By the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce
The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) received approval from the Michigan City Board of Works and Public Safety on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Michigan City (City). The MOU creates an agreement that the Chamber will take on marketing endeavors to promote Michigan City. The MOU was unanimously approved at the Monday, June 21st Board of Works meeting.
The MOU provides permission for the Chamber to use a City owned domain name, discovermichigancity.com, as a driver for local marketing efforts. Visual and written content that was previously created for marketing Michigan City, and is owned by the City, will be shared with the Chamber for their use. “The chamber will be able to use this marketing content in a positive way to promote Michigan City, our businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents,” Chamber President Katie Eaton stated. “Of the over 350 members that are represented by the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, over half of them are small local establishments and we are honored to have the opportunity to promote a stronger support local message using this content.”
The Chamber will organize and manage a committee of several community organizations and businesses to advise on marketing initiatives. “The committee will serve as an advisor to the chamber in our efforts to market Michigan City,” stated Eaton. “We will be working together with these representatives to create strong content that promotes our natural assets, highlights our community members and businesses, and drives customers into our local establishments.”
Efforts for “Discover Michigan City” marketing will begin by organizing the committee who will then work to develop a brand style guide which will help build the story, visuals, and voice for Michigan City. While certain businesses and organizations are listed to participate in the committee per the MOU, there is space for others to join in the conversation. “While much of what we are building out in this first year will be grassroots marketing, we have long term goals to create a platform that is sustainable and there will be costs associated with that. We will be looking for partners and sponsors to help us with these costs,” Eaton explained.
One of the first projects, which is already in the works, is creating a “Discover Michigan City Guide” both in print and online. Individuals or businesses who are interested in participating or supporting these efforts should contact Katie Eaton at keaton@mcachamber.com or call the chamber at 219-874-6221.