Small Business Saturday is an annual tradition that brings communities together to celebrate and support local shops, creators, and services. As a Chamber of Commerce, you're at the heart of making this event a success by rallying the community to shop local. Whether it's your first time organizing or you're looking to level up this year's event, here are 7 creative ways to use Proxi Maps to make Small Business Saturday a memorable day for everyone involved.

1. The Classic Shop Local Guide - Upgraded!

If there’s one tool that can truly elevate your Small Business Saturday event, it’s a Shop Local Guide Map. This interactive, digital guide helps shoppers easily discover and navigate participating businesses in your area, turning what could be a stressful day of hunting for deals into a seamless and enjoyable experience. But why exactly should your Chamber of Commerce invest in creating one?

Let’s break it down!

Small Business Saturday is all about encouraging people to support their local shops. But here’s the challenge: many shoppers might not even realize the variety of amazing small businesses right in their own backyard. A Shop Local Guide Map solves this by:

• Increasing Visibility: Many small businesses may not have a strong online presence, so mapping them out helps put them on the radar. This guide brings all participating stores into one easy-to-navigate place, helping shoppers find exactly what they're looking for.
• Simplifying the Shopping Experience: In today’s busy world, convenience is everything. Shoppers are more likely to support small businesses if they can easily find deals, store hours, and directions all in one place. An interactive map provides an effortless, all-in-one solution that makes exploring local stores fun and efficient.
• Encouraging Exploration: Many shoppers tend to stick to the stores they already know. But with an engaging map, you can inspire them to explore new businesses they’ve never visited before. It’s like a treasure hunt for great finds, which can translate into more foot traffic and sales for local shops.
• Building Community Engagement: A well-designed map doesn't just help businesses—it creates a sense of community. It’s a powerful tool for Chambers of Commerce to connect local shops, restaurants, and services with residents. Shoppers feel more invested in supporting businesses they know are part of their local economy.

Setting up your Shop Local Guide Map with Proxi is a breeze, even if you're not tech-savvy:

• No Code Needed: Quickly create maps using Proxi’s intuitive tools, whether adding points one-by-one or through bulk uploads.
• User-Friendly Navigation: Shoppers can easily explore the map, click on points for details, and access it on mobile for on-the-go use.
• Customization: Add your Chamber’s branding, colors, logos, and even highlight areas with shapes to make the map uniquely yours.
• Effortless Sharing: Distribute the map via a link, social media, emails, or QR codes to reach shoppers wherever they are.
• Track Your Impact: Use Proxi’s analytics to see clicks, conversions, and impressions, helping you fine-tune your event strategy next year.

Ready to get started? Use our Shop Small Business Saturday Template to create your map in no time!

2. Check-In Challenge - Turn Your Map into a Shopping Passport!

Take your Shop Local Guide Map to the next level with a Check-In Challenge. This exciting, gamified approach makes shopping feel like an adventure, encouraging participants to explore as many local businesses as possible. Here’s how it works: shoppers "check in" at participating stores by scanning a QR code or clicking a digital marker on the map. Every check-in brings them closer to winning fun prizes or entry into a raffle.

But why should your Chamber consider a Check-In Challenge? 

• Drive Foot Traffic: The thrill of collecting check-ins motivates shoppers to visit more stores than they might have otherwise. More visits mean more sales for your local businesses!
• Foster Community Engagement: It’s not just about shopping—it’s about creating an experience. By turning Small Business Saturday into a community-wide event, you build stronger ties between local businesses and residents.
• Boost Shopper Loyalty: Rewarding shoppers who check in at a set number of locations with exclusive discounts, gift cards, or special offers can encourage repeat visits. It's a great way to thank customers for their support while promoting continued engagement.
• Make Shopping Fun: Let's face it, holiday shopping can be hectic. Adding a game-like element to the experience keeps it light-hearted and fun, making shoppers more likely to stay out longer and explore new stores.

Looking for inspiration? Check out how Buy Blue Springs’ Passport Challenge boosted community engagement with a similar approach.

Pro Tip: Use Proxi’s analytics to track check-ins and see which stores attract the most traffic. This data can help you refine your strategy for future events and highlight participating businesses that deserve a special shoutout!

3. Curated Interest-Specific Shopping Guides

Make holiday shopping even more personalized by creating interest-specific maps tailored to different passions. Whether it’s “Foodies,” “Outdoor Enthusiasts,” “Pet Owners,” or “Vintage Lovers,” these curated guides help shoppers quickly find stores that align with their interests. Using Proxi, you can showcase participating businesses that cater to these niches, turning Small Business Saturday into a more engaging and targeted experience.

