THE Northam Chamber of Commerce launched its Christmas shop local promotion at the Dukes Inn on October 22.
Willy Regan from Radio West, New Solutions 4 Business representative Richard Anderson and Paula Greenway from Toodyay were in attendance.
At the commencement of the meeting, Northam Chamber of Commerce vice president Michelle Blackhurst said it was clear businesses wanted to know more about marketing.
As such the chamber plans to run double page spreads in the Avon Valley Advocate for the last two weeks in November.
"The idea is to give local businesses exposure so people consider shopping with them," she said.
"It also provides other businesses an opportunity to sample a marketing package."
Another promotion is planned with Radio West.
Ms Regan presented an option for businesses to take up a joint campaign leading up to Christmas.
She explained a shop local weekly prize draw running for six weeks, with winners to be announced every Friday on air.
Winners will receive $100.
In addition there will be three prizes of $500 drawn on December 22 just before Christmas.
Northam Chamber of Commerce executive officer Sharon Lugget-Hassell said it will begin November 10.
"The more people buy locally the more chance they have of being a prize winner," she said.
People need to purchase either a product or a service from any of the businesses within the Shire of Northam during the period November 10 through to December 19.
They write their name and telephone number (preferably a mobile) on the back of their receipt and drop it into any of the drop off boxes at designated shops in Northam.
Each time they make a purchase they are eligible to enter on the back of their receipt with their details.
Mr Anderson gave a short presentation on the local services he provides.
Solutions 4 Business has state funding to assist small business in the region, at no charge to the business.
It offers assistance to businesses in all facets including marketing and debt collection. Mr Anderson will work with the chamber to run workshops.
"I am here to listen and help businesses grow, become more profitable and more viable," he said.
"It is an exciting time and hopefully it will be exciting for businesses in Northam."
Following Mr Anderson, Toodyay's Paula Greenway had a simple message in relation to the future of the AvonLink train service: "Use it or lose it."
She said the big picture for the AvonLink was "huge", citing the business it can bring to the Avon Valley in the long term.
"We have 18 months to save this service otherwise it will be lost forever," she said.
"Not enough people know about the new service timetable."
Ms Greenway said banners promoting the train service are placed in windows in Toodyay, and recommended the same practice for Northam businesses.
