MONROE - With the downtown Square streetscape project on its way, Monroe Main Street is turning its attention to other portions of its master plan.
Namely, how should the city market its tourism assets in a logo or branding imagery?
"The streetscape isn't taking as much of our time anymore. It's time to move into other areas that we really need to look at," said David Riese, chairman of the Board of Directors for Monroe Main Street.
The board spent time Monday discussing branding.
A brand used for promotional purposes gives instant recognition of a place, with all its emotional nuances and ties, said Ryan Wilson, Main Street board member.
Main Street has been using the city's logo of the courthouse clock tower as a basis for its own, but the courthouse is not "a draw that brings people back (to Monroe) time and time again," Wilson said. "When someone says, 'Let's go to Monroe,' you ask why - and what impact does that have on our businesses?" he said.
Monroe is noted for several things, which makes it hard to determine one image, or logo, said committee member Mike Doyle.
"Cheese is Monroe - it's not everything, but it is (the most recognized piece)," he said.
Among the various things board members mentioned that downtown Monroe has to offer and what people have come to expect in the city include cheese, the County Courthouse, shopping, eateries, the Square itself, and the city's cheese heritage.
Cheese is the most requested item at the Welcome Center, Riese said.
"People want to see more cheese-oriented things downtown," he said.
People drive hundreds of miles hoping to see cheese being made, he added.
While people latch on to the Square and Monroe's cheese heritage, cheese isn't found in large supply downtown, board member John Baumann said.
"That's what people want to see downtown," he added. "Is there any way to build the city (Square) around those two?" he asked.
Board members agreed that the two sets of people who perhaps know best about what the logo should represent are most likely visitors and the downtown business owners themselves.
"(Business) people around the Square should have some input," Diane Phillips, board member, said. "Aren't they the ones who know, and what they want to be known for? I would think they would have an idea of what they want to represent them."
Phillips said some downtown business owners do not feel they have enough input into Main Street decisions.
Brands can have negative and positive impacts, which is why it is wise to contact several top-level marketing firms for help, Wilson said.
Good brands can have a positive impact on awareness and fundraising, it can be transferred to promotional efforts, and it raises trust and recognition. A bad brand can destroy the same things, he explained.
Namely, how should the city market its tourism assets in a logo or branding imagery?
"The streetscape isn't taking as much of our time anymore. It's time to move into other areas that we really need to look at," said David Riese, chairman of the Board of Directors for Monroe Main Street.
The board spent time Monday discussing branding.
A brand used for promotional purposes gives instant recognition of a place, with all its emotional nuances and ties, said Ryan Wilson, Main Street board member.
Main Street has been using the city's logo of the courthouse clock tower as a basis for its own, but the courthouse is not "a draw that brings people back (to Monroe) time and time again," Wilson said. "When someone says, 'Let's go to Monroe,' you ask why - and what impact does that have on our businesses?" he said.
Monroe is noted for several things, which makes it hard to determine one image, or logo, said committee member Mike Doyle.
"Cheese is Monroe - it's not everything, but it is (the most recognized piece)," he said.
Among the various things board members mentioned that downtown Monroe has to offer and what people have come to expect in the city include cheese, the County Courthouse, shopping, eateries, the Square itself, and the city's cheese heritage.
Cheese is the most requested item at the Welcome Center, Riese said.
"People want to see more cheese-oriented things downtown," he said.
People drive hundreds of miles hoping to see cheese being made, he added.
While people latch on to the Square and Monroe's cheese heritage, cheese isn't found in large supply downtown, board member John Baumann said.
"That's what people want to see downtown," he added. "Is there any way to build the city (Square) around those two?" he asked.
Board members agreed that the two sets of people who perhaps know best about what the logo should represent are most likely visitors and the downtown business owners themselves.
"(Business) people around the Square should have some input," Diane Phillips, board member, said. "Aren't they the ones who know, and what they want to be known for? I would think they would have an idea of what they want to represent them."
Phillips said some downtown business owners do not feel they have enough input into Main Street decisions.
Brands can have negative and positive impacts, which is why it is wise to contact several top-level marketing firms for help, Wilson said.
Good brands can have a positive impact on awareness and fundraising, it can be transferred to promotional efforts, and it raises trust and recognition. A bad brand can destroy the same things, he explained.