HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Community Imaging Project Plan Review
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date:
Meeting Type:
Department:
Staff Contact:
S P R I N G FIE L D Staff Phone No:
C I T Y C 0 UN C I L Estimated Time:
ITEM TITLE: COMMUNITY IMAGING PROJECT PLAN REVIEW
May 19,2008
Work Session
CMO
Niel Laudati J1;(
726-3780 / (I
20 Minutes
ACTION
REQUESTED:
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
Discussion about the Community Imaging Project survey results and review of the
draft marketing plan to support Springfield's 125th anniversary.
In preparation for the city's 125th Anniversary (Feb. 25, 2010), the City engaged
. the services of The Ulum Group, to facilitate a Community Imaging Project to
better understand who we are and who we want to be. This work was divided into
phases, including research, analysis, and the development of a plan with
recommended strategies, tools and tactics for communicating the city's image
throughout its anniversary year tp support its economic development efforts and
foster positive community relations.
This is a community project to gather current perceptions of Springfield residents
and employees of Springfield busiJ.1esses. One-on-one stakeholder interviews, a
series of focus group sessions and an online survey accessible through a link on
the city's home page were used to engage the public. Nearly identical question
guides were used to collect perceptions between Nov. 19,2007 and Jan. 25, 2008:
· 14 one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders, i.e., current city
councilors, former elected officials, community opinion leaders;
· 8 focus groups representing a cross section of the community
o Young professionals, seniors, high school students, Gateway area
employees, business owners/executives, Latinos, nonprofits and
community volunteers, realtors and neighborhood association
leaders'
o 72 participants total, 36 male and 36 female;
· 167 individual respondents to online survey
. 3 mail-in surveys.
ATTACHMENTS:
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
1. Attachment # 1 Communications plan
Key findings from the Primary Research Phase:
1. Community pride and cooperation is high.
2. Strength of natural amenities is an area of pride.
3. Residents are optimistic about the future.
4. Residents see change as positive and want to address negative perceptions of
the city.
5. The Ideal. Everyone wants a safe, clean and attractive, family-friendly,
thriving Springfield that both residents and visitors can enjoy and be proud
of.
Next steps include gathering council input on the attached communication plan. If
approved, work can start immediately. The bulk of the planning elements can start
pending final approval of the dedicated funds outlined in the FY08/09 proposed
. budget. The key to a successful project is the engagement and involvement of
Springfield Citizens. This is the community's project and care will be taken to use
the survey results to build all elements of this endeavor.
City of Springfield
Community Imaging Project
An Integrated Marketing Communication Plan for
the 12Sth Anniversary of the City of Springfield
Submitted by
Monica Shovlin, The Ulum Group
Draft submitted March 6, 2008
Finalized May 2, 2008
I
The Ulum.Group
PUBLIC RELATIONS/PUBLIC AFFAIRS
941 Oak Street
. Eugene, OR 97401
Telephone (541) 302-6620
FAX (541) 302-6622
1328 NW Kearney Street
Portland, OR 97209
Telephone (503) 595-8350
FAX (503) 595-8351
5/2/08
Attachment #1 Page 1
City of Springfield
Community Imaging Project
An Integrated Marketing Communication Plan for
the 125th Anniversary of the City of Springfield
Introduction/Goal
In preparation for its 125th Anniversary (Feb. 25, 2010), the City of Springfield, Oregon,
has engaged the services of The Ulum Group, a public relations firm with offices in
Eugene and Portland, to facilitate a Community Imaging Project to better understand who
we are and who we want to be. This work was divided into phases, including research,
analysis, and the development of a plan with recommended strategies, tools and tactics
for communicating the city's image throughout its anniversary year to support its
economic development efforts and foster positive community relations.
