Chattanooga, Tenn. — April 17 — The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce launches Chattanooga To Go, a buy local campaign to continue promoting small businesses as we look forward to the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a part of the campaign, the Chattanooga Chamber asks Chattanooga area businesses to engage with social media audiences using the hashtags:
- #ChattanoogaToGo
- #TakeoutTonightCHA
- #Chattanooga
- #ConnectCHA
- #ChattanoogaChamber
- #Buylocal
To participate, post a picture of you or a business owner delivering goods using all recommended safety precautions – at least 6 feet away, with each person wearing a mask (if possible) and add a hashtag. Then, challenge three friends or co-workers to do the same with at least three more people.
To support our local business community, the Chattanooga Chamber is providing a directory of local businesses offering safe options during this crisis. This directory includes restaurants and retail operations offering takeout, curbside pick-up and delivery options. Entertainers and instructors offering virtual or online options and more. For a list of participating businesses, visit the ChattanoogaChamber.com Chattanooga To Go Directory. If you would like your business to be included in the directory, fill out this form. Chamber membership is not required to be included in the directory or to take part in the Chattanooga To Go campaign.
“More than 90 percent of our Chattanooga Chamber members represent small businesses. We care deeply about all of our businesses and the employees and families who depend upon their success. That’s why we’re providing all the resources we can to prep our businesses for the recovery phase,” said Christy Gillenwater, President and CEO, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Chattanoogans are resilient and we will weather this together and come out stronger on the other side. This effort took great collaboration and we appreciate the partners who made this possible,” Gillenwater said.
The Chamber will also spread the word about the campaign through other forms of media including newspaper ads, TV and radio spots and more. Community partners on the Chattanooga To Go campaign include: The Johnson Group, Reagan Outdoor Advertising, Chattanooga Times Free Press, The Sasha Group, Chattanooga Tourism Company, J103, WTVC News Channel 9, WTCI (PBS), WRCB-TV, Brewer Media, Cumulus Media Chattanooga, Entercom, WDEF Radio and Sinclair Broadcast Group of Chattanooga.
Together, we can work to support our local businesses and boost the economy during the COVID-19 crisis.
###
Chattanooga To Go FAQ
Why is the Chattanooga Chamber promoting a to-go economy?
More than 90% of our members are small businesses who need our support during this time, We were already in the process of putting this together when several local collaborators approached us. This is truly a community-wide effort on behalf of our local businesses, especially small businesses who need the most help now.
How can I participate?
The purpose of the campaign is to encourage the community to support small businesses by shopping safely.
Chamber members and other local businesses can participate by engaging with their social media audiences under the #ChattanoogaToGo hashtags and challenging others to do the same. You can share your post on a variety of platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
If you don’t own a business, you can participate by posting a picture of yourself shopping to-go at a local business.
What organizations are you partnering with you on #ChattanoogaToGo?
The campaign partners with a variety of organizations and people in the Chattanooga area, including local businesses, Chamber members, INCubator clients, elected officials and community leaders. Community partners on the Chattanooga To Go campaign include: The Johnson Group, Reagan Outdoor Advertising, Chattanooga Times Free Press, The Sasha Group, Chattanooga Tourism Company and Chamber media partners J103, WTCI (PBS), WRCB-TV, Brewer Media, Cumulus Media Chattanooga, Entercom, WDEF Radio and Sinclair Broadcast Group of Chattanooga.
What kind of businesses receive exposure through this campaign, besides restaurants?
We encourage any business that can safely offer a to-go service to join the campaign. That could be online shopping, virtual classes or coaching or takeout food.