All,
Welcome to the VisitUnion blog - a place for us to post meeting notes, links to online resources, and share documents that will facilitate our collaboration. Additionally, I've registered the domain visitunion.com for us and set-up hosting for a web site under that URL - as I mentioned all for free.
Over the course of the weekend and the run-up to next Thursday's meeting, I'll be emailing you all some additional thoughts about what we discussed Wednesday night - as I hope you all will be as well. In the meantime, the below aren't exactly minutes per se, but some lists that I took down in the meeting of some critical items. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all Thursday from 9am-1PM at Bonnie's beautiful place.
Collateral Marketing Materials that were mentioned:
- Monthly or quarterly events newsletter or flyer
- Postcards to help others introduce friend and family to Union
- Rack cards for each of us (and one would assume, racks themselves)
- Visitor Information Center info books/binders
- Passport/Visitor Guide (which I would design I think so that our RackCards could be stuffed into them as inserts, per George's suggestion)
We seemd in agreement on the development of:
- A web site to serve as a central clearing house for potential visitors and a universal call to action on collaborative marketing (as in, for more information, go to www.visitunion.com)
- Welcome signage at all town entrances, as well as visitor information signage at info stops throughout town - the initial list of which included: The Cameo, the Resort, the Alderbrook Country Store, the Marina, Robin Hood Village and Hunter Farms.
- A coordinated PR Campaign that would target the travel & lifestyle sections of Dailies, specific long-lead glossy magazines, and specific Broadcast including NPR and Northwest Magazine.
Events we discussed as possibilities included:
- Various contests
- The weathervane promotion
- A potential Kayak festival with collateral cycling and running events
- A Cook-off of some sort
- A potential collaboration/partnership with the car clubs that use the stretch throughout the summer (particualrly the Yesteryear club to which Lynn is affiliated)
- Arts/historical/musical mini-festivals
- A tour of homes
- A potential rename and relaunch of Union Days
Action items:
- We all seemed agreed that we wanted to collaborate with the Chamber on getting flower baskets up. Given her past experience, I'm wondering if we could ask Bonnie to drive this task? Bonnie?;
- Linda Helms, Valerie Wagner and Suzie Strugar all expressed interest in attending the Tribal Tourism gathering, May 4 & 5;
- Matthew will be touching base with Tom Strong with the Skokomish Tribe, and Leslie Johnson of the Squazin Tribe, to let them know our plans and invite their involvement; Linda Helms will do the same with Roslyn Reed of the Skokomish Tribe;
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What a great meeting last night! I’ve been involved with different associations throughout the years, and rarely have I ever seen a group move so fast and with so much focus! Echoing what was said from several people yesterday, usually it does take a long time to get things accomplished, but not here. In considering the marketing components, I feel it is noteworthy to investigate and discern who our target audiences are. Those drawn to Union (and who will come back again over the years) are going to naturally be drawn, not only to the outdoors and it’s beauty, but also to the artistic charm and historical value of Union. Being Washington’s States first Artist colony has a built in marketing factor, as do the sports and outdoor aspects. Those that participate in outdoor sports are usually individuals that are educated, have disposal income and appreciate nature as well as art. Port Townsend, Poulsbo and Gig Harbor all have mountains, water and nature, as does the entire region. So what makes Union different? What sets it apart? Incorporating the natural elements of the outdoors in the marketing is a given, but adding that special extra touch, the one that gives a distinctive flavor, I feel will be what draws people here and helps them to remember Union. The Torii, being a unique and symbolic image of Union’s history speaks to the welcoming atmosphere and the enchantment of this tiny town. This meaningful, graphic signature, could be one of the unmistakable characteristics, that sets Union apart from it’s sister artistic towns in the Olympic Region. I’ve rarely met a lover of nature that didn’t have a connection to art on some level. I believe our target audiences are also individuals who are, insightful, curious and lovers of life. While the Torii, may be “Asian” in design the symbolic nature of it’s meaning is amazingly cohesive with the name Union and the welcoming attitude of the businesses and residents of this “scared space”. I don’t know about you, but the minute the wheels of my car hit Hwy 106 and I’m “on the canal”, I feel that ahhhhhh, moment. There is a peace about this place and peace is created by the attitude of acceptance. The Torii stands in monument to that. I’m taking a grant writing class at Evergreen State College this semester. I will have to write several grants as part of my participation. I would like to offer writing them for the benefit of Union. Just an idea, but what if we could have the money to create our own new Torii Gate a place for everyone to step through… to Union
ReplyDeleteThat would be "sacred space" for all you who caught that error
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