I now don’t feel alone. It looks like the people from the New Institute are joining the conversation about seeing the city of Newcastle as a brand with a public forum at Merewether’s Souths Leagues Club. I believe the forum starts at 7pm, Tuesday 13th October.

Imagine seeing Newcastle as a prosperous and successful city…

Imagine Newcastle as a city that supports thriving manufacturing, service, defence and education sectors, boasting the finest art galleries, theatres and sporting arena’s.

Imagine a city that is, after Sydney, the most popular tourism destination in Australia.

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  I Love NY More Than Ever 
  Originally uploaded by gooskimo

I’m a strong believer in the power of branding a city to attract investment, talented people, visitors and events and I’m a stronger believer in the power of social media to connect people and communities.

But, I’ve never heard of cities embracing social media or social networking strategies to build their brand.

I’m not saying it hasn’t happened before; it’s just that, I’ve never heard of any.

I see social networking as being the perfect tool for cities to connect, communicate and collaborate with people and communities at home and abroad.

Or am I just naïve?

Do Governments fear social networking openness? If true, is this fear built on a political culture of confrontation.

I don’t have any answers….but I would like to know?

dices
Originally uploaded by Dreambagz

According to the busy people at Tourism New South Wales, business visitors are anyone that has the following purpose to visit:

• work travel for transport crews,
• business or other work,
• attendance at conferences, exhibitions, conventions or trade fairs, and
• training and research related to employment.

International business visitors to NSW for the year ended September 2005, NSW received 423,600 business visitors or 54% of all business visitors to Australia and 3.6 million or 45% of all business nights in Australia. Spending $567 million.

Tourism NSW proudly boasts that Sydney received 96% of all business visitors to NSW, a grand total of 406,064 visitors – compare that number with the Hunter Valley figures including Newcastle, only 7,160.

Sounds like the International business community is missing the boat on Newcastle or is it, Newcastle missing the boat?

This begs the question: How much money does Tourism NSW budget to promote Newcastle?

Why brand a city?

Here’s what my native northern brothers say on the subject of branding their beautiful city of Edinburgh.

A destination brand for the Edinburgh City Region

It is a competitive world and we can’t afford to stand still. We need to build on the Edinburgh City Region’s existing successes in attracting visitors, investors and fresh talent. We have to shout even louder to be heard and do more to ensure that we stand out from the crowd.

A destination brand for the Edinburgh City Region will really make a difference. Here’s how.

BENEFITS

PEOPLE

Good for the people of Edinburgh

Edinburgh already attracts a wide range of employers. The brand will help to attract even more – giving you improved chances to earn, learn and progress in your career.

Our destination brand will also create renewed pride in the City, and a sense of what it means to belong here. Then there’s the chance to enjoy yourself even more – as a greater variety of sports, cultural and leisure opportunities come to the City.

BUSINESS

Good for business and investors

Of all the UK’s cities, Edinburgh has the highest proportion of working-age population with qualifications to NVQ Level 4 (Scottish Executive, 2005).

So we’re already delivering the skills employers need.

And as more people decide to live here, employers will have an even wider pool of skills to choose from.

If you need to bring new people in from further afield, it should become a clearer choice and an easier decision to jump at the chance to relocate to Edinburgh. Your workforce will be keen to stay here too – thanks to the excellent lifestyle.

When you’re talking to businesses outside Scotland, they’ll instantly understand what makes Edinburgh special – and associate these qualities with your organisation. That means the chance for you to win more business.

Finally, our destination brand will help to encourage inward investment – as well as increased numbers of visitors and international events.

TOURISM

Good for tourism

It’s simple: with everyone saying the same things about the City Region, more tourists will visit Edinburgh and its surrounding areas.

Our destination brand will give every tourism business a real focus – from hotels to taxis and shops to restaurants. It will help shape people’s experience of the City once they get here – opening up surprising new possibilities. And it will make them want to return.