HomeMy WebLinkAbout03A SR Step-Up-To-The-Table Social Media CampaignSTAFF REPORT
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEETING DATE: December 22, 2020
PREPARED BY: Thomas Soule, Tourism & Marketing Manager
REQUEST: Informational update on the Step Up to the Table Palm Desert Social
Media Campaign.
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Strategic Plan
This item has no direct bearing on the Strategic Plan.
Background Analysis
Restaurants are the Palm Desert community's lifeblood, providing both tax revenue for
the City and acting as a primary driver of jobs in the service industry. The City’s
restaurants, however, have been hard hit by State and County COVID-19 pandemic
guidelines.
As a way to support these restaurants and other small businesses under the Unite Palm
Desert umbrella, the City is supporting a “Shop Palm Desert” campaign in conjunction
with the El Paseo Parking & Business Improvement District and the Palm Desert Area
Chamber of Commerce.
Last week, with support from the City, an established grassroots initiative was launched
called “Step Up to the Table Palm Desert,” as a means to provide a lifeline for
independent Palm Desert restaurants that have had to shut down outdoor dining during
the normally lucrative holiday season.
Based on a national campaign that began in Orange County, “Step Up to the Table”
centers around three simple steps:
1. Purchase gift cards or pick up a meal from your favorite restaurant.
2. Take a photo or video and share on social media using the hashtag
#StepUpToTheTablePalmDesert.
3. Challenge others by tagging them to Step Up to the Table as well.
December 22, 2020 - Staff Report
Informational Item: Step Up to the Table Palm Desert
Page 2 of 2
The campaign is simple in its execution and encourages community support that flows
directly to restaurants. A recent National Restaurant Association survey reports that
42% of respondents said they planned to give someone a restaurant gift card during the
holidays, with 62% saying that such a gift card would be a welcome present.
For restaurants, these gift cards represent a dual benefit of immediate cash flow and
future business. For recipients, they are a reminder that wonderFul meals at our favorite
restaurants are something to look forward to. As a premiere dining destination in the
Coachella Valley, Palm Desert certainly offers many opportunities for residents to Step
Up to the Table and support their favorite restaurants.
Fiscal Analvsis
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
LEGAL REVIEW
DEPT. REVIEW
FINANCIAL REVIEW ASSISTANT
N/A
Robert W. Hargreaves
City Attorney
Mav�ti,v� ALvtwen
Martin Alvarez
Director of Economic
Development
Interim City Manager Randy Bynder: ,�aKd,�y bncy�den
N/A
Janet M. Moore
Director of Finance
CITY MANAGER
N/A
Andy Firestine
Assistant City
Manager
CITY COUNCILACT�ON
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