4/18/12 Update: Article in the local paper about the Cashmob:   http://www.conwaydailysun.com/index.php/businessx/local-business/89447-cash-mob-lifts-local-business Stay tuned for more information on the next one in May.

Joe Viger, VP of Business Development first learned about a Cash Mob in Portland, Maine.  He loved the idea and brought it back to Echo with the idea of starting one in the Mt. Washington Valley.   So what exactly is a Cash Mob?  Well, Wikipedia defines it like this:

A cash mob is a group of people who assemble at a local business and all buy items from that business. The purpose of these mobs is to support both the local businesses and the overall community. They may also serve a secondary purpose in providing social opportunities. They were inspired by flash mobs.

So on Wednesday April 11th, Echo decided to sponsor one for its employees.  At 9AM on the 11th, a local business name will be drawn out of a hat.  Then Echo employees will be given at extra 30 minutes break time during the day to each spend $20 at that business.  The first one Echo is sponsoring, providing the cash, and then after that the company hopes that the idea will take off on its own and employees will continue the tradition, spending $10 or $20 of their own money in future cash mob events in the Mt. Washington Valley.

“It’s a really fun idea that Joe brought back to the office,” remarked Director of Marketing, Paul Kirsch.  “Echo has been a business in the Mt. Washington Valley for over 30 years and has always been supportive of local businesses.  The company already gives us an extra day off to work on any community service project of our choosing.  This cash mob idea is another great way we can  help give back to the community we all live in.”

Echo will be announcing the business that will be cash mobbed at 9AM on the 11th and posting it right here on the Echo website and also on our twitter feed @echosoftware.

Can non-Echo employees join in the fun?

Echo is sponsoring Echo employees but there’s nothing to stop anyone in the community from participating.  Just check here at the website at 9AM to see the business that was picked.  Then spend $10 or $20 or whatever you can afford at that business today.  Make sure to tell the business that you’re there as part of the Mt. Washington Valley Cash Mob.

The Business that’s picked for the first MWV Cash Mob is Sherman Farms!