After marketing the City of Fresno for over 15 years; I do not believe that having a brand slogan or a new logo is going to encourage visitors to our city, but marketing to conventions and travel agencies will. Get back to basics, the Fresno CVB should be inviting our conventions back to Fresno again not spending our tax dollars on marketing companies.

I think you bring up some really good food for thought. I think especially the question of how many people really care where they live is an interesting question. Maybe most don’t care or maybe they have just never been asked to care or given a reason to care? Either way, it would seem to me that if Fresno is ever to get to where you and I wish it would, we need more people to care.

I also thought the angles of the different types of people was interesting as well. You are right, the experience is going to be different for each person and the message will probably need to be tailored that way as well. It is such a complex issue and I am just now really starting to think critically about it. A bit late I know, but better late than never. I appreciate all you do and I have listened to the podcast several times. I’d be happy to chat with you guys on the podcast anytime.

I think the most important thing is the conversation on how to fix these issues can’t stop. We need more voices and more ideas. I feel strongly, the solutions are out there. We need to have a freedom to suggest ideas, thoughts and concerns.

this issue has so many facets to it, and the more i think the more i wonder about each new angle. in this post, you’re talking about fresnans falling in love (or at least like) with fresno, and that being the base of our ability to promote fresno. i agree, but i also wonder if people really care where they live. i mean, how many people in city x really go, “i love city x.” or do most go, “hey, i live here,” or something like that?

so i started thinking about different angles to that question. some of it may be answered by why you came to the place you’re at. some break down on that, and possible options for each

-native of city x – ambivalent – it’s someplace to live
– likes/loves – this is my city and i enjoy it
– hates it – i can’t wait to escape even if i never do

-expatriot of city x – ambivalent – meh, i used to live there, wev
– like/love – i miss that place, and wish i were there
-hates it – that place sucks, which is why i left, i love (allegedly) where i am not

-newcomer/adoptee to city x – ambivalent – you got it, it’s someplace to live
– like/love – i chose this place, or moved for work, and i’ve bought in to what this place offers
– hates it – i moved here for work/family/whatever and wish i wasn’t here.

okay, when these options are out there, it doesn’t look as different, but within each there are varying degrees, and even other answers. i think we don’t even need to really move everyone to the like/love position. i think we just need to get more people at ambivalent, at least those that are here. those that left will think whatever they want, and like someone trying to fit in they’re often going to slight whatever they left behind, so who cares. we can look at honest complaints and address issues, but any changes we make should be done to improve the lives of those here. and not for the sake of some marketing campaign.

i’ll stop for now.