Photo: Contributed
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: shop local.
And this message will not self-destruct in 10 seconds for fans of the Mission Impossible franchise.
This mission is entirely possible.
Yes, the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s Mission Possible promotion is back in support of local tourism.
“Secret agents,” or shoppers, are urged to infiltrate Vernon’s tourism sector and show their support.
The second annual program runs from July 1 to 17.
“The inaugural Mission Possible was an overwhelming success, and we are excited to bring back a campaign that is fun, interactive and urges residents to be tourists in their own backyard,” chamber general manager Dan Proulx said in a press release.
“Much like the spies in the Mission Impossible TV show and movies, residents will use their sleuthing skills to locate ‘classified’ information at specific locations. Once that intelligence is gathered, they can enter for a fabulous prize. However, the big winner will be our community, as tourism is a significant component of our economy and tourism related businesses are rebuilding after two challenging years of the pandemic,” Proulx said.
Your mission will take you to at least one of four participating businesses: Allan Brooks Nature Centre, Davison Orchards, O’Keefe Ranch and Vernon Community Arts Centre. Once on site, find a secret code word and fill out a ballot. Participants can go to just one location or all four during the campaign, and multiple entries are encouraged.
“Once the case comes to a close July 17, the masterminds behind the caper will huddle at headquarters and draw the name of one individual, who will walk away with the Ultimate Staycation,” Proulx said.
“The pandemic revealed how supporting local builds a resilient and vibrant economy, and the goal of Mission Possible is to strengthen that trend into a movement residents embrace 365 days of the year,” Tourism Vernon manager Torrie Silverthorn said.
“And once residents become more familiar with what Vernon has to offer as a destination, they can share that information with friends and family visiting the North Okanagan. Mission Possible operatives become ambassadors for the entire community.”
All Biz Releases Stories