Research summary
As previously reported, primary research efforts to gather current perceptions of
Springfield residents and employees of Springfield businesses consisted of one-on-one
stakeholder interviews, a series of focus group sessions and an online survey
accessible through a link on the city's home page. Nearly identical question guides were
used to collect perceptions between Nov. 19, 2007 and Jan. 25, 2008:
. l4one-on-one interviews with key' stakeholders, i.e., current city councilors,
former elected officials, community opinion leaders;
. 8 focus groups representing a cross section of the community
o Young professionals, seniors, high school students, Gateway area
employees, business owners/executives, Latinos, nonprofits and
community volunteers, realtors and neighborhood association leaders
o 72 participants total, 36 male and 36 female;
. 167 individual respondents to online survey (41 signed up to receive add. info.);
. 3 mail-in surveys.
*See Appendix A for full report on primary research.
Secondary research included a review of best practices of communities of similar size
and character, and of a variety of organizations celebrating milestone anniversaries.
*See Appendix B . for a summary of secondary research.
5/2/08
Attachment #1 Page 2
Key Learnings from Primary Research Phase:
1. Community pride and cooperation. People are proud to live and/or work in
Springfield, and while they have their differing views, they come together to get
things done. They're hardworking and willing to do what it takes to accomplish
the goal or task at hand.
2. Strength of natural amenities. The natural beauty of Springfield, including the
McKenzie and Willamette Rivers, surrounding scenic hills and mountains,
abundant trees and parks, emerged as major perceived strengths throughout our
research. Springfield residents are proud of their beautiful community and the
outdoor recreation it has to offer.
3. Optimistic about the future. Nearly all respondents agree that the city is
changing, growing and making great progress. However, they also agree that
there's more work to do - and they're willing to help.
4. Change, inside and out. Two themes around'change were consistent throughout
participants' responses - They want to address weaknesses about the city, e.g.,
downtown and drug problems, and they want to change the outside perceptions of
the city, which are most often negative and inaccurate.
5. The Ideal. Everyone wants a safe, clean and attractive, family-friendly,
thriving Springfield that both residents and visitors can enjoy and be proud
of. That would include great schools and public safety programs, good jobs and
business opportunities, access to a variety of recreational and cultural activities,
shopping and restaurant options, a mix of restored historic and new buildings that
together still retain Springfield's small town charm and friendly atmosphere.
/
5/2/08
Attachment # 1 Page 3
Key Audiences
While the city will continue to communicate with the general public through a variety of
channels leading up to and during the 125th Anniversary, those audiences most central to
the success of this effort include:
. Internal- Elected officials, key volunteers and staff - especially department
heads of Public Works, Library, Police and Fire Departments who may be tapped
to lead specific activities (see Tools and Tactics below)
. External
o Residents, especially organized groups and opinion leaders, including:
. Springfield Chamber of Commerce and leaders of member
businesses
. Springfield Historic Commission
. Springfield Museum
. Springfield Community Development Advisory Committee and
other advisory groups and committees
. Springfield Public Schools district, including individual school
administration and faculty, Parent-Teacher Associations and
students
. Springfield Utility Board
. Willamalane Park and Recreation District
. Neighborhood Associations
. Seniors groups, e.g., via Willamalane Adult Activity Center
. Fiesta Latina
. Church groups
. Nonprofit leaders, including boards, donors and executive staff
o Opinion leaders in surrounding communities, e.g., Eugene and Lane
County, and state and federal government contacts
o News media - local and regional.
5/2/08
Attachment # 1 Page 4
Key Messages
Key messages should be carefully crafted and directed to particular audiences in order to
establish awareness or change current perceptions as identified in the research phase.
Messages will vary by audience, but they must be consistent and mutually reinforcing.
Freq~ency and repetition are important in communicating them successfully.
These messages are not meant to be slogans; rather, they are designed so that the
concepts inherent in the messages can be incorporated into editorial, online and.direct
mail communications and speeches, for example.
Based on current perceptions summarized above, suggested messages include:
· Springfield is celebrating a proud 125-year history and has a bright future ahead.
· Springfield retains its small-town charm while continuip.g economic growth
ensures jobs and funding for vital public infrastructure services.
