Promotion

Our promotion programs encourage local shopping, bring visitors to town, and engage residents

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Emporia Main Street's PROMOTION programs are run by a committee of volunteers along with Main Street staff. Our promotion activities are focused on drawing visitors through year-round events, promoting local shopping, and marketing Downtown Emporia as a destination.

Emporia Main Street hosts or supports over 40 events each year. Our largest event, the Dirty Kanza Finish Line Party, brings over 10,000 visitors to downtown Emporia. Our Midnight Madness shopping event boosts sales at retailers throughout Emporia. All of our events promote a positive image of our community to both visitors and residents.

Whether we're putting on an event or reaching out through marketing, our promotion activities are designed to encourage economic activity and investment in our community.

 

Promotion Programs

Events

Emporia Main Street and the Promotions Committee host some of Emporia's biggest events, drawing thousands of visitors and locals each year. View our event calendar to see what's next.

Traffic Builders

Our events are designed not only to elevate the community, but also to provide exposure and foot traffic to our member businesses. Learn more here, and then contact us to register for an event!

Marketing Opportunities

Let us help promote you! Get your business in front our followers and other members.

Gift Certificate Program

Our gift certificate program is free for member businesses and encourages local shopping.

Interested in Joining the Promotions Committee?

The Promotions Committee is great for those who like to help to plan events! Click the button below if you'd like to join!

Promotion Education

The BIG Push: Christmas and New Year’s both are almost here.

By Jessica Buchholz | December 20, 2024

Calendar quirks can significantly impact holiday sales. This year, both Christmas and New Year’s fall on a Wednesday. Mid-week major holidays can provide specific challenges for businesses, shoppers, staff, and outbound communication. It is vitally important for businesses to understand how to adjust to the calendar to maximize traffic and sales. Here are a few…

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Making Spirits Bright! Creating a Fun & Festive Holiday Atmosphere for Your BusinessMaking Spirits Bright!

By Jessica Buchholz | December 6, 2024

The holiday season is here, and it’s the perfect opportunity for small businesses in Emporia to create a magical atmosphere that delights customers and energizes employees. With a little creativity, you can transform your shop into a festive wonderland that spreads holiday cheer while also boosting sales. Here are some practical ways to cultivate a…

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The Reasons for Shopping Local (and locally owned). A Healthy Community Starts with Smart Consumer Decisions.

By Casey Woods | December 6, 2024

Emporia Main Street supports local shopping all year long. Through events, marketing assistance, access to data, gift certificate programs, and a variety of other initiatives we encourage local citizens to shop local and locally owned. Our organization works hard to place visitors immediately adjacent to our unique local businesses to facilitate in-store traffic and boost…

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4th Quarter Primer: Getting ready for the most important time of the business year.

By Jessica Buchholz | October 1, 2024

The last quarter of the year is that magical time where events get crazy, consumers have additional spending motivations, the hours get longer, and the length of days/weather can drastically change your outreach strategy. With everything going on, it’s easy to forget some of the basics necessary to enhance your sales and traffic. Let’s cover…

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Local SEO Optimization for Small Businesses. Getting noticed online is a key to driving in-store traffic.

By Casey Woods | October 1, 2024

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for small businesses, especially in local communities like Emporia, Kansas. Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a powerful tool that can help your business stand out to potential customers searching for products or services in your area. This article will define what local SEO…

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Tools, techniques, and strategies to prepare for the school year!

By Casey Woods | August 1, 2024

As we gear up for another academic year, Emporia Main Street is excited to share some effective back-to-school strategies to help our entrepreneurial businesses and area non-profits thrive. With new students, faculty, and staff joining our community, it’s the perfect opportunity to create lasting connections and establish shopping, usage, and volunteer patterns. Encourage Shopping with…

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