About AMIBA
The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) is a non-profit organization helping communities launch and successfully operate an Independent Business Alliance® (IBA), "buy independent, buy local" campaigns, forward pro-local policies, and other initiatives to support local entrepreneurs and vibrant local economies. We are a network of, by, and for the community organizations and trade groups that comprise our membership. While AMIBA primarily serves U.S. communities, we are happy to help people wherever they reside.
These IBAs are based on a model we pioneered in 1998. Since 2001, IBAs have formed in a diverse range of communities and are playing a crucial role in keeping opportunities alive for entrepreneurs, building more self-reliant and durable communities, and engaging citizens in guiding their community's future. These Alliances already have inspired numerous similar organizations that comprise a key component of a growing Localization Movement.
AMIBA exists to help local IBAs succeed through networking them to
share ideas, developing and sharing resources, and advising on
operation and strategy. We provide presentations and trainings for individual communities as well as trade shows and conferences to help new Alliances launch or enable individual businesses to engage in effective public education work.
We provide consulting services and produce custom materials for municipal governments, independent trade associations, Main Street and downtown groups, selected local chambers and others. (See our merchandise page for materials ready to use without customization.) Our bi-annual Go Local, Grow Local conference enables business owners and leaders to learn from each other, develop larger-scale collaboration and build a more cohesive Localization Movement across all business sectors.
AMIBA's Roots
In 1997 two Boulder, Colorado residents — one a local independent bookstore owner, the other a concerned citizen, decided to counter the trend of chains, absentee-owned companies and online mega-stores taking larger market shares, while opportunities diminished for local business owners. They gathered with other citizens and business owners to devise a proactive strategy for helping the community preserve its character and sustain local entrepreneurs. The first Independent Business Alliance was born.
The initial sell was tough; being the first of its kind, the idea was untested. Once several of the community's landmark businesses were aboard, attracting others became easier. After two years the Boulder IBA had a coalition of 150 community-based businesses and had succeeded in creating a culture of support for local independent business through public education, collaborative efforts among the coalition, and inserting itself into local policy discussion.
Being local became hip. Non-affiliated businesses
and even franchises began using "local" as a marketing tool. The chain-owned daily newspaper touted a local
business advertising page and routinely provided an independent business perspective
in its articles. Conversation on the street regarding the importance of "going local" was overheard commonly, and discussion in the letters section of the newspaper became frequent.
After receiving more than 100 inquiries about the IBA model from communities nationwide within those first two years, the directors determined the time had come to launch AMIBA to address the interest.
The directors of the Boulder IBA today direct AMIBA, offering their unrivaled experience in helping more than 80 IBAs, as well as dozens of other pro-local initiatives across North America.
AMIBA is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. AMIBA's IRS 501c3 determination letter (pdf).
AMIBA Policies:
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