Saugeen Shores’ ability to sell itself will be under the microscope of a new focus group on tourism and marketing.
Council has agreed to a request from the Chamber of Commerce to be part of a new focus group that will develop a marketing plan for Saugeen Shores as a year-round tourist destination.
The 8 to 10 member group will include a councillor and municipal staff member.
The Bruce County Tourism Department and Lake Huron Shoreline Tourism Partners will also be asked for assistance.
Chamber General Manager Joanne Robbins says the municipality, tourism, agencies, and local people are all promoting tourism and it would be better if they all did it under one brand or at least knew what each other is doing.
Robbins says it’s a longer-term marketing strategy and she wants all tourism agencies and the municipality to be involved.
As examples of how marketing could be better coordinated, Councillor Luke Charbonneau says Saugeen Shores has two logos currently and only one is needed.
He says the town has a great website but needs to change because the internet is always changing.
Charbonneau says the town needs to look at how marketing projects are financed so it becomes easier for the Chamber of Commerce to take advantage of marketing opportunities that are out there.
Robbins hopes the focus group only has to meet two or three times before a report can be brought to council.