Be easier to discover
Build a business profile that helps residents understand what you offer and how to reach you.
Built for Durham Region businesses
Big local prizes. More reasons to shop local.
Durham Connect turns business memberships into community contests—and purchases the winning products and services from participating Durham businesses.
- 35% Community Prize Commitment
- Unlimited promotions
- Contest eligibility included
More reasons to shop localDiscover. Visit. Earn. Return.
35%Community Prize Commitment
Membership revenue comes back to Durham
Your membership helps create contests people notice.
Durham Connect commits 35% of eligible business membership revenue to community contests and draws. Prizes are purchased from participating business members—businesses are not asked to donate them.
At 2,500 annual business members$747,500 in membership revenue could direct approximately $261,625 toward locally purchased prizes.
Illustration based on the standard $299 annual rate, excluding HST, refunds, and chargebacks. Actual totals depend on paid membership mix and collections.
More than a listing
A local growth platform built around action
Visibility matters, but action is what grows a business. Free contest entry attracts residents; business discovery, promotions, and optional shop-local points give them reasons to keep using Durham Connect between draws.
Your membership at work
Practical ways to grow your local reach
Put your business in front of people who live, work, and spend in Durham Region.
Run unlimited promotions
Create as many offers, events, launches, and updates as you need, with up to five active promotions at a time.
Be automatically eligible
Active members are considered for applicable contests without donating a prize or paying an additional participation fee.
Choose points participation
Opt into the points program when it suits your business and give members another reason to choose participating local shops.
See what gets attention
Business tools and performance insights help you understand activity and make smarter promotions.
Strengthen the local economy
Your membership helps build a community platform that keeps discovery, spending, and opportunity local.
The Durham Connect advantage
A community loop where everyone benefits
Businesses make Durham Connect useful. Every member can enter contests for free. Major locally sourced prizes attract attention, while profiles, promotions, and optional points encourage residents to discover participating businesses, shop locally, and return.
Your membership does more than advertise your business. It helps create the activity that brings local customers back to the platform.
- 1Businesses joinLocal profiles, offers, and experiences give residents more to discover.
- 2Contests create excitementFree entry and substantial local prizes encourage residents to register and participate.
- 3Residents shop localMembers visit participating businesses and earn points on eligible purchases.
- 4Local businesses growMore discovery and repeat activity can create new leads and sales.
Your products can become the promotion
Prizes that point customers back to local businesses
Durham Connect pays selected participating businesses for the products and services supplied to winners. A premier contest—such as a $50,000 backyard transformation—could showcase and pay several local members while inspiring residents to discover more businesses across Durham.
Simple, complete membership
Every standard feature is included.
All business members receive every standard feature available today and standard tools added in future releases. Optional services specifically classified as premium can be added for a fee.
Start your business registration- Public business profilePresent your business, services, contact details, images, and locations.
- Unlimited promotion creationKeep up to five promotions active at one time.
- Optional points participationQR, employee scanner, transaction, and performance tools are included.
- Automatic contest eligibilityDurham Connect pays selected businesses for winner products and services.
Flexible
$34.95 / month
Month-to-month access to every standard business feature.
Choose monthlyAnnual
$299 / year
Equivalent to $24.92 per month and approximately $120 less than monthly billing.
Choose annualLimited to the first 100 approved annual members
Become a Founding Business.
Founding status is assigned automatically—no code or special application. Complete annual checkout and, while positions remain, your place is confirmed after business approval.
$249first year
Renews at $299/year
Claim a founding positionRenews at $299/year
- Permanent Founding Business recognitionA distinctive badge on your approved public profile while membership remains continuously active.
- Premium platform tools includedDurham Connect-developed premium platform features at no additional charge, subject to the founding terms.
- Propose contest ideasSubmit products, services, themes, and local contest concepts for Durham Connect to consider.
- Early access and a voicePriority onboarding, beta access, feedback opportunities, and founding-member communications.
Premium inclusion applies to Durham Connect-developed platform features. Third-party fees, advertising budgets, physical goods, professional production, additional locations, and other direct-cost services are excluded unless specifically stated. Benefits are non-transferable and require continuous active membership.
Good to know
Questions business owners may have
Who can join Durham Connect?
Businesses with a location in Durham Region can register. Every business is reviewed before its profile becomes active.
Do I need a separate account?
No. If you already have a Durham Connect member account, you can sign in and add your business to it.
How does billing work?
Choose $34.95 monthly or $299 yearly recurring billing. Eligible founding annual members pay $249 for their first year and renew at $299/year. Prices exclude applicable tax and are confirmed securely in Stripe Checkout.
Do businesses have to donate contest prizes?
No. Durham Connect purchases selected prize products and services from participating business members according to the applicable contest arrangement.
Is points participation required?
No. Points participation is optional. Every eligible resident member can enter contests without a purchase, while the points program is designed to encourage continued local discovery and shopping.
Does membership guarantee sales?
No marketing platform can guarantee results. Durham Connect gives your business more ways to be discovered, promoted, and included in local shopping activity.
Let’s grow local together
Make your business part of what Durham discovers next.
Join the businesses helping turn local attention into local action.