Tourism Foundation Kicks Off Series With City Branding Expert
Paul O’Connor, executive director of World Business Chicago, will speak at noon June 7 on city branding as the Memphis Tourism Foundation – an arm of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau – kicks off its “Conversations about Competitiveness” series.
As head of Chicago’s economic development organization, O’Connor led development of the brand for his hometown and is highly regarded as an expert on the impact on effective city branding on economic growth. His career includes working as legman for the legendary Chicago columnist Mike Royko, as a columnist in his own right in Seattle, as press secretary for the Governor of Washington, as Illinois’ second highest-ranking health official, and as an international advertising executive.
“We are lucky to kick off these ‘conversations’ with someone who knows what a city brand has to do to be successful and how it ties into the overall marketing of a city,” said Kevin Kane, president/CEO of the Memphis CVB. “He understands that a city’s brand is much more than a slogan, a logo, and a bumper sticker. More to the point, it speaks to the higher purpose of the city and its aspirations, and we don’t know of any better person to talk about this opportunity than Paul.”
Jerry Klein, chair of the Memphis Tourism Foundation, said the foundation is sponsoring the speech as part of its emphasis on research and advocacy about economic opportunities for the Memphis region. “A city’s brand is a key component in its overall progress – whether it is to create economic competitiveness, internal pride, a sense of community, or as an external marketing tool to attract people and jobs,” he said.
World Business Chicago, a nonprofit organization created by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, was created to enhance the Chicago region’s global economic position, and this role, it directs economic recruitment, research, and acts as a “thought leader” on economic growth issues.
Reservations for the presentation can be made by contacting Bonnie Dickson at the CVB at 543-5316. Gibson Beale Street Showroom is located at 145 Lt. George Lee Avenue, one block south of Beale Street.
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For additional information, contact:
Tom Jones, Smart City Consulting,
528-0800 or tjones@smartcityconsulting.com
Posted by Tom Jones on in Press Releases
