BOSTON, Oct. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Promoboxx, the only brand-to-retailer commerce platform, announced McLain Cycle & Fitness as the winner of the 2017 Local Business of the Year award, which recognizes a small business for its unique and valuable impact on its local community. This year’s winner was announced at the fourth annual Aligned Conference, the only conference that brings together brand and retail marketers across industries to empower their independent, specialty retailers and shape the future of retail marketing. The Local Business of the Year award, now in its second year, gives retailers the opportunity to tell their stories and rewards them for their outstanding work and commitment to their communities.
More than 60 submissions came in from across North America representing a diverse and innovative array of industries, including appliances, audiology, automotive, cycling, farm feed, flooring, furniture, footwear, outdoor, pet care, and more. In each submission, local businesses shared a short story highlighting the authenticity and originality of their business and its community impact. Each story was intrinsically unique and incredibly inspiring. A panel of Promoboxx retail support experts selected three finalists for this award: The Gray Mill, LaFontaine Automotive Group, and McLain Cycle & Fitness. This year’s winner, McLain Cycle & Fitness, received the most votes through online voting open to the public, including attendees at the Aligned Conference. Their submission was supported by Specialized Bicycle Components.
"We are proud to support McLain's digital and social marketing through Promoboxx," said Dave Massey, Market Development Manager at Specialized Bicycle Components. "McClain has worked incredibly hard to increase local brand awareness and sales, and they truly deserve this award."
McLain Cycle & Fitness is an independent, cycling retailer that has been a pillar of community involvement across Traverse City and Cadillac, Michigan for almost 40 years. McLain Cycle & Fitness gives many local children the opportunity to ride a bike through their involvement in a variety of programs, including:
- A children’s bicycle trade up program through McLain locations, where parents can put the cost of their initial bicycle purchase towards the child’s next bike.
- A donation program that gives outgrown bicycles from the children’s bike trade-up program to non-profit organizations, with an average of $20,000 worth of bikes donated every year.
- A partnership with local non-profit Norte Youth Cycling to provide children with free access to bicycles and teach them how to ride bikes.
- A reading incentivizing program in local schools to reward children who meet reading goals with a free bicycle from their kids bike trade up program.
- Sponsorship and support for many local bike races, tours, and community bike rides.
McLain Cycle & Fitness puts their community first, and Promoboxx is proud to award them the 2017 Local Business of the Year.
“We are so proud of our staff and our awesome community that makes this whole program come together and be a success,” said Kris McLain co-owner of McLain Cycle & Fitness. “We also want to thank Promoboxx. You have helped us elevate our digital marketing quickly and easily, and you make us look good!”
“McLain Cycle & Fitness embodies the heart, passion, and local commerce success that can truly uplift a community. We are excited to continue watching them grow,” said Dan Koziak, VP of Retail Support and Co-Founder at Promoboxx. “The award nominations from local businesses across North America reaffirm Promoboxx’s continued support of small businesses in helping them become stronger marketers.”
To learn more about the 2017 Local Business of the Year winner and finalists, visit our blog, or to learn more about the Aligned Conference, visit www.alignedcon.com.
About the Aligned Conference
The Aligned Conference, presented by Promoboxx, is the only national conference that brings together today’s most iconic brands to develop marketing strategy and alignment between national brands and their local retailers. Now in its fifth year, Aligned is attended by retail, brand, digital, trade, and field marketers across multiple industries to shape the future of retail marketing. For more information, visit www.alignedcon.com.
About Promoboxx
Promoboxx is the only brand-to-retailer commerce platform that connects and aligns national manufacturing brands with independent, specialty retailers to increase local awareness and sales. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Promoboxx partners with leading brands, including Nissan, GE Appliances, New Balance, and The North Face, to transform the way retailers and brands market together at a local level. For more information, visit www.promoboxx.com or call +1 (800) 380-7502 x3.