Bragg Creek’s Chamber of Commerce is rolling out the welcome mat for tourists and local residents.
The flash flooding that devastated communities across southern Alberta in June damaged the majority of storefront and home-based businesses in all four of the shopping malls in Bragg Creek.
In an effort to resuscitate local tourism the Bragg Creek & Area Chamber of Commerce reacted quickly, with funds from their savings and assistance from Rocky View County to create the “Always Welcome Campaign” – a comprehensive post flood marketing strategy designed to encourage both tourists and locals to support the hamlet’s businesses.
Bragg Creek & Area Chamber of Commerce President Pam Shewchuk said the chamber has funded approximately $30,000 to date towards the Always Welcome and Shop Local Campaign, with $10,000 in funds from Rocky View County.
Candace Hendrickson, Bragg Creek & Area Chamber of Commerce vice-president, said while the chamber is promoting the majority of Bragg Creek’s store-front and home-based businesses now open, they must also be sensitive to the community’s business owners who are still rebuilding and those who do not yet know if they will ever reopen.
“Our marketing campaign has been designed to roll out in stages thereby allowing businesses that are still rebuilding time to reopen as it progresses,” she said.
“It has been so heart wrenching to see business owners suffer and go through such a tragic time,” she added. “Not only has our business corridor changed but our landscape has changed as well.”
Hendrickson said she hopes tourists will come back to Bragg Creek to shop, dine and enjoy the beauty of the hamlet. She also hopes locals will support area businesses that generously donate to community fundraisers and events.
Rocky View County Economic Development Manager Dave Kalinchuk said he is working with the chamber to promote the hamlet, and decided to dedicate money from his department’s budget to pay for the design and messaging of two superboards that are the showpiece of their marketing campaign.
“The superboards are very effective and immediate way to promote the area,” said Kalinchuk. “Bragg Creek has an amazing volunteer base, amazing businesses and an amazing chamber. Why wouldn’t I support this campaign?”
The campaign also includes a shop-local contest, posters, advertisements in local community newspapers and a social media campaign.
“A huge thank you to Rocky View County for their financial support as we rebuild and reconnect our residents and visitors to our beloved area,” said Hendrickson.
Bragg Creek advertising agency AdMaki also created a new Bragg Creek pine cone logo representing longevity, growth and endurance. Hendrickson said the chamber hopes local groups and businesses will use it on their promotional materials to establish and maintain a consistent brand for the community.
According to Kalinchuk, the chamber and business community should market Bragg Creek as a day-trip destination to the 1.3 million people in Calgary and area including Elbow Valley, Springbank, Okotoks, Priddis, Cochrane, Bearspaw and Airdrie.
“Once word gets out to the surrounding consumer population, they will come to the area to visit the unique shops and gourmet restaurants,” he said.
Impressed by the community’s resilience and desire to rebuild, Kalinchuk said his department also gave $5,000 for a five-week radio campaign produced by Bragg Creek real estate agent Dwayne Zaba, to help promote businesses during the recovery period.
Zaba said he produced the radio spots to work in conjunction with the chamber’s marketing initiatives and is he is also working with the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association to brand Bragg Creek and nearby Kananaskis as a trails Mecca.
“We have the best all-season trails in the world and are the closest opportunity for people from Calgary and surrounding communities to enjoy Kananaskis,” said Zaba. “Our tag is Bragg Creek is the Gateway to Kananaskis.”
Economic development is essential for financial survival of the businesses in Bragg Creek who must work together to promote the area as an all season tourist destination, said Zaba.
Business owners are also concerned about the upcoming slow winter months, he added, because the tourist dollars they rely on during the typically busy summer are down so far this year.
“Businesses were hoping for a decent summer and what we got was a devastating flood,” said Zaba, adding he is optimistic the hamlet will rebound because the flood galvanized Bragg Creek’s community spirit.
Kalinchuk is also optimistic about the future of the Bragg Creek business community and said Rocky View County has plans to continue investing in the community.
“This won’t be the last project we’ll be doing with the local businesses and chamber in Bragg Creek,” said Kalinchuk. “People are getting aboard and there are other partners we’re working with – stay tuned.”
For more information, visit
www.visitbraggcreek.com