· Springfield is diverse in many ways (neighborhoods, demographics of residents)
and yet everyone in the community is willing to come together and
contribute/work hard for the common good (e.g., downtown measure).
· Springfield is a great place to live a~d visit, offering easy access to nature
(McKenzie and Willamette Rivers and mountains to the east, and coast to the
west) and cultural activities in town.
5/2/08 Attachment # 1 Page 5
Strategy
In order to be most successful in its delivery of key messages to key audiences, the City
of Springfield should also enlist and involve the help of those same key audiences in
hosting the city's 12Sth Anniversary celebration. By decentralizing or essentially
"franchising" its efforts and assuming the role of facilitator, the city can make efficient
use of limited resources while simultaneously creating buy-in and generating excitement
among its key audiences. This strategy can be implemented as follows:
. Create a 12Sth Anniversary mark and ~aphics package that can be widely
distributed to community groups to incorporate into their own calendars for the
two-year period 2010-11
. Lead by example by incorporating the mark into all City of Springfield "touch
points," internal and external, Le., walk the walk
. Solicit specific city departments to support and/or lead various initiatives, e.g.,
Public Works on signage and banner installation
. Integrate existing community events (city-sponsored and otherwise) and other
planned events into the 12Sth Anniversary celebration, e.g., Willamalane events;
as well as create or spearhead a few anniversary-specific events, e.g., parade
. Create a seed fund to provide further incentive to community groups to embrace
and get involved in hosting the 12Sth Anniversary celebration and give them
suggestions as a starting point, for example:
o Suggest that the Historic Commission, Museum and Main Street antiques.
dealers might collaborate on a fashion show '
o Encourage Springfield Public Schools to integrate anniversary-related
curriculum for 2010 with associated contests and/or student and teacher
awards
o Solicit grant applications and distribute funds based on merit of proposals
(e.g., four projects at $10,000 each or two levels similar to Lane County
Tourism Grant program)
. Ensure each suggested activity also has a suggested leader who has resources,
authority, responsibility and accountability to successfully execute their
respective activities.
5/2/08 Attachment #1 Page 6
Tools and Tactics
While individual partner organizations will likely expand this list wjth their own creative
ideas, following is a list of more specific tools and tactics to help implement the strategy
outlined above:
. Welcome Signage - Install monument-style welcome signage at four main entry
points to the city and unveil one or more of them in Feb. 2010 with special
events/ceremonies and invite news media to cover.
. 12Sth Anniversary "mark" - Work with a professional designer to develop and
integrate a graphic treatment or seal that predominantly features the anniversary
year "125" and campaign tagline, and complements, rather than competes with
the City of Springfield's existing logo. Integrate this mark into all existing City
of Springfield touch points, including:
o Web site/online and e-mail signatures
o Posters/flyers (see below) and other point-of-transaction displays
o Fleet identification, including police, fire and public works vehicles
o On-hold and voicemail messaging
o Letterhead/business cards, stickers on all correspondence all year long
o Lapel pins for all staff and elected officials, library volunteers
o Incorporate key messages into Mayor, city manager and councilors'
speeches.
· Street Pole banners - Install 125th Anniversary mark banners on most or all
major arteries to tie various neighborhoods of the city together
· Advertising - Approach various media outlets regarding partnerships for the . .
, 125th Anniversary; suggest matching funds arrangement for air time to advertise
events.
· Posters/flyers - Hang them in all city and partner organization locations with a
call-to-action to become a part of the celebration by hosting, volunteering and/or
joining the various Anniversary events; e.g., "Call or e-mail Niel Laudati for info
and ideas." (Niel or other designated staff would act as a clearinghouse and
match interested individuals and organizations with each other and specific
Anniversary activities.)
· Special events and contests - Support parade(s), monument signage unveilings,
unique neighborhood-specific celebrations, and one community-wide, cornerstone
event such as a run/walk along the same route as the street pole banners.
