Downtown News & Opportunities

What is cross-promotion? When you trade your website links with another business and get them to put yours on their site, that's a simple form of this type of marketing.

Business is about relationship building, not only with your customers, but industry partners. Trade recommendations back and forth with reputable organizations that your clients could use to better their lives with.

In Downtown Red Deer, we try to cross promote other related Downtown Businesses and link companies together that could strengthen each other. One way is through providing support for campaigns where businesses come together-like our Time for Lunch Campaign and now the Downtown Bride. Have a great idea for cross-promotion? The Downtown Business Association wants to hear it. 403-340-8696

Downtown's

If you don't know me yet, I'm Rosie Red. Lover of all things Downtown Red Deer. Business promoter and Shop Local crusader.

Tweet me @DowntownRosie or let me know what's happening with your business so I can get the word out. I'm on Facebook: Rosie Red.

Countdown To Centrefest Presented by MNP

Hard to believe Centrefest is on it's way to the streets July 28 and July 29. We're searching for volunteers for many areas of the festival.

Currently we are no longer accepting vendor applications, and the lineup of talented, hilarious and original acts is firmed up.

Check out all the information regarding our 10th Anniversary Year at www.centrefest.ca

or at www.facebook.com/centrefest

Twitter @RDCentrefest

More Event Info may be available on the Community Events Calendar

Centrefest Late Night Adult Variety Show and Silent Auction July 28, 2012, 9pm

An all-adult show cabaret and fundraiser presented by Venture Tax & Accounting is going to shake things up at the City Centre Stage, 9pm, July 28. Tickets are $38.85 before taxes and available from the Black Knight Ticket Centre 403-755-6626.

See the cast of performers from Centrefest inside getting down (and maybe a little racy) for mile-a-minute laughs.

The evening will include silent auction items and raffle prizes. If you would like to pre-bid please contact sabrina@downtownreddeer.com:

Robin Sharma, author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and Fortune 500 leadership coach half day workshop at Serenity Ranch tickets value $600, starting bid $400

One hour with local singer Randi Boulton (Jann Arden is a fan of hers!) value $250, starting bid $100

Evening at the Red Deer Lodge with a meal for 2 at the BotaniCa Restaurant value $300, starting bid $100

Thank you to Housewarmings, Alta, Denim Shack, City Roast Coffee, Quenched, Edible Arrangements, Red City Donair, Crop Hair, Hudson Madison, Constellation Brands, Co-Op, Edible Arrangements for their contributions to the raffle. More are coming in daily, so if we left you out...thanks and we will tip our hats to you on social media.

If your business would like to participate, please call the office or email

The Downtown Business Association

403-340-8696

Care and Comfort at Comfort Keepers

In 1998 Comfort Keepers, an organization dedicated to help seniors all over the world, was formed. This company seeks to provide the aid to seniors that public health care is not able to. Today, they have over 700 independently owned offices worldwide. One franchisee, Terri Brigden, opened her branch in May 2011 in beautiful downtown Red Deer. Terri's vision and passion for her company was fueled when she took a leave from her previous job to care for her mother. Soon, however, she found that traditional health care did not provide the extra aid to daily living that was required to keep her mother in her home (instead of assisted living). This mobilized her application to be a Comfort Keepers owner.

This organization provides light housekeeping and other services such as educating clients and their families on nutrition and technology solutions such as personal emergency response systems and medication dispensers. However, the heart of a Comfort Keeper resides in providing companionship for the client. "We are about interactive care and NOT task-oriented care; we work with the client, not for the client," says Terri. Clients range from veterans, CNIB clientele, post-surgery patients, and seniors. One client in particular stays fresh in Terri's mind. "There's this 95 year old client who is so spry and full of wit. She has so many lessons to teach too. Every time I spend time with her, I walk away with a smiling heart." READ MORE HERE

The Downtown Bride

Do you know of a deserving young couple tying the knot or thinking of doing so? The Red Deer Downtown Business Association in conjunction with some notable downtown merchants has come up with just the right thing.
The Downtown Bride will be an actual title awarded to a young woman who bids the highest on this package of savings for her wedding.

So far, the Downtown Bride will enjoy:

$200 off of a dress of her choosing at I Do! Bridal Boutique and a $90 flower girl dress
up to $100 off her shoes at Great Strides and a purse (price to be determined)
$200 off flowers from La Petit Jaune Fleur
$200 off travel for a honeymoon from CanWest Travel
$50 off a three-tier (or more) cake from

Sugar and Spice

$55 "guest book" platter collectable keepsake from Hot Pot Studio
40% off a minimum $500 order from Twitchy Finger Photography

We are currently looking for a stunning Downtown location for the nuptials. Rosie wants to close down a street, but we'll see.
This promo is for someone that loves their city and wants a homegrown experience for their special day.

*If you are a business owner interested in joining the Downtown Bride Promotion, please get in touch with the Downtown Business Association*

All proceeds from the bidding will benefit Downtown Red Deer's premier outdoor event: Centrefest presented my MNP.