About Buy It Local Omaha
1. What is the Buy It Local Omaha organization?
Buy It Local Omaha (BILO) is a non-profit organization designed to both (a) educate the local consumer on the advantages of buying products and services from a local business, and to (b) connect the local consumer and business, as well as local businesses with each other, by offering various services. Among other things, BILO seeks to educate the community as to how a larger share of dollars spent at a local merchant remain in the local community, which results in a stronger local economy and community for all residents.
2. What is the BILO mission and what are the benefits to members?
Buy It Local Omaha's (BILO) mission as a non-profit organization is designed to (a) educate the local consumer on the advantages of buying products and services from a local business, (b) connect the local consumer and business, as well as local businesses with each other, by offering various services and networking opportunities for the entire community, and to (c) stimulate the local economy through these efforts. Buy It Local Omaha will operate in the best interest of the members and consumers in the Omaha area to improve the growth of small businesses which in turn will promote overall growth in the community.
Members will generate solidarity and a presence in the local community through cooperative advertising of the BILO campaign, exclusive membership directory services on the BILO web site, local website search tools for member products and services, community website networking for higher visibility to the consumers, membership kits to include campaign stickers and promotional material, loyalty programs for Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer, networking opportunities and a centralized voice for small business advocacy rights within governmental agencies.
By joining BILO, you show your support and identify yourself as a local business owner to the community and the local consumers.
3. Who can join BILO?
Any business or organization that is privately held, and a majority of the ownership is in Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Dodge, Pottawattamie or Mills Counties, collectively. The Board of Directors and/or membership committee may elect to impose additional requirements.
4. What are the membership dues?
Annual member dues are as follows:
Simple Membership - FREE
Includes: Counter cards describing BILO and BILO window decals
Monthly member networking meeting for connections
Name of company listed on the BILO website
Standard Membership
$75.00 - 1 – 5 employees
$125.00 - 6 - 10 employees
$175.00 - 11- 20 employees
$225.00 - 21 – 30 employees
$275.00 - 31+ employees
$100.00 - Non-profit organizations
These levels include: All Simple Membership Benefits as outlined above
Name of company listed on the BILO website with link back to member website
Annual presentation of business for 3 minutes with exhibit space
Employee numbers are based on full-time equivalent. Member dues are collected at the time the membership application is submitted. If for some reason membership is declined, member dues will be returned.
Sustaining Membership
$500 – Copper: (Includes annual membership with all member benefits)
All Simple and Standard Membership benefits included
Acknowledgment in BILO brochure throughout the year in Copper category
One Video promotion on social media sites: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
$1,000 – Bronze: (Includes annual membership with the following member benefits)
All Copper Membership benefits included
Two Video promotions and Recognition sign in registration area
$2,500 – Silver: (Includes annual membership with the following member benefits)
All Bronze Membership benefits included
Five Video promotions and Special signage at monthly member meeting and BILO events
$5,000 – Gold: (Includes annual membership with the following member benefits)
All Silver Membership benefits included
Ten Video promotions & Donor recognition at all BILO events with exhibit space for literature
$10,000 – Platinum: (Includes annual membership with the following member benefits)
All Gold Membership benefits included
Large sign at BILO member meeting and BILO events listing company and logo
Complimentary mailing list of all BILO meeting BILO event attendees
One time use of BILO mailing list to promote an exhibit booth or other event
Twenty Video promotions on social media sites: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
Event Sponsor (Events occur 2-4 four times annually)
$500 /event
Name of company/logo on website as a sponsor of stated event
Name/logo on all materials purchased distributed at the event
Donor recognition on all advertising materials purchased for event
5. What must I do as a member?
To remain a member, you must maintain good standing in the local business community. Also, members are encouraged to promote the BILO mission with their peers and customers, and to participate in internal and public meetings.
6. What if I decide to cancel my membership?
Members may cancel their membership at any time. Dues already received are non-refundable after member application and fees have been processed. Members can be dismissed by the Board of Directors for behavior detrimental to the organization and similar reasons.
7. What voice will I have as a member?
Members can join BILO committees and elect members to the Board of Advisors. Committees, which will also have directors and officers on them, will have input into the organization's decision-making. Committee members will be given special recognition on the organization's website. The Board of Advisors serves as a liaison between the members and the board of directors, and is another body through which members can have input into the organization's strategy and decisions.
8. What makes the BILO organization unique?
BILO is different than any other networking or local municipality. BILO believes local businesses are a positive driving force in the community’s economy and through cooperative efforts, the business community can positively influence consumers towards a higher economic yield. The organization will ensure public involvement and support through consumer networking, loyalty programs and promotions, consumer aided tools to make informed buying decisions, and higher local business visibility.
9. What BILO is NOT?
1. Not a Chamber of Commerce. While our mission is similar in looking out for the overall well being of a community through expanding commerce, the BILO mission is focused on the diversity and higher economic yield that a small business brings to the community. Sustaining small businesses in the local market and educating the public on the differences in the value small business brings is a fundamental differentiator. We can do this by breaking down barriers and emphasizing the value to the public and other target audiences.
2. Not a TIPs Group. While it is natural to build relationships with the other members and do business or gain leads through these relationships, it is not BILO's primary focus.
3. Not a networking group. Again, it is natural to build new relationships within any organization, BILO is not a traditional networking organization limited to one business per industry. Our power is in numbers and this organization’s mission to create opportunities for the consumers within the community. By creating a central repository of like and diverse businesses creates an environment of competition which in turn keeps prices competitive and the economy strong. Sharing information and ideas can only lead to innovation and a larger more diverse opportunity within the community.
4. Not a small business education center. BILO is not an education center for how to run your business. While you might meet people within the organization that can help you with your specific needs, BILO will defer education on Entreprenuership to the experts like our local SCORE chapter, or the SBDC, NBDC centers. We will embrace their efforts and create partnerships with organizations like these but will not focus our efforts on teaching a small business owner how to run their business.
5. Not a recruiting center for business. Another major difference between the Chamber of Commerce and BILO is we will not be looking to recruit industries outside of the metro area to locate here. While this is a valuable mission, it is not our mission. BILO will nurture existing and new small businesses that exist in the area and work hard to retain those small businesses through our combined efforts within the organization.