5/2/08 Attachment #1 Page 7
. Commemorative commissions - Suggest the creation of history book(s),
documentary video, new mural(s) or other art by various community groups to
both celebrate the city's anniversary and act as a fund- or friend-raiser for their,
own organizations.
. School curriculum - Integrate 125th Anniversary theme into school curriculum
and hold contests or give awards to students and teachers for various anniversary-
related projects.
. Media relations - Announce all special events, signage unveilings,
Mayor/council proclamations, etc. and encourage media sponsors to create feature
stories about various milestones in the city's 125-year history, e.g., neighborhood
by neighborhood, businesses/industries, schools, past Mayors and community
leaders, famous residents, "on this day in Springfield 125 years ago..." photos,
reprints of historic documents, and so on.
. Online - Generate Web-only and repurpose other content for posting on the city's
Web site on devoted pages, list anniversary celebrations on a calendar, solicit
stories from residents about history and how to celebrate it, etc.:
o Social media ideas: Blog, "Share Your Springfield Memories," to mine
stories to use as features in publications, ads, etc.
o Y ouTube contest, ask residents to make videos showcasing the Best of
. Springfield History and offer the winning video a prize or award.
o Either of these might be integrated into high school curriculum, e.g.,
assigned as an A3 class proj ect.
EvaluationlS uccess Measures
. In order to measure the success of these activities, we can collect the following
information throughout 2009-2010:
. Participation in process, contests, etc.
. Attendance at events and subsequent feedback, e.g., anecdotal, from evaluation
forms, via a repeat community survey
. Media coverage, whether it contains key messages, is generally positive or
negative
. Web site hits and online feedback via e-mail, blogs, etc.
5/2/08 . Attachment #1 Page 8
Budget
While it may be difficult to estimate the cost of some items at this stage (e.g., before pole
banner and poster quantities are established), some budget line items to consider include:
. 125th Anniversary mark/seal design - up to $5,000
· Monument-style welcome signage - four at approximately $25,000 each plus site
prep/landscaping, lighting and ongoing maintenance
· Street pole banners - approximately $50 each plus hardware, installation labor
(estimating about 300 banners, but Planning/Development and/or Public Works
staffmay suggest key arteries and establish a specific quantity)
· Fleet identification - amend all city-owned vehicles with anniversary mark in
either magnetic vinyl or paint (TBD based on number of vehicles and medium)
· Seed money for decentralized community events (TBD, e.g., based on anticipated
increase in room tax receipts)
· Ad placement matching funds (to be negotiated with each media sponsor)
· Marketing plan implementation and media relations services to support internal
city staff, estimated at 10 hours or $1,500 per month
· Posters, stickers, lapel pins, other branded apparel/prizes - dependent on number
of locations and employees, annual volume of correspondence, etc.
. 5/2/08
Attachment # 1 Page 9
Initial Timeline
Following is a high-level timeline for the implementation of this plan. Once an overall
budget has been established, a more detailed schedule of tasks can be developed.
. Third quarter 2008 - Determine project budget and adjust plan accordingly
. Fourth quarter 2008 - Develop mark and prepare graphics package and usage
guidelines for distribution so that community partners have at least 2009 to plan
anniversary events and other involvement
. First quarter 2009
o Commission production of monument signs and street pole banners for
installation by Jan. 2010 and no later than official anniversary of Feb. 25,
2010
o Roll out internal communications and "train" staff on key message~
o Roll out external invitations to participate in planning 125th Anniversary
events and activities in first quarter of 2009, immediately after completing,
internal roll-out
. Feb. 25, 2010 - Kick-off official celebration with unveiling of first monument
welcome sign
. 2010 - Continue to host events and conduct ongoing communications to ensure
maximum participation and news coverage.
5/2/08
Attachment #1 Page 10
APPENDIX A
City of Springfield Community Imaging Project
Summary of Primary Research
In preparation for its 125th anniversary (Feb. 25, 2010), the City of Springfield has begun
a Community Imaging Project to better understand who we are and who we want to be.
