2021 Shop YXH Winter Campaign Collaboration

November 26, 2021

On Sunday, November 21, 2021, the team at Shop YXH hosted their Winter Campaign Photoshoot that will further support and promote businesses and creators in the YXH region.

The campaign photos feature over 25 local businesses and creators that will be used to book advertisements around Southeast Alberta, including billboards, print advertisements, and social media marketing.

“To see so many businesses owners and community members come together and collaborate on this large of a scale - really shows the power of collaboration, and it emphasizes the message that, when we work together, we have the opportunity to show a larger audience how incredible our region truly is,” says Jalyce Thompson, marketing and research, Shop YXH and Invest Medicine Hat.

The photoshoot took place at Country Garden Events, which is located on an acreage 10 minutes outside of Medicine Hat near Highway 3. On the property, a large, transparent dome that fits up to 50 people stands all year-round with tables, a fireplace, and a picnic-set-up inside.

“It was incredible to see this space used for the Winter Campaign to support other local businesses and creators in our region, and I also felt extremely supported by our amazing community being a part of the campaign,” says Clara Penner, owner, Country Garden Events.

Award winning and Accredited Member of the Professional Photographers of Canada, Schae Philpott, Schae Photography, was the sole photographer at the event and captured over 200 photos that focus on over 30 business products sourced locally from ShopYXH.ca businesses.

“Photographing these campaigns for Shop YXH makes me feel like I’m helping make a difference for small businesses in our region. These campaigns help give business owners access to professional photography, which is so valuable to help with branding and marketing,” says Philpott. “I truly am so thankful to be a part of this inclusive and unique project that shines light on our amazing entrepreneurs.”

Kelli Ireland, marketing specialist, Shop YXH and Invest Medicine Hat, says the marketplace has become a community movement to support local YXH businesses with free marketing, educational resources, networking events, and a marketplace that has global audience reach.

ShopYXH.ca was launched in December 2020, and any business in the YXH region can upload their products onto the marketplace for free and showcase their products and services to anyone in the world. Not only does the marketplace create an online mall or Amazon feel for consumers to easily find local businesses in the area, but it helps give businesses stronger SEO which improves the quality and quantity of website traffic to their business website.

“There is nothing that I love more than to be able to support the community I live in and its diverse group of local businesses,” says Ireland. “The Shop YXH brand is meant to encourage budding entrepreneurs and support existing businesses by providing the infrastructure and access to digital technology information. Being able to offer a free platform, marketing, and other resources, allows us to better communicate new trends and opportunities to the wider audience more efficiently which ultimately benefits individual local businesses.”

ShopYXH.ca currently showcases over 180 businesses and over 10,000 products and services. Most recently, Shop YXH also created an events page for local markets in the YXH region. Photos from the 2021 Shop YXH Spring Campaign can now be seen across Medicine Hat on billboards and busses.

“We also want to say a huge thank you to the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce. Without their contributions, doing this campaign would not have been possible,” says Ireland. “And we want to thank our ongoing community partners, Community Futures Entre-Corp, APEX Alberta and Local Shops. This entire project wouldn’t be where it is today without all of these organization’s support.”

ShopYXH.ca can be found online on Facebook, Instagram and www.shopyxh.ca/.