Finally, we need a new approach to marketing the region. The entrepreneur looking for a place to relocate or start a business, the tourist, the retiree or second home buyer, and the industrial relocation specialist will all probably visit their prospective communities online before even considering a physical visit. Many potential clients will first look at the broader area and then begin filtering down to specific places. The sequence might go like this. I want to relocate to the Southeast.
Lets see which communities match up well with our lifestyle interests.
Our marketing program should include traditional media, trade show participation, networking with AdvantageWest and DOC, and the Internet. It means that our counties need to work together to develop a comprehensive sub-regional marketing program. It means that each community must be online with a comprehensive and functional community site. Each local government should also be online and linked to the community site. It means that we should develop marketing materials parallel to the web content to promote Northwestern NC alongside our individual counties.