(Please note: This is not a logo redesign or slogan development effort.) The first phase of
this work includes a series ofprimary research efforts to gather current perceptions of
Springfield residents and employees of Springfield businesses.
Our work included one-on-one stakeholder interviews, a series of focus group sessions
and an online survey accessible through aJink on the city's home page. The ground
rules were the same in all cases; we told participants:
. Be brief in your responses;
.. Try to be as concrete and constructive as possible;
· . This effort is more global in nature than specific to one City department or
geographic area. Think "Springfield, the city" rather than "Springfield, the
government" or "Springfield, my street;"
. · Your responses will be kept anonymous and your identity confidential.
N early identical question guides were used to conduct the following primary research
between Nov. 19,2007 and Jan. 25,2008:
· 14 one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders, i.e., current city councilors;
former elected officials, community opinion leaders; .
· 8 focus groups representing a cross section of the community
o Young professionals, seniors, high school students, Gateway area
employees, business owners/executives, Latinos, nonprofits and
community volunteers, realtors and neighborhood association leaders
o ' 72 participants total, 36 male and 36 female;
· 167 individual respondents to online survey (41 signed up to receive adtl. info.);
. 3 mail-in surveys.
Participants were identified in collaboration with city staff. Personal invitations (via
phone and/or e-mail) were used to solicit involvement in the one-on-one interviews and
focus groups. '
Two advertisements and three news stories in the Springfield Beacon, Register-Guard
and Oregonian informed the public about this project and solicited involvement in the
online survey, as well as a link from the city's home page and word-of-mouth encouraged
via focus group participants.
5/2/08
Attachment # 1 Page 11
Common themes emerged across all three research efforts, including:
1. What comes to mind first when you hear or see "Springfield, Oregon?"
Positive themes
. Moving forward, changing, growing
. Positive, enthusiastic, can-do attitude
. Hometown, family-friendly feel .
. Pro-business, pragmatic about development, less red tape ( than Eugene)
. Rivers and outdoor recreation
. Affordable (more than Eugene)
. Good school system
Neutral themes
. Wood/logging industry
. Conservative, traditional
. Blue collar, working class
Negative themes
. Inferior to Eugene
. Drug and crime activity
. Low income
. "S pringtucky"
. Downtown (i.e., strip clubs and bars)
. Decentralized (i.e., Gateway, Thurston, downtown, etc.)
. Unattractive, rundown
2. How would you describe Springfield's "personality" - what characteristics,
features and/or actions best capture Springfield?
Positive themes:
. 'Can-do, positive attitude
. Hardworking, get things done
. Small town feel
. Changing, stretching, growing, improving
. Capable and willing to learn
. Friendly, welcoming
. Conservative
. Honest, integrity
. Diversity is increasing
Neutral themes:
. Blue collar, working class
. Logging, miller
5/2/08
Attachment #1 Page 12
Negative themes:
. Inferiority complex about Eugene
. Uneducated
. Lower income
. Redneck
. Involved in drugs and crime
. Ignorant, backward
3. Switching away from words for a moment, what images come to mind when you
think of or hear "Springfield?"
Positive themes:
. Trees, mountains and rivers
· Parks (especially Island Park)
· Families, kids playing
. Coburg Hills
. Will amal ane
· Developments: RiverBend, Wildish, Bus Depot, Gateway
Neutral themes:
· Saw mills, logging industry
Negative themes:
. Drugs/drug dealers
. Transients
· Unattractive downtown
. Poverty, economic hardship
. Horse Statue
4. If you could wave a magic wand and create in people's mind the ideal image of
Springfield - what would that image be?