Boost Shopper Satisfaction: When shoppers can easily find stores that match their interests, they’re more likely to explore and make purchases.

Drive Niche Traffic: By highlighting specialized shops, you can draw in customers who might not have known these hidden gems existed.

Pro Tip: Take your interest-specific maps to the next level by partnering with local influencers or community experts. Let them design their own “Shop Local Guides” with their personal recommendations. For example, a popular food blogger in your town could create a map featuring their favorite cafes, bakeries, and specialty food shops. Or, a fitness enthusiast could curate a guide to the best outdoor gear stores, yoga studios, and healthy eateries.

4. Shop & Sip Tour

Elevate the Small Business Saturday experience by combining shopping with socializing through a Shop & Sip Tour. This festive event transforms your local shopping district into a bustling, holiday-themed experience where shoppers can not only find great gifts but also enjoy seasonal treats. Use a Proxi map to highlight participating shops, cozy cafés, and local eateries offering festive drinks like hot cocoa, mulled cider, or holiday-themed cocktails.

Imagine this: Shoppers can stop by a boutique to find the perfect gift, then pop into a nearby café for a peppermint mocha before continuing their shopping adventure. It’s an experience that turns holiday shopping into a festive outing, encouraging people to spend more time exploring your community.

Pro Tip: Incentivize purchases by partnering with local cafés or restaurants to offer exclusive deals. For instance, shoppers who show a receipt from a participating store could get a free holiday drink or a discount on a treat. This not only boosts sales for retailers but also drives traffic to local eateries, creating a win-win for businesses across your community.

5. Best of Community Choice Awards - Celebrate Local Favorites

Bring some friendly competition to your holiday season by organizing a Community Choice Awards event. Use Proxi to create a voting map where shoppers can cast their votes for standout businesses in categories like "Best Customer Service," "Best Holiday Display," or "Most Unique Gifts." This interactive map drives engagement by letting the community have their say while encouraging exploration of local shops.

Why Host Holiday Community Choice Awards?

• Highlight Local Excellence: Recognizing top businesses boosts their visibility and encourages even more support from locals.
• Increase Foot Traffic: Award-winning stores often see an uptick in visits after being recognized, turning votes into visits!
• Foster Community Spirit: People love rooting for their favorites. This contest strengthens ties between businesses and their loyal customers.

Pro Tip: Announce winners on your social channels and website to boost excitement. Highlighting these businesses can drive even more foot traffic and build anticipation for next year’s awards!

6. Window Display Contest - Light Up Your Main Street

Add a festive flair to your downtown with a Window Display Contest mapped out on Proxi. This interactive guide helps shoppers explore beautifully decorated storefronts, turning a simple shopping trip into a magical, holiday-themed tour. The community can vote for their favorite displays directly on the map, making it an engaging way to celebrate local creativity.

Why host a Window Display Contest?

• Enhance the Holiday Atmosphere: Vibrant displays add charm to your shopping district, drawing in more visitors.
• Support Local Shops: Participating businesses get increased exposure as shoppers come to see the displays—and stay to shop!

Pro Tip: Partner with local media or influencers to feature standout displays and share behind-the-scenes looks. This generates buzz and encourages more people to explore your downtown. Plus, a little friendly competition among stores never hurts!

7. Community Giving & Donation Map

Encourage the spirit of giving alongside holiday shopping with a Community Giving & Donation Map. Highlight drop-off locations where shoppers can contribute toys, coats, canned goods, or other items for local charities. It’s a meaningful way to engage the community while supporting local businesses.

You can approach this in two ways:

• Create a Standalone Giving Map: Feature all charitable locations and participating businesses focused on community support.
• Add Donation Stops as a Filter on Your Shop Local Guide: Seamlessly integrate giving into your existing shopping map, allowing users to find donation spots as they shop.

Pro Tip: Leverage your Chamber’s social media and newsletters to highlight participating businesses and their charitable efforts. Share heartwarming stories to inspire shoppers to get involved and make a difference.

Make This Small Business Saturday Unforgettable with Proxi!

By leveraging the power of Proxi Maps, Chambers of Commerce can elevate their Small Business Saturday events, encouraging the community to shop small, explore local businesses, and make a positive impact. Whether it's through a check-in challenge, themed shopping guides, or supporting local charities, Proxi's tools make it easy to create engaging, interactive experiences.

Ready to boost your community’s holiday shopping spirit? Get started with Proxi today and watch your Small Business Saturday transform into the highlight of the season!