Chamber launches regional branding campaign

The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the start of a regional branding campaign to highlight the communities within the Sebago Lakes Region. The Chamber represents ten towns including Casco, Raymond, Windham, Standish, Gray, New Gloucester, Naples, Sebago, Limington and Limerick.

On September 24th, Aimee Senatore, Executive Director of the SLRCC met with seven of the ten town managers to discuss her idea of a more organized and visual regional branding initiative. “To date, there is little being done to brand what towns this region encompasses,” said Senatore. Whether it be tourists from out of state or people who currently live in our towns, this branding campaign will better educate everyone as to what the Sebago Lakes region actually is.”

Leadership within the SLRCC feels strongly about having the Chamber spearhead this initiative in collaboration with town management. In late 2013, the Chamber adopted a brand new strategic plan which included a revised mission statement:

The mission of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce is to foster and sustain economic growth and prosperity throughout the region by promoting commerce through marketing, advocacy, networking and education, in a manner that enhances the communities we represent.

This branding campaign is going to help us market the region and the unique communities within it. “Although this region is well known for big Sebago Lake, the area encompasses over 15 bodies of water that people enjoy all year through in every season. Those lakes are located in many of our towns and are vital to our local economies.

Currently, six of the ten towns within the SLRCC have enthusiastically embraced the branding campaign to include: Windham, Standish, Raymond, Casco, Gray and Sebago. Senatore is meeting with Naples this month and New Gloucester in December. The towns were very supportive in helping the Chamber finance the effort and get the signs installed in the ground.

Signs will be located within five to 10 feet of the “Welcome to” signs in each of the communities.

“My hope,” said Senatore, “is to continue this branding campaign into a second and third phase. The signage was only step one. I am encouraged by the support of our community leadership and look forward to more innovative and exciting projects to put the Sebago Lakes Region on the map. This campaign is fostering a stronger sense of partnership and connection within our communities, marketing our region in a new visual way.”