8:15am | Long Beach, like much of the country’s larger cities, has to make due with what little one has. With our city’s unemployment hovering continually around 10%, it is imperative that innovative solutions be harvested in order to not just save money, but generate money to contribute back.
Two years ago, Michelle Manire faced this problem with an idea that was nothing particularly new: a city-wide pass that would provide discounts to consumers and drum up traffic for businesses. Her business, CTC Destination & Meeting Management, was originally geared towards conference crowds that held large gatherings at venues like the LB Convention Center and the Performing Arts Center. Clients repeatedly approached her, asking her to somehow provide them with discounts so they could explore the city while visiting. This is where the spark lit inside Michelle’s head to not only create a discount program for visitors, but for citizens as well.
Enter the long creation of the Long Beach City Plus Pass (LBCPP).
“The goal of the LBCPP is essentially three-fold,” Manire told the Post. “It’s primarily driven by the need to provide assistance to consumers and merchants alike who are feeling the downside of the economy. We also have a non-profit aspect to it, where users of the card can designate a participating non-profit they would like to support. In return, we’ll donate ten dollars from the cost of the [yearly 3o-dollar] card fee.”
It is this type of simple idea — paired with a sense of innovation — that helps foster accessibility and business within Long Beach. While the card may sound like a typical buyer-card, Manire is clearly aiming for the city as a whole: merchants can join for free, the discount must be at least 20% or more, visitors can purchase monthly cards, and non-profits are encouraged to add their name in support to drum up funds from the cards. It becomes a marriage of encouraging business while supporting the community and its citizens.
If a single discount card is what it takes for LB’s citizens to further explore this city and generate business, then for Manire, it is entirely worth the time and effort to invest in such an endeavor. In essence, the card aims to not just save one money; it attempts to engage the city with its citizens.
The two-year project now boasts some 150 merchants, where buyers can save on everything ranging from acting classes to architects, candy to coffee. “[Before launching the card,] we wanted to make sure we had an amount of merchants that consumers would appreciate and connect to. We even have an app coming out shortly to help consumers access and find their discounts,” Manire continued, as her and her associated prepare for the official launch of the card today.
For those interested in knowing more about the LBCPP or signing up for one, please visit www.lbcpp.com/.