Westport as a Technology Port/Hub

I might have added this as a "comment" to the notes, but decided I wish to solicit comments specific to this thought.

Westport is privileged to have the home office of Chazy & Westport Telephone Corp., part of Westelcom, one of the leading technology companies in the region. A "port" or "hub" takes on another meaning here and, I believe, one we would be remiss if we failed to incorporate in our discussions and planning as we move forward. 

Please take a quick peak at a website that I feel could be cloned to show Westport as a Port/HUB. Nodes could encompass our diverse themes in a technologically cleaver way. This would be very iPhone, iPod touch friendly as well. 

WESTPORT CREATIVE GROUP MEETING 11/18/08

Kimberly Rielly, marketing wizard

Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union
518.585.6725  x2303

Visit us online at tfcuNOW.com

Objective: Per a sneak-preview of the agenda for the meeting on the 25th, we attempted to prioritize 2-3 themes for next week's meeting with Jim McKenna, choosing one theme/brand under which the other themes could be folded.

Consensus by the end of the meeting:

Overall theme:  PORT/HUB

Discussion led to this umbrella theme, which plays off Westport's "accessible" attribute. (Westport is the easiest town to access from I87, Amtrak stops here, working waterfront welcomes boaters from Lake Champlain, the Lake Champlain bikeway goes right through town, many Adirondack destinations are less than an hour away, etc.).

Other related terms were "Port of call", "crossroads", "jumping-off point".

It's a flexible brand that will allow us to allude to other sub-themes- the "hub's" spokes:

RECREATION

INTERACTIVE HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE

(Chris can clarify; interaction within historic venues.  Eg: depot, library, fairgrounds, Inn, marina – all historic buildings that are being used – visitors can interact and experience these historic buildings in a contemporary, working setting.)

ARTS/CULTURE

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Other notes Kim took:

Culture/quality of life
A large number of artists choose to live here – why? Maybe there's a way to highlight the cultural aspect from the perspective of the quality of life that draws so many artisans to the area. In my personal opinion, it is a combination of several of the area's attributes; access to (hub) unique cultural outlets/experiences/ opportunities – Depot/Meadowmount; the spectacular landscape provides inspiration; safe, quiet.

Nov. 8 Branding Initiative

A big Thank you to all who gave up a valued Saturday.  The general consensus is that it was worth it.  All in all, this was yet another high energy conversation that just keeps moving forward.  Yes, some of it was repetitive of our previous meetings, but the difference here is that now we are getting very close to a marketable product.

As you know, we are now at the stage where a smaller group is going to take the attached raw data to the Creative Staff at the Visitors Bureau of Essex County.  This will be an important event that will narrow down all that we have put together.  VERY IMPORTANT: Please take a minute to review the attached raw data.  We need to hear from you very soon if any of the following apply:

If something you deem important did not make it to the compilation
If you feel particularly strong about an entry, or particularly against an entry
If you have thought of something since our gathering this past weekend

If any of the above apply please let Molly know and the data summary will be updated to reflect your comments.  I see our smaller group meeting with the VB in the next week to ten days, maximum.  Meanwhile, thanks again to Joe Lathrop who facilitated this process so well and who put up with our bumps and bruises.....Also, by signing in to the meeting you have now been added to The Marketing Group e-mailing list.  Should you wish to be removed, do let me know.  Take care and thanks again, Molly, Dee and the gang

{Added by Wm McHone}

Here are a couple links and an address you may be interested in:

Joe Lathrop, jlathrop@ocg-intl.com website: www.ocg-intl.com

Normandie Beach Club
Your Place in the Sun!
(518) 962-4750
(518) 962-2050 fax
www.normandiebeachclub.com