City Discusses Marketing Strategy Next Steps

Creating brochures. Getting presidents of local clubs together. Connecting with the . Allowing a vendor to rent out canoes at . Inviting new faculty on annual tours of the city.

These are just some of the ideas that the Temple Terrace City Council and the city’s marketing gurus Margie Martin, of Martin Communications, and Tim Lancaster, of Lancaster Design, kicked around at a special workshop last week to further Temple Terrace’s marketing campaign.

The city has already created a , launched a , and almost completed a that will showcase and promote the city and its economic environment.

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Now, the council has asked Martin and Lancaster to come up with a proposal that outlines what the next steps should be.

“Tell us what needs to be done, and let’s do it,” said Councilman David Pogorilich at the workshop, which generated spirited discussion.

Councilman Ron Govin pointed out that the city and many of its residents don’t use the Hillsborough River to its fullest advantage.

“Shouldn’t we have somebody that we allow to use the park and rent canoes,” Govin asked. “It would begin to expose the river.”

Councilwoman Alison Fernandez suggested creating a brochure that could be handed out via local businesses, especially hotels, with information for visitors on things to do nearby and a list of local restaurants.

Councilman Bob Boss said the city should talk to department heads at USF in order to introduce Temple Terrace to new employees looking to move to the University area.

Councilwoman Mary Jane Neale, a member of the Temple Terrace Arts Council, wondered if there is a way to help market the city through the annual .

“We bring in thousands and thousands of people,” she said of the .

Martin and Lancaster agreed that the next thing the city should do is reach out to clubs and organizations within Temple Terrace, as well as realtors, and the USF community. Martin called these collaborations “strategic alliances.”

“We’re not an island,” she said. “We’ll function and succeed because of those partnerships.”

She pointed out that the city could simultaneously create interest in the local organizations it talks to.

“It feels very genuine Temple Terrace to help each other,” she said.

Lancaster also talked about creating a local buzz that could stretch beyond Temple Terrace to the Tampa Bay region.

“We need to make some noise and find ways to get people to talk,” he said.

Mayor Joe Affronti said the key to the process is communication.

“I think it’s great that we’re finally getting our city on the map,” he added.

Do you have an idea that would help the City of Temple Terrace market itself? Tell us in the comments.

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