Don’t expect a group of Chatham-Kent citizens to head to Toronto in the near future to make fun of that city from a busy street corner.
Kevin Owen, a board member with Promote Chatham-Kent, a not-for-profit corporation developed by local volunteers, said the “Not Toronto” idea is just that.
“It was an idea we were kind of throwing around. We brought it to the mayor’s attention and asked what he thought of it,” Owen said. “It’s still really in a planning stage. We haven’t committed to it.”
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He said Promote CK is looking to market Chatham-Kent to Toronto to entice residents to move to Chatham-Kent.
“We’re looking for young entrepreneurs,” he said. “Is that how we’re going about getting them here or getting their attention? We aren’t 100% sure. We haven’t met to discuss plans for the past couple of weeks.”
Owen said the media attention set the group back a bit in terms of planning, but reiterated more discussion must take place before anything is decided.
He added the focus from the media here in Chatham-Kent and the feedback from the public has him thinking the idea has potential.
“With this concept of negative marketing, we’ve got some people’s attention,” he said. “In Chatham, that’s all I’ve been hearing about. It’s got people’s attention and we didn’t even pay anything for it.”
Owen was a bit surprised at the backlash from people in the community in terms of the idea, but wonders if citizens thought the municipality was footing the bill for the event.
“I think people were a little bit misinformed. They thought it was the city’s money and they were paying city workers to do this,” he said. “I think if they knew it was a group of volunteers using mainly raised funding and a very low budget, I’m not sure they’d be complaining, as they don’t really have anything to complain about.”
But the public feedback has Promote CK members seeing a new pool of people from which to draw ideas and assistance.
“If any of those people who were a bit negative about our idea would like to join up and give us a hand, great,” Owen said. “If they want to do something positive, please join up and help.”
Owen said Promote CK has discussed a number of different ideas on how to go about enticing people to come here from Toronto. He’s one of the people who likes the guerilla, tongue-in-cheek concept of heading to that city’s core and poking fun at its faults.
“Chatham has a lot of things that Toronto doesn’t. And Toronto has a lot that Chatham doesn’t,” Owen said. “But for those looking for a way out of Toronto and can’t afford to live there, we have a lot to offer.”
He said the cost of starting a business here should be very enticing to entrepreneurs.
Mayor Randy Hope said he’s glad the group, whose principal supporters are the Chatham Kent Home Builders and the Chatham Kent Real Estate Board, came forward.
“It’s important that everyone come forward,” he said. “It gives everyone better perspective of the issues and how we can deal with growing our community.”
I think a great next step would be to engage the local community with a conversation about what really makes Chatham-Kent unique – some research that can feed the development of true insights that will feed the strategic development planning process. Engage and empower your community to be part of the process. No matter how this is being funded the Brand of Chatham-Kent belongs to the community and the leadership should be protecting their interests. Not letting special interests groups take the process "offline". See Chatham-Kent as a trademarked brand that needs the approval/oversight of the community leaders to protect the long-term viability and strategic approach on how we raise our awareness and build this brand in a way that brings the right people to this community. Only trying to help. A community engaged, empowred and part of the fabric is the most powerful way to develop a brand and marketing strategy. This step back is a great thing. No matter how it came to be.
Owen… we do have something to complain about regardless of who is footing the bill, and that is that your campaign will reflect on all of us. I personally don't agree with the concept, and would certainly not want my name attached to it. So – if you choose to go ahead with it, please note on all materials that you don't speak for Rob. – Thanks