Rockford development council sells itself at this trade show

By Jeff Kolkey
RRSTAR.COM

ROCKFORD — Rockford Area Economic Development Council officials showed off what they are doing to market Rockford to potential new industries and employers while touting the council itself to potential new members and investors during a membership event Wednesday night.

Organizers turned a conference room inside the Radisson Hotel into something that resembled a life-size version of the council’s website. Booths and tables set up around the room each featured a different aspect of regional economic development and offered reams of information, brochures and pamphlets.

Council President Janyce Fadden said the idea was to turn the its typical second-quarter event into a trade show that taught people a little more about what it does.

“In a short period of time you can go around the room and pretty much touch everything we are working on,” Fadden said. “We are really showcasing to our investors and attendees what we do, how we spend money on marketing materials, what our marketing message is and how we interface with prospects.”

Fadden said the council is ready to debut social media tools like Twitter and Facebook for its websites. As a not-for-profit economic development organization, Fadden said, the council had tested social media tools with its EIGERlab website and wants to expand its use because prospective employers, site selectors and others could be using social media tools.

Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp said a regional approach to economic development is a key to improving the economy. Improvements in the Rockford economy are a boost for Freeport as well, he said.

“The economy will turn around sooner or later, and whoever is poised on the cusp of renewal is going to be the winner,” Gaulrapp said.

Bill Roop, the council’s chairman and CEO of Alpine Bank, said the group’s primary focus is bringing jobs and wealth to the community through marketing Rockford to potential new employers and companies while helping businesses expand.

Roop also made a sales pitch for any companies that aren’t investors to join the council.

“It’s the vitality of the community we are talking about,” Roop said. “If you aren’t at the table, I think you need to be.”

Fadden asked council investors to aid in economic development by referring potential entrepreneurs to the EIGERlab, referring the council to companies that might consider Rockford, attending Bioenergy Days 2010 or contacting the council if they hear a company could expand or relocate out of the area.

“Companies are going to be coming out of this recession hard and fast, and they are going to have issues to get product to clients,” Fadden said. “If there are ways we can be of assistance, then give us a call.”

Reach staff writer Jeff Kolkey at jkolkey@rrstar.com or 815-987-1374.