Office of Mayor Ron Gonzales

 
For Immediate Release                                 
November 8, 2001

San José Residents Asked to

Campaign seeks to boost support for local economy

            San José, California – In an effort to aid local businesses following the impacts of September 11, local community and business leaders are spearheading a campaign to boost support for the local economy.

“Reunite with Friends, Reconnect with San José,” kicked off today with a press conference at 5:30 p.m. held high above downtown San José. Mayor Ron Gonzales, Councilmember Cindy Chavez, and business leaders “threw the switch” to turn on a spectacular display of holiday lights on construction cranes and downtown sites.

The campaign encourages residents to support local businesses to strengthen the economy and to foster a renewed sense of community in San José. “Reunite with Friends, Reconnect with San José” is being led by the City of San José, the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, the San Jose Downtown Association and the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“Now is a good time to rediscover our own community here in San José, to reunite with family, friends, and neighbors, and reconnect with our local businesses,” said Mayor Gonzales.  “We count on visitors and tourists to help keep our economy strong.  Whether business travelers or family from out of town, every visitor contributes to our economic health.”

According to the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, visitors and tourists spent more than one billion dollars here last year, which translates into jobs and opportunities for San José residents.

Key to this effort are promotions and special incentives being offered by San José merchants as a means to restore economic activity.  This is especially critical for the local travel and hospitality industries, which have been significantly impacted by the recent tragic events.

The “Reunite with Friends, Reconnect with San José” effort encourages residents to rediscover San José by visiting great museums, excellent restaurants and the performing arts.  During the holidays, downtown San José will come alive with events like the Holiday Parade, Christmas in the Park and Downtown Ice.

As part of the “Reunite with Friends, Reconnect with San José” campaign, new entertainment such as street performers will fill the season with magic, song and dance as downtown visitors stroll the paseos.  Neighborhood business districts also will be participating with special events and promotions.

“For those who haven’t been downtown in awhile, it’s a good time to check it out,” said Gonzales. “It’s time to rebuild and restore, time to reunite and reconnect, and time to rediscover your own community and to celebrate the best of San José.”

Residents can check out the promotional offers from many local merchants at www.sanjose.org, the website of the San Jose Conventions and Visitors Bureau.

Businesses interested in participating in the “Reunite with Friends, Reconnect with San José” campaign by offering special incentives, can contact the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau at (408) 792‑4198, or via the web address listed above.  The campaign is expected to run through March 2002.

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San Jose City Hall      801 N. First St., San Jose,  CA 95110      tel (408) 277-5131  fax ( 408) 277-3131     www.ci.san-jose.ca.us