Who are these people, anyways? How did they get to the Spokane region?

Why do they stay?



By: Dawn Picken

Marketing Director, Greater Spokane Inc.



Brian Forth, President, SiteCrafting



I pulled Brian aside after a Greater Spokane Incorporated

breakfast at Northern Quest’s new hotel. In part, the Q&A was an excuse to enjoy that new-hotel smell and sit before the massive stone fireplace in the lobby. That’s where we talked fishing, beer… Continue

Hatching a Plan



Late one Wednesday evening, at a café in downtown Spokane, I met with members of Sean’s party professionals group, called INPRO. They’re a collection of photographers, DJs, caterers, rental shops, planners, printers, an engraver… a confetti mix of small business owners with a couple common traits: 1) They’re in the events business 2) They know how to throw a fine party themselves (I say this after attending several INPRO functions with Sean and always leaving… Continue

I thought I'd share my nightmare about how not buying local has struck a sour chord, in hopes others can learn from my sheer idiocy. Before Greater Spokane Incorporated kicked off the Inland NW's Buy Local campaign, I signed up with an Oklahoma-based piano mover to get my mom's antique baby grand from her home in Ohio to Spokane. Already, you know where this is going, don't you?

I should've contacted a local piano mover first. Even if they… Continue

Buy Local programs can be tricky instruments to learn. Everyone has an opinion about who should and should not get to play a role. The BL campaign at Greater Spokane Incorporated is inclusive for a few reasons: 1) we want to allow our message to spread as broadly and deeply as possible; 2) Many of our members are, in fact, part of a national chain; 3) Many people in this community exercise the option of shopping at locally-owned as well as national… Continue

How have you supported "Buy Local" lately? Told a friend about a great restaurant (or better yet, ate there yourself!), shopped a local boutique or national firm located here instead of clicking for shoes online? Somehow, buying from across the country doesn't seem as avant-garde as it used to! Maybe Buy Local is the new chic?

And the message is growing...literally! The picture above shows our billboard at NW Blvd (near Ash). Many, many thanks to… Continue