In a decided nod toward the universal appeal of the broader Sister Lakes community, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce has modernized its logo and unveiled a brand new, interactive, mobile website thanks to the work of St. Joseph marketing agents at Holt Bosse, the same firm that crafted the chamber’s new updated logo.
The new website and logo are part of the burgeoning branding campaign depicting both Dowagiac and its neighboring Sister Lakes region, as created by Holt Bosse.
Holt Bosse, the full-service marketing firm from St. Joseph, was hired last year to guide the organization in the development of the new logo and website. Kim MacGregor who serves as the Chamber of Commerce president and is also a financial advisor for Edward Jones, said the Board of Directors elected to retire the “Grand Old City” image, developed in the early-1990s, when the City of Dowagiac and its Downtown Development Authority developed the Front and Depot Drive streetscape projects. The new logo depicts a broader image of the community, Dowagiac’s central business district and its neighboring Sister Lakes.
MacGregor says, “Holt Bosse is best known for its traditional, yet experiential marketing approach to enhance customers and increase word of mouth advertising.” Working in conjunction with Katie White from Holt Bosse was a committee comprised of MacGregor and Chamber program director Vickie Phillipson, along with Trisha Hunt, also of Edward Jones, and Chamber past president Dr. Tim Dowsett.
White said the website, DowagiacChamber.com, was designed to enhance navigation and mobility, while also updating the look and technology of the former site, which was created nearly 15 years ago.
MacGregor says, “Our committee, which was diverse in age, brought together different styles, that were then paired with Holt Bosse’s up-to-date technology.” She adds, “We discussed flow, benefits to our members, including click-throughs to member websites and, most importantly, how we wanted to package information for first-time visitors to the site and to Dowagiac. We left behind a lot of verbiage, created more pictures and made it user friendly.”
Phillipson says one of the most important differences between this and the former website is the added technology, which now allows staff to update information and photos in house, rather than relying on a second party to do so. She points out, “As such, the public will find an ever-changing website. We added several photos, featuring member businesses and a community calendar, where Chamber member businesses can submit information on their upcoming sales and in-house events.”
Phillipson says members who would like to submit photos to accompany their website listing, may do so by emailing them to her at VPhillipson@Dowagiac.org. PayPal has also been added to the site, allowing members to pay their annual dues on line, while visitors to the website can also purchase items from Whistlestop Gifts.
Here’s a link to the new website, so you can see for yourself the advancements and the new, modernized look for Dowagiac: http://DowagiacChamber.com
