Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/338735
6 N e w N o r t h , i N c . in the region you need in about 45 minutes to an hour," says Casper, president of the Oshkosh Area Chamber of Commerce. "e concept is that the whole area is greater than its parts." Tours might include visits to places and organizations distinctive to the region, Casper says. Examples could include business visits at global companies such as Kohler, Oshkosh Corp., Kimberly Clark, Mercury Marine or Manitowoc Company. A hospitality component could include a tour of Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, golf at Whistling Straits or a show at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. e Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce successfully followed that formula when it hosted a tour for site selectors in 2013. Hosts showed selectors available sites, community assets such as the technical colleges and introduced them to CEOs from key companies in the region, says Shannon Full, president and CEO. A Packers game served as a hook as well, she says. "We invited 15 and we had eight participate the first time," Full says. "But now, we have a waiting list. We are really looking forward to the next one." e next one is this October. e trigger for this latest approach was the completion of the New North Business Locator Guide, a data-heavy marketing tool that can answer many of the questions site selectors have about the region's technical abilities, educational opportunities and other items important to a company's business plan. Now, the time has come to show them it's a great place to work and live, Murphy says. e efforts will be coordinated with state and local officials so the same general messages are communicated. Part of the plan also will include a comprehensive calendar of activities showing trade shows, marketing messages and other items everyone should know about. "It makes everyone an extension of the marketing effort," he says. "at anecdotal response of why your company is doing business here is valuable." With about 200 site selectors working nationwide, providing reasons for them to add a region to their list of considerations is an important part of any marketing strategy, says Kelly Leitz, vice president for marketing at the WEDC, who works with site selectors when they show an interest in Wisconsin. "It's a fairly small market, but by marketing to one, you are getting the region in front of about 20 potential clients," Leitz says. Building those connections and actively promoting the region will keep it top-of-mind, even if the payoff is not immediate, Casper says. "It's important to stay in front of them," he says. "ey may not jump through any hoops to get to us right away, but when they start really looking, you want them to be familiar with who you are." to view the Business Locator Guide: www.thenewnorth.com/doing-business/business-locator- guide.com "they are building relationships with the people who do the deals. It's all about getting to know people and building those standing relationships. Company business plans are always changing." – John wichman, director of business development for DTZ