Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/112770
UP FRONT Regional Roundup �� 13 n Face Time �� 17 n Connections �� ���We believe that this name will provide a platform from which we can approach national and international markets.��� ��� Larry Burkhardt, executive vice president/economic development officer for the Fox Cities Chamber 20 By Margaret L e Br un Find it on your GPS People in Northeast Wisconsin know what you���re talking about when you refer to the Fox Cities. But drop that phrase anywhere outside the region, and most don���t have a clue ��� or worse, they confuse it with another community with a Fox River, such as suburban Chicago. That���s an obstacle in economic development, when finding a place on a map is foremost in attracting new business. It���s one that the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry hopes to overcome with the launch of a new brand for its economic development initiative: The Appleton Regional Partnership. ���We believe that this name will provide a platform from which we can approach national and international markets,��� says Larry Burkhardt, executive vice president/economic development officer for the Fox Cities Chamber. ���Appleton appears on the map ��� and it is our largest community. Regional immediately connotes the fact that we���re talking about an area that transcends any singular community. Partnership aptly describes the collaboration that we���ve established, and we���ll continue to build as we collectively work to increase the primary job base throughout our area.��� The logo, created by A2Z Design, Appleton, features three colorful gears that represent collaboration as well as the region���s manufacturing roots 12 | Insight ��� M a r c h 2 013 MARGARET LEBRUN Appleton Regional Partnership brand launched Larry Burkhardt, executive vice president/economic development officer for the Fox Cities Chamber, and Shannon Full, chamber president, display the new logo for the Appleton Regional Partnership, flanked by municipal and community leaders. and a slogan ���A Wisconsin Business Powerhouse.��� A2Z Design Creative Director Jeff Amstutz explained that Appleton is featured in the name, but the word ���regional��� is emphasized on the logo in bold, larger letters to convey the message that it���s more than just one city that makes up the economic development corporation. In fact, 61 municipalities ��� including Outagamie, Calumet and northern Winnebago counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts and economic development entities ��� are encompassed in the Appleton Regional Partnership, according to Fox Cities Chamber President Shannon Full. ���We���re happy to see the change,��� says Marty Lenss, director of the Outagamie County Regional Airport. Going with a more recognizable name may be the start of a trend in the region. Lenss says the airport property committee is beginning to discuss whether the airport would also be better served with a new name. Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson says a name that people can identify is important to economic development. ���Whatever we can do to emphasize a regional approach to first, bring the various communities together, and second, identify a name that is easily recognizable throughout the state, the country and beyond, is a good thing for everybody,��� Nelson says. w w w. i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m