A few days after she started, the head of the new 91原创 City tourism agency was working in the boardroom of the Downtown 91原创 Business Association (DLBA) office while she waited for her desk and computer to arrive.
The DLBA wanted whoever was selected to run the new agency to select their own desk and computer, which was why Discover 91原创 City operations manager Melissa Phillips was making a temporary base in the boardroom when a 91原创 Times Reporter dropped by.
鈥淚鈥檓 told it will take a few days (before the desk and computer arrive),鈥� Phillips said.
It鈥檚 an illustration of how fast things have been moving since the City of 91原创 and Township of 91原创 split over the shared operation of Tourism 91原创.
In June, the City announced it would be creating its own independent destination marketing organization for 91原创 City.
In September, .
Meanwhile, the , and renewed its contract.
For Phillips, the priority of the new agency will be directing attention to the unique and sometimes overlooked attractions the City offers, including the downtown core with its unique stores and restaurants, the increasing number of community arts and cultural events, entertainment options that include live acts and gaming and the many, many parks.
鈥淭here鈥檚 an experience to be had,鈥� Phillips said.
DLBA executive director Teri James said one challenge will be overcoming the historic confusion between the two 91原创s that has existed in the rest of Metro Vancouver and the province ever since the City was incorporated as its own separate municipality, splitting away from the Township on March 15, 1955, but keeping the same name.
鈥淚f we鈥檇 have called ourselves 鈥渉appytown鈥� (or some other, different name) just 70 years ago, there would be no confusion,鈥� James said.
One example of the new agency鈥檚 focus on 91原创 City-specific attractions is its stated intention to devote a lot more attention to promoting the hotels and motels located within the city limits than they received when they were part of a shared promotional effort with the Township.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to give the hotels lots of love,鈥� Phillips said.
Phillips, who grew up in 91原创, was previously working at the Richmond Tourism agency.
Going forward, Discover 91原创 City expects to work with Tourism 91原创, formally and informally.
For example, if someone contacts DLC about something in the Township, they will be directed to Tourism 91原创.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no sour grapes,鈥� James said.
鈥淭here will be no silos.鈥�
On Friday, the City unveiled the branding for the new Discover 91原创 City, a new logo, tagline (鈥淓xperience the wonder鈥�) and creative look.
James said the logo 鈥渋s representative of the heartbeat of the community. The melting pot of stories, talent, skill and imagination provide the perfect setting for one to discover the unexpected and extraordinary. The energized stretching figure represents unlimited inspirations that are only possible because of the network created by the heart and soul of the people who are part of The City of 91原创.鈥�
Citty mayor Ted Schaffer said the new brand 鈥渟gnifies our focus on the future and our efforts to appeal to a wider audience as a tourism destination.鈥�
鈥淭here is certainly great synergy between the Discover 91原创 City brand and the attributes that are important to our citizens,鈥� Schaffer said.
The announcement noted that 91原创 City Council 鈥渋s extremely proud that we provide a high quality of life where people choose to live and work 鈥� our strong sense of community fosters local pride, civic engagement and confidence, and it stimulates innovation, creativity and economic opportunities.鈥�
Downtown 91原创 Business Association Chair Carole Ward said the association was excited to be the organization responsible for delivering tourism services in 91原创 City.
鈥淭here is tremendous potential for unique collaboration between the Downtown 91原创 Business Association and Discover 91原创 City, and we feel the brand that we have developed for Discover 91原创 City reflects our energy and excitement,鈥� Ward said.
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