For Immediate Release                                              
January 26, 2010      

Contact:  Melanie Lee
Phone: (337) 948-5227
tourism@cityofopelousas.com                             

City Branding Sessions Planned for Opelousas

(Opelousas, LA) - The City of Opelousas is looking to sharpen its identity and is welcoming public input on the project.  More specifically, the Office of Tourism is looking to develop a cohesive brand that reflects the city's image.   A series of round table discussions are scheduled for next week at the Civic Center in South City Park including two sessions designed for the general public on Monday, February 1st at 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, February 2 at 8:00 a.m.  Additional meetings will be held throughout the afternoon on Monday targeting image setting groups such as Opelousas Main Street, Opelousas Historic Commission, city officials and staff, local key attraction holders, community residents, parish representatives, etc.

Modeled after a community design charrette, the branding resource visit is designed to immerse the project team in the community in order to produce a branding program.  The input sessions will be facilitated group sessions that will concentrate on the community’s brand image. The resource visit, which will involve a two and half-day process focused on Opelousas, is being performed by Arnett & Muldrow, who specializes in branding for communities and has worked with over 100 communities in 17 states.  More recently, the agency was just hired by the State to help brand the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area.  According to Tripp Muldrow with the agency, one of the major objectives of a branding initiative is to build community pride around an agreed set of images, phrases and use those to project that pride to potential investors, visitors, and businesses.

On the third day of the branding/resource visit, the agency will present a presentation to the community.  The presentation will provide the community with a solid direction for the brand and feedback will be welcome for further brand refinement.  The branding project is funded with support from a Certified Local Government Grant administered through the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation Office. 

For more information, contact Opelousas Tourism at 337-948-5227 or tourism@cityofopelousas.com