For over a decade, the Paris Texas Chamber of Commerce recommended a vision vs a brand.
We’ve known, and repeatedly put in writing, that “Paris needs a vision, a theme, and the protocols to make it a highly desired destination for a large, identified segment of the market.”
What the city, the local edc, the visitor’s and convention group, and what used to be the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce came up with is a brand that gives a new meaning to “Happy Days Are Here Again.”
Thankfully, the Paris Texas Chamber was not invited to the party where the decision to blow $85,000 of the taxpayer’s money on a “brand” bragging about how Texans in Paris reach high.
Based on arrest records, its likely smoking a peculiar weed or guzzling bottled moonshine or bonded and branded alcohol.
We would have asked if they really wanted to make Paris a desired destination for that large, identified segment of the market?
Currently, there’s already too much competition within it – as well as over consumption. In every B-movie, a crook with a gun tells those being robbed, “Reach higher.”
Now, the co-conspirators are wasting more dollars pasting this brand on all kinds of stationery, vehicles, signs, ads, etc., all paid for by mingling – on an equal basis – public and private funds or lying about it.
Sure, without a doubt, this “brand” has some sort of wobbly vision, and a theme that encourages some people to do strange things, like getting arrested for peeing in public.
Of course, it might be a little less objectionable if it didn’t make so many who participate think they can sing.
It’s not, however, the kind of vision or theme we had in mind – as standing out doesn’t always mean standing up.
When you’re lying in the gutter “reach higher” also means to try and climb the curb.
Paris may soon be known as the wrath of grapes or where the dawn comes up like thunder.
If we live up to the brand, Paris will be a place where you can start out fit as a fiddle and end up tight as a drum.
When the Paris Texas Chamber talks about a vision for Paris, it’s a way to build the kind of town where you and others (we) want to live.
The theme is a designed and designated focus on an established central objective. The vision and theme must have the imperative protocols that structure the necessary goals (steps) on how the objective will be achieved. It must be defined and realistic, with worthwhile means to pay for achieving that objective.
Our community and economic development organization are good at promoting events that publicize and promotes the event (but not Paris: Paris is just a place where the Sphecidae or Crabronidae are having a meeting). But the vision is limited.
A mish-mash of events will not likely build the kind of community you want to live in – a town where others would want to live.
return to: Paris Texas Chamber of Commerce
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