HOLIDAY MARKETING AND GIFT CARD PROGRAM

This upcoming holiday season, we're taking matters into our own hands. We partnered with the Village of Oak Park to create a fun holiday marketing campaign to encourage shoppers to Keep the Cheer Here in Oak Park! We have an incredible gift card program that is completely free to opt-in, apply now! 

Are you a community member and want to know more about the Keep the Cheer Program? Click HERE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. What is the "Keep the Cheer Here" Holiday Gift Card Program?
The Holiday Gift Card Program is part of our "Keep the Cheer Here" campaign, aimed at encouraging local shopping during the holiday season. By offering a gift card option, we hope to make it easy for community members to support Oak Park businesses. Factor4 is our Gift Card Service Provider, and will be managing the operational component of the Gift card Program. Please consider their support team an extension of the Chamber. For any questions after being approved, they can be contacted via email at support@factor4gift.com or by giving them a call at (484) 471-3963. 

This program will officially launch on Small Business Saturday, November 30th, during our kick-off event. 

2. How can my business participate in the Holiday Gift Card Program?
You can sign up to be a participating business of the gift card program by submitting this application. You can also promote your business and include any special events, promotions, or sales happening through the holiday season by filling out this form.

3. Are there any processing fees or deductions from my earnings on the gift card sales by Factor4?
None! 

4. How are we reimbursed once the gift cards are redeemed at our store?

During the application process, you will be prompted to fill-in banking details. At the end of the month, you will receive a direct deposit of the amount redeemed. Any questions or difficulties with the gift cards, please reach out directly to Factor4, our gift card provider, via email at support@factor4gift.com or by giving them a call at (484) 471-3963. 

5. How do shoppers purchase gift cards to this program?
They can be purchased either online or at participating retailers and offered as physical or digital gift cards. 

6. How do I redeem gift cards from the "Keep the Cheer Here" program? 

We’ve partnered with Factor4 to manage the operational side of the "Keep the Cheer Here" gift card program, ensuring a seamless experience for businesses and customers alike. Gift cards can be redeemed through the Factor4 App, which offers flexibility to fit your existing point-of-sale (POS) system:

1. Using a Tablet or iPad: The Factor4 App is available for iOS and Android devices, making it easy to integrate with tablet or iPad-based POS systems.

2. Using a Computer: The app also has a web version accessible via any web browser, which works well with most computer-based POS systems.

3. Optional Processing Machine: If you prefer a dedicated machine for gift card processing, Factor4 offers separate processing machines available for purchase at an additional fee.

For questions about setting up the app or acquiring a processing machine, please reach out to us or contact Factor4 directly. We're here to support you in making the "Keep the Cheer Here" program as convenient and beneficial as possible!

7. How long are the gift cards valid for?
In perpetuity. 

8. How will the Chamber support my business with this program?
The Chamber is developing a full suite of marketing materials, including social media graphics, email headers, and display ads, all branded with the "Keep the Cheer Here" theme. You’ll receive these assets to use across your marketing channels, and we’ll also provide sample email copy for easy sharing- once you are approved for the gift card program! 

9. Is the Chamber or Village of Oak Park make money from having businesses participate?
Nope! Neither parties are making money from this initiative. This program's goal is to solely spur economic development.  

10. How can I promote the program in my store or online?
Once you are approved, we'll send over a window cling for you to display on your storefront to let customers know you are a participating business in this program. Along with this, you'll receive branded assets that you can display in-store, on social media, and in emails to use as you see fit. This will include ready-to-use graphics and promotional text to help your customers learn about the gift card program. You can find the website where upcoming holiday events and gift cards here. If you’d like additional assistance, the Chamber team is available to assist. 

11. What if I have a special event for the holidays or a sale for Small Business Saturday?
We encourage all participating businesses to share their holiday and Small Business Saturday events. Simply fill out the form, so your events are added to the Chamber’s calendar. This helps boost visibility and engagement for Small Business Saturday for all businesses in Oak Park as folks plan their holiday shopping for the season. 

12. Who should I contact if I have questions or need additional promotional materials?
Feel free to reach out to Michelle, the Chamber’s Marketing Manager, with any specific requests for additional marketing assets at mvalle-flores@oprfchamber.org. For any general questions or concerns, please reach out to info@oprfchamber.org. We will respond within 1-2 business days. Any questions or difficulties with the gift cards, please reach out directly to Factor4, our gift card provider, via email at support@factor4gift.com or by giving them a call at (484) 471-3963. 

Our team is here to support you, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if needed! 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EVENTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Don't forget to tell us about the cheerful events you're hosting by clicking onto "Submit Your Event Here!" below. 

UPCOMING ACTIVATIONS

We're supporting small businesses in our community with upcoming activations. It is our goal to strengthen our local economy and helps the businesses that make Oak Park special, thrive this holiday season and beyond! 

WINTER WONDERLAND POP UP (11/30-12/1)

Join us for our kick-off event happening Saturday, November 30th to Sunday, December 1st! Save the date for this surprise winter wonderland pop-up happening near you! 

We’ll be running three promotions during this special weekend including:

• Earn a $20 Gift Card: When customers bring in $200 worth of receipts from three or more Oak Park businesses.

• Receive a $5 Gift Card: For customers who post a photo of themselves shopping at their favorite store using #KeepTheCheerHereOP! 

• Free $10 Gift Cards: For anyone who purchases a $100 gift card through our Holiday Gift Card Program! 

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL MEDIA