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Atalig wins Chamber ‘CNMI Buy Local’ campaign
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Posted on Dec 04 2020
Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s “Buy in the CNMI” campaign winner Michelle Atalig and the photo entry that won her $500 worth of gift certificates. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Docomo Pacific People operations manager Michelle Atalig was named winner of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce “Buy in the CNMI” campaign, which encouraged the community to support local businesses, artists, and vendors by making local purchases. Atalig was awarded $500 worth of gift certificates from different Chamber member establishments at the SCC membership meeting held Wednesday at the Grand Ballroom of Hyatt Regency Saipan.
“I first heard about the ‘Buy in the CNMI’ Campaign during SCC’s November general membership meeting. I felt like it was a great campaign to direct buyers to go to local businesses for goods and services and give buyers incentive by making a social media challenge out of it,” she said.
“With the economic climate now, small businesses are hurting in unprecedented ways. Where we usually look to small businesses to sponsor events, causes, and even people, small businesses are now looking to us to keep them afloat. That really put things into perspective for me,” she added.
The mechanics of the campaign asked participants to post a picture at one of the Chamber member establishments, post it on Facebook or Instagram with a caption explaining why it’s important to “Buy in the CNMI” in the post, and tag SCC. The winner was randomly selected and no purchase was necessary to enter or win but Atalig went the extra mile.
“I just finished making a purchase of a charger base and cord… the photo I submitted was of me holding a Docomo bag with friends Jacquelyn Ocaya and Rica Concepcion….I am happy to support our businesses and I plan to do more of it this holiday season,” she said.
“I want our CNMI economy to thrive and so I encourage others to support small businesses especially now. Small businesses thrive on our support more so now in the absence of our tourism market. The consequence is we risk temporary and/or permanent business closures,” she added.
A campaign that started with helping out the community will end with Atalig sharing her reward to others as well. “I’m not usually one to win anything so I was very surprised. I fully intend to pay this forward and help one or a few in need using the prize I will receive,” she said.
