aderfp633
Inscrit le: 27 Sep 2011
Messages: 7915
Localisation: England
|
 Posté le: Lun Sep 30, 2013 10:43 am Sujet du message: Branding bass among ideas proposed for anniversary |
 |
|
roanoke.com
Swim over, Splash : There could be a new fish in town.Except for an appearance on the Smith Mountain Lake Chili Festival logo, Splash, a striper that has been the unofficial mascot for the lake since the late 1980s, has sunk into oblivion.Replacing Splash with a more up-to-date fish that can be used for branding was one of the suggestions cast about during a community meeting on Aug. 21 to discuss the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the lake. About 40 people attended the meeting at Westlake Library, organized by the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.The anniversary of SML won’t be observed until 2016, but Vicki Gardner,[url=http://woolrich-outlet-online.blogspot.com]Woolrich Outlet[/url], the chamber’s executive director, said she wanted to get an early start by getting community leaders together to discuss the events and business opportunities that the anniversary will present.“Informal discussions about the 50th anniversary have been ongoing for a couple years, but this meeting is the first concrete step to begin to get ideas and organize as a community. The golden-anniversary celebrations can help us promote the lake to a broader audience and attract additional visitors,” said Gardner.Appalachian Power began construction on the Smith Mountain and Leesville dams in 1960; construction was finished in 1963. The date — March 7, 1966 — when the lake was filled or reached full pond is the one that the chamber recognizes as the anniversary.“We want to keep this thing moving forward,” said Gardner. “There are so many moving parts.”Those who gathered to present their ideas represented a broad cross-section of the lake community — local government officials, business owners, members of the public, media and civic organizations, Gardner said. They divided into four groups to mull suggestions with facilitators Jerry Hale of Seatow, marketing; Annette Stamus, SML Regional Chamber of Commerce, media; Roy Enslow of Bridgewater Marina, business; and Larry Jackson of Appalachian Power, SML historic.Gardner said a series of celebration events to mark the anniversary will extend from April 2015 through March 2016.In addition to a new mascot, other suggestions on how to observe the occasion included a retro-themed gala; creating and auctioning a 50th-anniversary quilt; holding a panel discussion featuring long time residents; displaying historic photos; decorating the Virginia Dare and other boats with the anniversary logo; tagging 50th-anniversary fish that would earn a cash award when caught ; and holding an anniversary festival.It was suggested that well-known annual events such as the SML Wine Festival, SML Charity Home Tour, poker run and business expo also could incorporate a 50th-anniversary theme.Getting back to the bass, it was proposed that the creation and display of a giant fiberglass largemouth that would become the permanent symbol for SML could create a number of merchandising opportunities for businesses, according to Gardner. That type of branding has proved successful in other localities: What the mermaid is to Virginia Beach and the cow to Chicago, the bass could be to SML.Gardner said Splash, who appeared in print and around the lake dressed in a bright-green costume, was created by local artists as part of a celebration in 1989.The fish has not been officially retired, but it hasn’t been spotted recently, Gardner said.“He’s sort of here in spirit,” she added.
_________________
People watching the forthcoming beginning of the German half of the inhabitants of Berlin are no interested in co-optation |
|
