Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
FRENCH LICK – A new rewards program in Orange County is encouraging people to Live Like a Local while exploring the area’s sights, tastes, lodging and shopping options.
Sponsored by Visit French Lick-West Baden, Orange County’s tourism information office, Live Like a Local goes live March 31. Participants earn points when they check in to participating businesses and use eligible discounts on purchases. As points accumulate, they are eligible for prizes.
The program runs through March 2024 and will culminate with a grand prize giveaway that includes a two-night stay at the French Lick Resort or West Baden Hotel and $500 in local gift cards. Total prize value is $2,000 and will be drawn in April 2024.
Thirty-three businesses are participating, each will display a poster indicating their participation. Each business will have a discount or special offer that users can redeem.
Signing up is simple. With a smartphone, users can scan the QR code at any participating business.
Brandy Ream, executive director of Visit French Lick-West Baden, said Live Like a Local is similar to other “passport” promotions that encourage users to take in experiences while earning rewards.
Ream said she was looking for something to drive traffic to Orange County businesses outside of the busy weekends and peak times when she came up with the idea for Live Like a Local.
“The goal is two-fold,” Ream said. “It’s something to reward our locals for supporting our businesses, whether it’s restaurants, attractions or lodging and to drive business to our Orange County businesses.”
Once a person scans the QR code and enters their information, they can begin using the passport immediately.
“It’s all digital and you can do it all on your phone,” she said.
A second phase of Live Like a Local is a perk for employees who work in the hospitality and tourism sector in Orange County. Nearly 1,500 jobs are tied to hospitality and tourism in Orange County.
Hospitality employees will receive additional discounts when they use their passport. That part of the program will launch in June.
“Tourism is vital to our county and we couldn’t do what we do without the valuable hospitality staff members,” Ream said. “They are the face of our community, exemplify Hoosier Hospitality and allow our businesses to flourish. We are appreciative and thankful for those that help us all succeed.”
Ream said the businesses are enthused to be part of Live Like a Local.
“People are excited for something new and excited for us doing something to drive business and to be able to reward their customers,” she said. “We’re excited and ready to get it up and going.”