Go Local, an independent business alliance dedicated to creating connections for businesses with other businesses, services, resources, new customers, non-profits, and local government for a stronger and more vibrant community with sustainable economic viability, will host ‘Tacoma Shift Happens 2012’ on Mon., Jan. 30 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, 1500 Broadway, in downtown Tacoma.

The free event begins at 4 p.m. with a local food and beverage extravaganza happy hour, followed by the main program, including the 2011 Pledge Grand Prize Giveaway, Indie Awards, and Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland’s State of the City Address. Additionally, more than 100 unique local independent businesses, non-profits, and artists will participate in a local vendor showcase.

Earlier in the day, Go Local will offer four Sustainable Smart Labs for $10 per person beginning at 1 p.m. The line-up of Smart Labs and topics include the following: Expanding Tacoma’s Entrepreneurial Potential (1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.); Unlocking Your Situated Advantage: the hidden wealth potential of body, place, and commons (2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.); Customer Acquisition Tool Box (3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.); and Becoming a BEST Business (3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.).

For more information about Tacoma Shift 2012, visit http://tacomashifthappens.com .