The votes are in, and southeast Alberta's eat local name is...
Published on December 16, 2011
The votes are in, and first place for the southeast Alberta eat local Name the Campaign promotion goes to Savour the Southeast, submitted by Jim Tennant. The Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta (EDA) would like congratulate Tennant for receiving the most public votes while also acknowledging second place winner Laurie Benn for Down-Home Delicious.
“Overall we feel this campaign was a success, not only because of the public participation but as well the interest that accompanied it, we had numerous organizations and individuals approach us, wanting to know how they can get involved,” said Tracy Heebner, associate director for the EDA.
Heebner reported that Savour the Southeast was leading with approximately 19 votes, while the others were either tied or separated by only a couple.
“We felt that all were great options and were prepared to start the branding process with any of them,” said Heebner. “We are optimistic that the other names still might have a place in this campaign, may it be promotional materials or advertisements- they all have potential.”
The EDA is currently preparing promotional materials for the New Year as well as starting the branding process for a spring launch.
“We’ve got an amazing creative team that is starting to work and pull components together,” said Kendra Borgen, Marketing and Communications Specialist for the EDA. “The name allows us to play with the senses, especially visually. Type Designs and Stream Media are already starting the concept phase with us for graphic and video production.”
The EDA’s business team is preparing to meet with over 100 producers in the region to encourage involvement in this campaign. “I think the one thing that we want businesses to understand when we meet with them is that this is a free service, we are publically funded so it’s our mandate to help companies in the area expand and grow,” said Heebner.
"One area that the EDA will be working on is getting companies added to a regional database so consumers are aware of where they can buy local food. They will also be creating a website to act as a central hub for the information, and promoting this information to provincial and national directories.”
Producers in southeast Alberta are encouraged to contact the EDA at 403-488-7015 to find out how they can be added to the directory and promoted as part of Savour the Southeast.
For future promotions and updates on the official launch in the spring, visit www.edalliance.ca to stay connected.
Funding from the EDA, Friends of EDA Agriculture (MNP, C & H Irrigation, TD Bank Group, Rick Porter Group of Companies, Servus Credit Union and the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede) as well as the Rural Community Adaptation Grant Program (RCAP) a Government of Alberta initiative, have made these projects possible.