What is Kimberley's story? What does Kimberley have that makes it unique among other communities? Makes it a desirable place to work and live?
Articulating that identity to others, and even defining it for those who already live in Kimberley, is no easy task.
The City of Kimberley has budgeted $80,000 in their financial plan to do just that and they have chosen a local, award-winning business, Story & Co., to tell Kimberley's story.
"We are looking for a consistent message about our community," said the City's Chief Operating Officer Al Mulholland. "The Bavarian theme is still part of who we are, but what's the story? What are our assets as a community? We want a positive and upbeat message. Kimberley has some positive and unique assets."
Creating this kind of vision is beyond the expertise of City staff says Economic Development Director Kevin Wilson and that's why the City sought out the best to do it for them.
The fact that the best turned out to be right here in Kimberley in the form of Story & Co. is just a happy coincidence, Wilson says.
Nor does it rest on Story & Co. coming in under budget with their bid, although budget was definitely part of the selection process.
The selection committee made it clear from the start that winning the bid rested on which company could clearly demonstrate they could create a branding and marketing strategy that works exclusively for Kimberley.
"They are an award winning group," Wilson said of Story & Co. "It was a really competitive process. We had 17 proposals from all over the country — Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary — these guys were just clearly among the best. And their presentation to the selection committee last week confirmed it."
Wilson says contract negotiations with Story & Co. will begin almost immediately.
Story & Co. have worked with Shuswap Tourism, the District of Sparwood, Kicking Horse Resort, Tourism Golden and Revelstoke.
The selection committee was made up of Wilson and Troy Pollock from the City of Kimberley, Jesse Ferguson from Tourism Kimberley, Greg Bradley from the Kimberley Chamber and Wendy Van Puymbroeck from Kootenay Rockies Tourism.