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Regional: Home on the range
Commentary by Jeff Burgar
for South Peace News
We still don’t have a new handle. A nickname. A catchy phrase.
High Prairie, as it has for perhaps 50 years, continues to bills itself as “Gateway to the Peace Country.’’
Economic development advisors tell communities across North America, don’t sell yourself as a “gateway’’ unless it really means something. So, Vancouver could bill itself as “Western Gateway to Canada’’ if it wanted to sell itself as a freight receiving centre. Fort Assiniboine could perhaps try “Gateway to Big Game Hunting.’’ New York City could try “Gateway to Banker Bonuses!" That still doesn’t sound as good as “Financial Capital of the World.”
“Gateway to the Peace?’ Sounds nice, but is it helping High Prairie as a stepping off point for the Peace, more importantly, growing development?
John Irwin, mayor of Crowsnest Pass, always introduces himself as “John Irwin, Home of the Freedom Loving Mountain People of Crowsnest Pass.’’ The phrase evokes images of rifle-toting, hard-boiled, plain-talking ranchers and woodsmen. The phrase promotes Crowsnest as a tourist destination.
We’re working on something along the same lines.
We like “High Prairie, Heart of the Woodland Paradise.’’
It isn’t catching on. We have to say, however, one does not hear anybody introducing themselves as from “High Prairie, Gateway to the Peace’’ either. So, we’re still hopeful.
Last week, High Prairie town council journeyed off to the annual convention of Alberta towns and cities.
Only John Irwin was introducing himself with his colorful nick.
This week, county councillors across Alberta are at their annual convention. Maybe they will hear a few more descriptors of other places in Alberta. Maybe.
Maybe one of our M.D. councillors will even try on for size one of their own. Perhaps, “I’m Alvin Billings, representing the Hardworking and Fresh Air Loving people of Big Lakes.’’ Perhaps “I’m Guy L’Heureux from the M.D. of Big Lakes, Home of Great Fishing, Great Hunting and Alberta’s Biggest Recreational Lake.’’
Too corny for you? Shouldn’t be. Promotions people are fond of saying, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity’’ Meaning, if you want to get your name out there and you want people to remember you, being corny isn’t even a consideration.
Just do it!
And by golly, where have you heard that line before?
Proves that John Irwin is on to something, doesn’t it?
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