It’s been about 15 months since the DG Economic Development Corp. launched its catchy “In” campaign to encourage businesses and residents to consider Downers Grove first when looking for a place to dine in, shop in, stay in, work in and live in.
A great message and one that became timelier still when the economy tanked last fall. Since then, the mayor and other public officials have worked tirelessly to encourage residents to keep their dollars in Downers, where sales tax revenues have dropped precipitously in the past several months.
With that in mind, I’m going to raise a sensitive subject. In recent weeks we’ve received invitations to fundraisers and other events sponsored by local organizations. And in each case, the event was scheduled for an out-of-town venue.
Now, as someone who has spent her share of volunteer hours working for not-for-profits, I absolutely understand the balancing act involved in putting on a classy event that will attract donors while keeping a close eye on the bottom line. Every dollar spent on overhead — the meal, the drinks, the entertainment — is a dollar that doesn’t end up in a deserving organization’s coffers. And make no mistake, these organizations are very deserving.
Still, there are good reasons to consider keeping a major event local, even if it costs marginally more. I have three invitations on my desk, which certainly represent a nice windfall for each of the businesses hosting the events. Unfortunately, all of them are located in neighboring suburbs.
It’s been a while since my kids were tiny, but I recall breathing a sigh of relief if our social obligations kept us in town. You’re more accessible if needed — and I was on a few occasions — and you’re not paying a babysitter an hour’s wage just to commute to the event.
That’s personal, but there also are good business reasons for staying local. Even if sales tax revenue isn’t a consideration — not-for-profits get a break on that — big events mean good business to restaurants and other venues, particularly during an economic downturn.
But there’s another consideration. The local business community is very good to the Downers Grove not-for-profits that routinely solicit them for donations and free or discounted services.
As someone who has solicited for such donations, I’m well aware that the DG business community, especially the locally owned mom-and-pop shops, get many requests a year for gift certificates, merchandise or cash — during good times and bad.
This spring I helped out one not-for-profit by following up to solicitation letters by phone. And more than once I was told they would like to help, but just couldn’t given the lousy economic climate.
Not-for-profits provide many wonderful services to this community. If they haven’t considered giving local businesses a boost, maybe now is the time to start.
I completely agree with you in principle, but as someone who’s involved with one of the non-profits you’re probably referring to, I can report that finding an appropriate venue is very difficult. We tried to stay as local as possible, but there just wasn’t anything in Downers that had the right kind of space for a reasonable price.
Thanks for commenting, Karen. I was hoping someone who has booked this type of event would chime in.
Obviously there are many factors involved and those you mention — space and price — are very important. I guess I’m just coming at it from the solicitation viewpoint and wondering how local businesses feel given that the economy is so grim.
I wasn’t looking to offend, but to ask the question. Hopefully others will share their experiences, too.
What goes around comes around.
I’d also ask the question the other way, do Downers Grove businesses want these events enough to negotiate competitive packages?
What do the local business organizations have to say?
I want to wish Binny’s Beverage Depot good luck with opening it’s newest flagship store at the old Circuit City location on Highland/Butterfield.
where exactly would you hold an event?