{newsfeed } by T H O M A S O L I V E R
BRANDING HUMBOLDT: MARKETING THE FLOWERS & THE TREES A new marketing strategy takes root. A 40-year working relationship between the City of Eu-
tential for growth. EHVB Marketing and Media Director
reka and the Eureka-Humboldt Visitors Bureau (EHVB)
and Interim Director Richard Stenger then stepped up to
may come to an end this summer over divergent views on
plead the EHVB’s case to remain the proprietor of market-
how to brand the region’s world-famous trees and flow-
ing services. The crux of the issue: Does the EHVB, which
ers. At a February 5 meeting, the Eureka City Council voted
is responsible for marketing Humboldt County as a whole,
unanimously to approve a request for proposals (RFP) for
not only Eureka, dynamically promote and represent the
marketing services. The winner will be selected on May 7
city to justify its yearly funding?
and will be under contract beginning July 1.
The city council meeting caused quite a stir. Thirty cit-
In February, Eureka’s Director of Development Services
izens of Eureka took to the podium for public comment,
Rob Holmlund presented the City of Eureka’s position on
including owners of the city’s four largest hotels, EHVB
the pitfalls of the current marketing strategy and the po-
board members, and concerned public citizens. Across
14 MAY 2019 Emerald Triangle
