PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce has a new marketing slogan — “Port Angeles: The Authentic Northwest.”
After reviewing suggestions and ideas from the community, the new slogan was formulated by a committee and endorsed by the chamber’s board of directors on Friday.
It will replace the chamber’s current slogan — “Port Angeles, Washington: The Center Of It All On The Olympic Peninsula” — on brochures and posters and on the chamber’s website.
The current slogan had been used for the past seven years, and it was time for an update, said Russ Veenema, chamber executive director.
Said Laurel Black, owner of Laurel Black Design, a Port Angeles-based graphics and marketing firm, and spokeswoman for the selection committee:
“This marketing statement is a great way to describe in a very short way what Port Angeles offers, not only to visitors, but to anyone who contemplates relocating to our part of the Northwest.
“The suggestions turned in by the public reflected that Port Angeles occupies a very unique position in the region.
“It can lay claim to a rich past of natural history, fishing, logging, Native Americans, pioneers, big trees, big mountains, big fish and the big events that shaped the Olympic Peninsula.
“It refers to Port Angeles’ historic downtown, one of the authentic few remaining in America, and also underscores the genuineness of the small town experience and the people who live here.
“Authenticity continues to be alive and well in our neck of the woods.
“As for economic development, authenticity is a sought-after (and elusive) quality that rates high with businesses.”
Black added: “When the Chamber creates a promotion, it could say, for example, ‘The Authentic Northwest: Find it here.’
“Or ‘The Authentic Northwest: Find it at the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival.’
“Or ‘The Authentic Northwest. A Perfect Place to Retire.’
“As long as the tag line isn’t added to or otherwise distorted, it will retain its power.”