WINDHAM — Bob Yates knows lakes region residents are aware that his Sears store exists because it’s where they return the tools and televisions they buy at the Sears in the Maine Mall.

“People drive past us and go to Portland” to buy things, he said Tuesday.

Yates believes there’s a perception that the bigger stores have a better selection and lower prices but that’s not always the case.

“How do you get them to stay in town?” he said.

The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce has come up with a new plan to make residents more aware of the services and products that are for sale in their region, and give them reasons to shop locally.

The chamber’s Retail Committee, formed at the beginning of this year, presented that plan Tuesday morning to representatives of about two dozen local businesses, including a frame shop, a flag store, a day care and insurance companies.

The forum at Genest Landscape & Masonry in Windham was meant to generate feedback about the buy-local plan.

Strategies include starting a regional marketing campaign, holding workshops on how to use social media, and organizing promotional events such as sidewalk sales or business expos.

Barbara Clark, executive director of the chamber, said the region has long promoted itself as a tourist destination, which has helped the hospitality industry. The focus of this effort is the year-round businesses that rely on Maine residents’ money.

“(The goal) is to get people from outside our area (to come) here and get people who live here to shop,” she said.

By creating a business network, companies can share stories about what has worked for them to bring in more customers. They also can join to offer deals and discounts that are good at stores throughout the area – and give shoppers incentives to make more than one stop.

John Chaisson, a retail sales consultant at AT&T in Windham, said customers often reveal a lot of information about themselves while they talk about their cellphone needs.

“We know their whole life story in 30 minutes,” he said.

Because of that, he can find out what other purchases they might make that day. If he had a coupon book for other stores in the area, he would encourage them to shop there.

“I can say, ‘Here’s 10 percent off, go see them,’ ” he said.

Staff Writer Leslie Bridgers can be contacted at 791-6364 or at: lbridgers@mainetoday.com