Atlanta has long been known as the shopping capital of the South, but the members of the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau are working hard to highlight the unique shopping and consumer opportunities available in our corner of the metro-area.

"Find it All Roswell is a partnership between the City of Roswell, the Roswell CVB and the Roswell business community", according to Dotty Etris, executive director of the Roswell CVB.

She added that the purpose of the initiative is to "raise awareness of the business community in general." Currently, more than 300 businesses are currently listed in the Find it All directory.  

To partner with Find it All Roswell, business owners must have a Roswell business license, operate within the city limits of Roswell and pay taxes to the City of Roswell. For a $50 annual fee, participants are included in promotional efforts, regularly scheduled social and networking events and are included in the savings card program. 

The Find it All savings card offers patrons incentives each time they visit Roswell-area merchants. Business owners may offer discounts, gift wrapping or free or reduced services to card holders. The free cards are available at the CVB and more than 87,000 cards will be mailed to Roswell residents through January 2011. Beginning in January, business owners can also opt to offer printable coupons on the Find it All Roswell website.

When Robin Donovan moved her already successful Farmhouse in the City party and play business to Green Street in Historic Roswell from Alpharetta in April, she said she immediately chose to partner with Find it All Roswell.

"The Roswell community is so close-knit," Donovan said. "Find it All has helped me connect with the community quickly."  

Donovan said that the networking events have been a positive way to help her feel connected to the business community. The free events, known as Roswell Connect, are open to Find it All participants and any interested members of the Roswell business community, giving those with business interests a way to mix, mingle and network in a relaxed environment.

According to Roswell City Council member Betty Price, the purpose of the Find it All Roswell initiative is to "promote businesses that are in Roswell and remind people that they don't have to go elsewhere" for consumer goods and services.

Etris also said that especially during the holiday season, when consumers are shopping more often and working with tighter budgets, Find it All is working to promote support of the local economy and remind residents they can "find what they need without wasting gas."

Visit the Find it All Roswell website for more information and to view current savings card deals.