New West businesses and nonprofits are resuming their efforts to win thousands of dollars in services.
Sisters Sage, New West Hospice Society, New West Farmers Market, Barley’s Homebrewing Supplies, Sew Good, Florezca Designs, Laughter Zone 101, MOVE Studio, Mila + Paige clothing boutique and IMPACT Parkinson’s are the Top 10 semi-finalists competing in the Level-Up My Brand 2020 competition. The semi-finalists were supposed to showcase their businesses and chat up judges at a showdown event on April 1 at 100 Braid St. Studios, but it was cancelled because of COVID-19.
Rich Patterson, one of the co-founders of Level-Up My Brand contest, said all 10 semi-finalists are eager to continue, and all of the sponsors have agreed to continue with their support.
“After a COVID- related hiatus, the Level-Up My Brand organizing committee is pleased to be back on track to awarding a 2020 winner,” he said. “We realize the time to help a deserving small business or non-profit is now. We have all gone through a very trying 90 days, but we thank all the sponsors, semi-finalists and community supporters for sticking with this. We wish all the semi-finalists the best of luck.”
Instead of the showdown event, a second questionnaire has been circulated to the semi-finalists for the last stage of the selection process. The Level-Up My Brand committee, plus guest judges Erin Jeffery and Kendra Johnston from the local business improvement associations, will review and score the responses.
The grand prize winner, as well as two runners-up, will be announced live on the Level-Up My Brand page on Facebook on June 29. For more information, visit www.levelupmybrand.ca.
Earlier this year, Patterson told the Record that local businesses use their areas of expertise to help out other community organizations. Level-Up My Brand aims to help an organization that may not have the skill-set, time or budget to market themselves.
Here’s what’s up for grabs in this year’s contest: a promotional product (swag) package from PattersonBrands ($2,500); print/digital advertising from the New West Record ($2,500); purpose discovery, design philosophy and brand voice from WestCoastBrand Management ($2,000); video production from CrowMotel ($2,000); New Westminster Chamber of Commerce membership for any size organization, with unlimited event access for one ($2,000); storybrand script consultation by JG Branding and Marketing Consulting ($2,000); a branding audit from WebbCreative ($1,000); website service from Kamikaze Consulting ($1,000); print and packaging services from Glenmore Printing ($750); an office party catering package from Amaranthus restaurant and Steel & Oak Brewing Company ($700); a vehicle wrap/vinyl signage from Canawrap ($500); an accounting consult with Seymour Gardner Accounting ($500); and lunch with Mayor Jonathan Cote.
The Uptown and Downtown business improvement associations provided funds to help organizers run the contest and cover event incidentals, such as food, beverage and space rental. Now that the organizers are unable to hold an event, Patterson said they will be returning the unused portion of funds to the BIAs.
