Tired of being labelled the community between Vernon and Kelowna, Lake Country is ready to stand out.
The District of Lake Country Council voted unanimously to adopt a community brand Tuesday to help promote Lake Country for economic development, tourism promotion, community activities and other special events.
Adoption of the new brand was recommended by the eight member Economic Planning and Development Committee, who council assigned the project to in the summer of 2010. The committee reviewed various concepts before agreeing on the final recommendation, which was presented to council Tuesday night. The community was widely engaged throughout the project, including a public open house, online survey and Business After Hours presentation, in addition to direct involvement from the Public Art Advisory Committee, Agricultural Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Lake Country Chamber of Commerce and also George Elliott Secondary School.
The new logo features the Lake Country name in a customized font, with a stylized logo in a series of azure, blue, red, gold, green colours, representing the various natural elements that are abundant in the community.
The tagline “Life. The Okanagan Way.” is meant to represent the lifestyle, natural beauty, economic drivers, and happiness that come from living in or visiting the community.
“Lake Country has experienced rapid residential growth in recent years, outpacing provincial averages. We look to the new brand to tell the unique Lake Country story, assist in diversifying the local economy and help tourist operators by proudly putting Lake Country on the map” said Mayor James Baker.
“This brand is the result of six months of hard work by the Economic Planning and Development Committee, staff and the branding consultants, Zapp Worx and Reputations,” said Coun. Geoff Greenwell, the committee’s chair. “We believe it will be a great asset to the District of Lake Country, the development of Main Street, civic organizations and businesses in promoting their activities and marketing Lake Country.”
In addition to the research and creative work, the consultants are also providing a launch plan, marketing and communications plan, and a brand standards guide for print, web, broadcast and signage.
“We are very fortunate to have had the support of so many stakeholders in the development of the new brand, and look forward to implementing the required steps needed to bring it to life and further promote Lake Country” said chief administrative officer Alberto De Feo. “Projects like this are often contentious and it’s impossible to please everyone, however, with the extensive support received from the many stakeholders involved, we look to members of the community and the media for leadership in becoming brand ambassadors for our community.”
The branding project was made possible through a grant from the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
