Prizes encourage Christmas cheer in the city

PRIZES for Christmas windows will encourage traders to make central Geelong a festive season wonderland this year.
The Independent will give away weekly $1000 advertising packages to the business whose window wins the most public votes on the Indy’s Facebook page.
A gallery of shop windows will be posted each week, with readers encouraged to ‘like’ their favourite. The window with the most likes will win the weekly prize.
The competition will conclude with a Mayor’s Choice award of advertising worth $2500.
To enter, traders can begin sending pictures of their windows to editorial@geelongindependent.com.au on 3 November.
The first weekly winner will be revealed on 14 November and the Mayor’s Choice on 12 December.
The Independent is offering the prizes in support of Central Geelong Marketing’s Christmas Window Competition.
The competition will build on the excitement of the Myer Christmas Windows coming to Geelong for the first time this year, which the Independent revealed in August.
A free visual merchandising workshop will show city centre traders how to dress windows for Christmas.
Registrations for the workshop, at City Hall from 1pm to 2pm on 29 October, are available by emailing trainingexcellence@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Mayor Darryn Lyons urged city traders to get on board.
“The Christmas windows will be a drawcard for shoppers to take a closer look and bring more people into stores. It’s something we haven’t done previously, which is why I’m really excited about Christmas this year.
“Come on, Geelong, let’s show everyone we’re the best Christmas town in Australia.”