Winnebago Buy Local hosts 2013 Kickoff Celebration Feb. 19

• Guest speaker Jill Salzman will discuss ‘How to Be an Expert in Your Field’

Online Staff Report

Over the past year, more and more people have pledged to “buy local” in Winnebago County, and over the past year, more than 115 locally-owned businesses have helped to make this continue to be possible.

Local businesses keep our region unique and help our local economy; to assist with locally owned and operated businesses, Winnebago Buy Local is having its 2013 Kickoff Celebration Tuesday, Feb. 19. Beginning at 6 p.m. in Giovanni’s Grand Ballroom (610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford), this free event will feature Jill Salzman speaking about “How to Be an Expert In Your Field.”

Salzman has appeared in The New York Times, Forbes magazine, and Crain’s Chicago Business while also speaking previously at TEDxNaperville and on several TV shows as a three-time successful entrepreneurial voice.

Door prizes, hors d’oeuvers, networking and a cash bar will also be featured at the 2103 Kickoff Event to celebrate Winnebago Buy Local’s two years of supporting local businesses.

This special event is for any new Winnebago County independently-owned business or business owners, and current Winnebago Buy Local members.

Winnebago Buy Local’s mission is supporting and cultivating local independent businesses while focusing on the transformation of our local economy toward green jobs, sustainable industries and practices, and buying local first.

Local businesses are the bread-and-butter of every city, helping local economies by keeping more money local. Studies mention that shopping with a locally-owned business keeps about 68 cents of every dollar spent in the local economy, versus much less than with franchise and non-locally-owned businesses.

Through the past two years, Winnebago Buy Local has held several large, yearly events and continuously held monthly gatherings for locally-owned businesses to network and help each other succeed in a constantly changing business landscape while promoting local businesses.

If you are a local, un-franchised, non-national, unique to Winnebago County business that resides in Winnebago County, you are encouraged you to attend this event in celebration of local businesses. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/471803176216224/ or visit www.winnebagobuylocal.com for more event information.

Posted Feb. 13, 2013