Themes:
· Quaint, small town with great living conditions
· Safe and clean city and parks
· Fun and family-friendly
. Walkable downtown and neighborhoods
· Thriving, diverse economy
· Destination for visitors
. Restored historic buildings
· Enlightened leadership
· F ewer "seedy" bars, transients, drug addicts and gangs (take better care of drug
addicted and homeless people)
· Jobs with good wages -less poverty
· Highlight natural beauty, more focus on outdoor recreation
5/2/08
Attachment # I Page 13
. More restaurants and cultural activities
. Welcoming, open-minded and tolerant
. Ethnically divers'e
. Good schools and healthy economy with locally owned businesses well-funded
. Free parking for shoppers
. Some high end housing projects, no rundown housing or trailers
5. If there's one common bond Springfielders have, what is it?
Positive themes:
. Affordable
. Teens respect elders
. Unpretentious, down to earth
. ,Strong work ethic, can-do attitude
. Proud of county and positive about future (cooperative)
. Small town feel
. Anti - Eugene
. Family-oriented
. Friendly
. Recreation
. Wood products
. . Hopeful (for children and improvement)
Negative themes:,
. Anti- Eugene, inferiority complex
. Step-child of Eugene
. Poverty
. Meth/drug problems
. Industrial odors
6. What are you most proud of as a Springfield resident?
Themes:
. RiverBend
. Practical nature
. Willamalane (and senior center), library, Springfield Utility Board
. Can-do attitude of City Council, staff and voters (work together)
. Business friendly - have made progress
. Schools and district leadership
. Wildish Theatre
. Arts, culture and murals .
. Caring, hard-working citizens (down to earth)
. Wood products industry
. "That we're not like Eugene"
5/2/08
Attachment # 1 Page 14
. Family-friendliness
5/2/0'8
Attachment #1 Page 15
7. What would you most like to change?
Themes:
. Drug and alcohol problems and related crime
. Graffiti
. "Seedy" bars and strip clubs
. Downtown blight
. Transients and panhandling
. More police
. Glenwood (develop it)
. Need more diversity and tolerance (some xenophobic and racist comments)
. Take advantage of riverfront and historic areas
. Bigger library with extended hours
. Yellow street lights
. More middle-range housing
. More retail and entertainment
. Downtown
. Community image to outside world
8. (Bonus question asked if there was time) What do you think comes to mind when
non-residents hear or see "Springfield, Oregon?"
Positive themes:
. Antique shops
. Half way between mountains and coast
. McKenzie and Willamette Rivers and outdoor recreation
. Community pride
. Business- friendly
. City is able to accomplish a lot relative to its size
. Neutral reaction (i.e., "Where is Springfield? Oh, next to Eugene."
. Pleasantly surprised once they visit
Negative themes:
1. Rednecks
2. "Springtucky"
3. Poor, uncultured, uneducated - The Simpsons
4. Wood products-centric - old milt' town
5. Thurston shootings
6. Intolerance (homosexuals and minorities)
5/2/08
Attachment #1 Page 16
KEY LEARNINGS
1. Community pride and cooperation. People are proud to live and/or work in
Springfield, and while they have their differing views, they come together to get
things done. They're hardworking and willing to do what it takes to accomplish
the goal or task at hand.
2. Strength of natural amenities. The natural beauty of Springfield, including the
McKenzie and Willamette Rivers, surrounding scenic hills and mountains,
abundant trees and parks, emerged as major perceived strengths throughout our
research. Springfield residents are proud of their beautiful community and the
outdoor recreation it has to offer.
3. Optimistic about the future. Nearly all respondents agree that the city is
changing, growing and making great progress. However, they also agree that
there's more work to do - and they're willing to help.
4. Change, inside and out. Two themes around change were consistent throughout
participants' responses - They want to address weaknesses about the city, e.g.,
downtown and drug problems, and they want to change the outside perceptions of
the city, which are most often negative and inaccurate.
5. The Ideal. Everyone wants a safe, clean and attractive, family-friendly,
thriving Springfield that both residents and visitors can enjoy and be proud
of. That would include great schools and public safety programs, good jobs and
business opportunities, access to a variety of recreational and cultural activities,
shopping and restaurant options, a mix of restored historic and new buildings that
together still retain Springfield's small town charm and friendly atmosphere.
