The backers of an ambitious bid to market Castlebar as a vibrant destination for shopping, culture, leisure, and entertainment have just unveiled the brand identity for the project.
The Destination Castlebar committee, which is made up of key players in the entertainment, cultural, accommodation, retail, and leisure sectors, will shortly be inviting the local business community to adopt the brand and share in the benefits of this joint marketing initiative.
After a period of intensive research, consultation, and design work with creative partners Impact Media, the brand ‘Castlebar, Everyone’s Invited’ has been developed to represent the wide range of activities on offer. Local business people will soon be approached with a view to participating in the project, which aims to significantly increase visitor numbers to Castlebar.
“We looked very closely at how other destination marketing projects have worked in Ireland and elsewhere,” said Padraic McGuinness, chairperson of the Destination Castlebar committee. “Because Castlebar is not the traditional holiday destination, we decided to go for a brand that gives a strong sense of the exciting range of attractions that can be enjoyed here. The logo conveys variety, activity, and a real sense of fun. It also represents some of the town’s key assets.
“We opted for the tagline ‘Everyone’s Invited’ because we believe Castlebar is a very open, welcoming, and inclusive destination. There is literally something for everyone.”
Stephanie Colombani of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce added: “There will be a number of valuable benefits for stakeholders across the entire business community, including access to promotional and marketing tools, and a high spec website.
“Collaborative destination marketing has well documented benefits for the local economy and the potential to be a driver of long-term competitiveness.”
The initiative is set to highlight the town’s retail, entertainment, cultural, sporting, and leisure-based attractions. It aims to encourage the thousands who already visit the county town to stay longer, experience more of the top quality attractions on offer, and spend more money.
The ambitious project is led by some of Castlebar’s key players in the arts, entertainment, and retail sectors, under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce. A 13-member group have been working together since February 2009, under the name ‘Destination Castlebar’.
The destination marketing project was one of the main goals to emerge from the Chamber’s Vision 2020 initiative – and is one of a number of other planned developments, including town centre enhancement and a local enterprise network.
Managing director of Impact Media Lucy Meehan said the company was delighted to be working with the Castlebar committee.
“Their expertise and ideas have been central to developing a brand which, I believe, reflects their passion for Castlebar, and their drive to promote it as an attractive and exciting destination.”
More information on the destination marketing project and Everyone’s Invited brand is available from Castlebar Chamber of Commerce on 094 902 4845 or by emailing [email protected].
