Daring new brand strategy to reposition Victor Harbor

Business Victor Harbor held its first event of the year yesterday; a Business Collaboration Breakfast at McCracken Country Club. The event was attended by 65 members, business representatives and stakeholders – a record number of attendees for a BVH networking gathering.

It was clear by the large number in attendance there is a vested interest and excitement around the ‘Breathe Victor’ initiative – a daring new marketing and brand strategy to reposition the Victor Harbor brand and further stimulate economic activity in the region.

The strategy is a collaboration between Business Victor Harbor and the City of Victor Harbor to develop and bring the new brand to life. An initial ‘Breathe’ steering committee has been formed with representatives from both the City of Victor Harbor and Business Victor Harbor, including:

Kirsten Pitman – BVH Board Member and local restaurateur

Stuart Riddell – BVH Board Member and GM McCracken Country Club

Derek McIlroy – BVH Executive Officer

Renee Ancell – BVH Business Support Executive

Tara Butler – City of Victor Harbor Digital Marketing Officer

Cathy Riddell – City of Victor Harbor Business Operations Coordinator – Visitor Services

BVH Executive Officer Derek McIlroy, BVH Board Member Kirsten Pitman, BVH Board Member Stuart Riddell and City of Victor Harbor Chief Executive Officer Victoria MacKirdy presented on the latest developments of ‘Breathe Victor’ and its aim to capitalise on the current and growing trend for living life away from the hustle and bustle of large metropolitan areas, whilst still benefiting from a modern and sophisticated world close at hand.

All of the speakers stressed the importance of the business community’s involvement and support in ensuring the strategy’s success and called on expressions of interest to join the newly formed steering committee.

“There is no doubt that there is a need to take action to reimagine and transition to create our future economy in Victor Harbor. The ‘Breathe Victor’ initiative aims to build a thriving, sustainable and diverse economy but ensuring clarity of vision and commonality of collaborative approaches is paramount to its success”

BVH Chairman Michael Schubert

City of Victor Harbor Chief Executive Officer Victoria MacKirdy spoke of the direct link to the recently developed Economic Development Strategy and the Council’s commitment to working in partnership with Business Victor Harbor to help resource and drive the strategy’s inception.

The ‘Breathe Victor’ initiative is currently in the concept development / proof of concept stage including stakeholder engagement, market research, forming of the steering committee and business case planning. To express your interest in being an active member of the ‘Breathe Victor’ steering committee or to provide feedback on either the concept or the event, please email Business Victor Harbor at members@businessvictorharbor.com.au.

Download the Breathe Victor presentation:Download

Attendees also heard a presentation by nbn Community Engagement Manager SA Travis Bates on nbn’s Business Fibre Initiative, a multi-faceted package designed to support business innovation, productivity and growth. You can contact Travis on travisbates@nbnco.com.au.

Travis’s nbn presentation can be read here:Download

A big thank you to those that attended and we hope to see you at our next event, our Quarterly Industry Snapshot to be held on Thursday March 25th. SAVE THE DATE…more details coming soon!