear. And there was cash, too. The Grand Prize of $750 went to Community Connections, Miya Hayman won the $500 second prize and Kim Young won third with $250.