5/2/08
Attachment #1 Page 17
APPENDIX B
City of Springfield Community Imaging Project
Summary of Secondary Research
Following are highlights from online research of communities of similar size and/or
character, and of communities and organizations of various sizes celebrating significant
milestones or anniversaries:
By City
Atlanta~ GA (population 486,000)
Created Atlanta Aquarium. Expanded High Art Museum. Added another runway to
airport. Opened Centennial Olympic Games Exhibit at the Atlanta History Center. Hosted
Holiday Decorating contest. Atlanta Committee for Progress formed Brand Atlanta Inc.
Brand Atlanta Inc. merchandise sold at Macy's.
www.atlopen.com
Hopkins~ MN (population 17,045)
Think Hopkins created as city branding initiative. Created historic city walking tour.
Unveiled a new "Point of Pride" in the city each month (i.e. main street or the historical
society). Demolished old warehouse to add office buildings that brought over 2,000 jobs.
Put up fitness centers, condominiums and retail outlets on land that was no longer in use
or where buildings had been demolished.
www.thinkhopkins.com
Bellingham. W A (population 75,220)
Funded rehabilitation of homes in low-income areas. Redeveloped Old Town, downtown
and the waterfront. Enhanced art community by staffing Bellingham Arts Commission
and Municipal Arts Program. Focused on non-for-profit art sector. Bellingham celebrated
its 100th anniversary in 2003 and set up curriculum ideas for teachers to celebrate the
anniversary with their students throughout the year.
http://www .acadweb. wwu.edu/cpnws/centennial/
www.cob.org
Tacom~ WA (population 201,700)
Created the slogan. "We care, do you?" along with an action team within the community
to clean up problem areas. Held waste disposal functions for residents to drop off things
like tires, refrigerators, recycled metal and yard waste to be disposed of properly and
clean up the neighborhood. The action team and local police officers staffed these events.
www.cityoftacoma.org
5/2/08
Attachment #1 Page 18
Durham. NC (population 209,000)
Remodeled downtown streetscape. Constructed a performing arts center. New housing
development. Updated Historic Durham Athletic Park. Updated on old industrial complex
as a campus for artists. Renovated a historic street. Plans for a new justice center and
human resource center are underway. Revamped communities in need of cleanup.
http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/news/N ewsDisplay.cfm?vNewsID= 1467
Nashville. TN (population 607,400)
Created 16-page book on why Nashville is "Music City" so that businesses could
incorporate the Music City brand into their businesses. Installed pole banners throughout
the city. Branding streets with names like "Music Mile" to help visitors find their way to
attractions and learn about the city. The city will provide Live Music venue signs to
venues that offer live music. Visitor Information Center was remodeled. The city struck a
deal with XM to host a monthly show on Nashville songwriters.
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2005/09/19/ daily 18 .html
Grants Pass. OR (population 30,900)
Expanded the community college. Created public plaza downtown. Created more
downtown parking and a public restroom. Added a new visitor information office.
Installed new streets and sidewalks throughout downtown. Added benches, lighting, trees
and litter control to downtown.
www.ci.grants-pass.or.us
State of South Dakota
Implemented a new text messaging system to alert skiers and snowboarders when there is
new snow in the Black Hills to promote winter recreation. Sponsored promotion of the
film, National Treasure.: Book of Secrets.
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/0 1/06/news/south_ dakota/c72efc 12094cfl
16862573c800 1316c5. txt
Milestone Anniversary Celebrations
Yuba City. CA (Pofulation 62,083)
Celebrating its 100 Anniversary. The city is hosting the City of Yuba City's 1 OOth Year
Celebration Photography Contest in partnership with the HUB Camera Club
(www.hubcameraclub.com). Hosting 'crab feeds' with the local Rotary Clubs, a
Centennial Gold Tournament, a Casino night at a local hotel, a 5K run/walk, historical
home tours, a summer concert series and a harvest festival among other events. Events
take place all year and a website and logo were created to commemorate the milestone.
