DIDSBURY – Council has approved a new 2024 marketing plan and $40,000 in funding from the economic development reserve for the project.
The move came by way of motion at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting, held in person and online.
“The plan outlines a multi-faceted approach to position Didsbury as a thriving destination for investment, businesses, residents, and visitors alike,” chief administrative officer Ethan Gorner said in a briefing note to council.
“By leveraging collaboration, fostering creativity, embracing technology and innovation, and enhancing the quality of life, Didsbury aims to attract a diverse range of investors, entrepreneurs, visitors, and residents and, with that, a skilled and talented workforce to establish itself as a vibrant, dynamic, inclusive and diverse community.”
The top objectives of the plan are business retention, showcasing Didsbury as a place to live a quality life, visit, work, do business and invest, and make the community a unique tourism destination, he said.
“By implementing targeted marketing strategies and initiative (through the plan), Didsbury can position itself as a collaborative hub of innovation, creativity, and quality living, driving economic prosperity and community well-being in the years to come,” he said.
Other objectives of the plan include promoting the health and wellness sector, promoting industry, boosting tourism, embracing technology and innovation, and enhancing the quality of life of residents and visitors.
The plan identifies eight marketing strategies, including tourism promotion campaigns, tech project initiatives, and digital marketing and content creation.
The digital marketing and content creation strategy will “utilize digital marketing channels, social media platforms, and content creation to showcase Didsbury’s unique offerings, success stories, and opportunities or investment and business development.”
The tech projects initiative will “implement digital tourism infrastructure, mobility solutions, energy efficiency, and sustainability to enhance the town’s livability and attract tech-savvy residents and businesses.”
The 2024 budget allocation for the plan totals $40,030.
Evaluation metrics for the plan will include the number of investments and new businesses/entrepreneurs attracted, number of film productions and increased economic impact, growth and diversity of key industries and startups, residential growth, and increase in tourism arrivals, visitor spending, and hospitality revenues, he said.