http://www.yubacity.net/l 001
512/08
Attachment #1 Page 19
Lodi. CA (Population 62,500)
The city will hold special events all year and encourages all citizens, businesses and civic
organizations to get involved. The city also encourages adopting the Centennial theme for
any annual events to bring awareness to the anniversary. Events include: a city council
kick-off meeting, planting the first tree of 100 oaks to be planed this year, planting 100
red roses in a city square, a crab feed, city hall open house, arbor day celebration (where
the rest of the trees are planted), 100 artists painting murals in downtown Lodi, a wine
and art stroll, Lodi history month, a casino night, an outdoor concert, a golf tournament,
Oktoberfest and in closing, a parade of lights with 100 lighted floats.
http://www .1odi.govll OO/i~dex.html
Grand Junction. CO (Population 48,141) ,
Grand Junction celebrates its 125th anniversary. Lasted for about one week in 2007.
Festivities included live music and entertainment, Grand Junction book signing and a
sculpture dedication.
http://www.visitgrandjunction.com
Park River. ND (Population 1,500)
Preparing for their upcoming 125th Anniversary celebration in 2009. They are currently
holding a logo design contest. The expected length of the celebration will be 4 days in
July of 2009.
http://parkrivernd.govoffice2.com/
Hoboken. NJ (Population 40,000)
1 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2005. Events included a giant parade, a gala dinner, a
vintage baseball tournament and community spaghetti dinner. Other events in Hoboken
included the "World's Largest Birthday Card" displayed panels around town for residents
to sign and get listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Elementary school
students wrote a one page essay or drew a pictures of what Hoboken means to them and
created a time capsule to be buried at city hall on the anniversary date. The Elks club is
also celebrating 100 years in Hoboken. To celebrate the city honored the oldest born and
raised living resident and the family with the longest ruOOing genealogy at a special
luncheon. An evening of oral histories will be held at the public library. A summer
concert series also took place.
http://www .hobokennj .org/html/news/news34.html
West Allis. WI (Population 60,000)
West Allis celebrated its centennial in 2006. Events included a parade, fireworks and a
city festival with children's activities, historical displays, contests and food. The city also
held a Centennial Fashion Show that featured fashion through the decades at a local
senior center, presented by Goodwill Industries. Students at a local elementary school
painted a mural dedicated to the past 100 years of the city that showed places and events
that shaped the cities history. A book looking at the history of the Fire Department was
printed and available at city hall or by mail.
http://www.ci.west-allis.wi.us/about!centennial_news.htm
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Burlingame. CA (Population 30,000)
Burlingame is currently celebrating 100 years by holding a vintage fashion show at a
historic mansion in town; cost is $75 per person. In May, the city is hosting a wine and
hot chocolate walk and a historic building tour on the same evening. The city will also
sponsor a dance for 7th and 8th grade students at a local recreation center with a 100th
anniversary/birthday party theme with educational components of Burlingame's past. For
high school students there will be an outdoor concert with several high school bands,
food, games and contests on Burlingame's history. In June the city will hold a movie in
the park and fireworks show' at a public park. The end of the celebration will be a
Centennial Ball, for adults that will include a cocktail hour, sit-down dinner, live music,
fireworks and dancing.
http://www . burlingame.org/lndex.aspx?page=877
Rotary International District 7150
Celebrated 100 years in 2005. To celebrate the club built a Centennial pavilion at a local
conservation area, helped clean up a lake, put up new signs at the entrance and exit to the
village, built an amphitheatre stage and hosted a planting project in town.
www.rotarydistrict7150.org/Centennia1.htm
General
Projects to Consider for Your Anniversary Celebration:
. Adopt a logo
. Memorialize in print
· Immortalize the [ organization]' s history on film
. High products and promotions
· Exhibit historical products and ideas
· Throw the party of the century!
http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/AMMagSidebarDetail.cfin ?ltemNumb
er=963 0
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