“Destination Downtown” Theme Adopted by Main Street

Main Street Promotions Committee members work to plan the “Destination Downtown” themed activities. l. to r., first row, Casey VanHoesen, Nancy Tyndall, Suzanne Zanardi and Barbara Impson l. to r. second row, Ginger Scott and Brook Lindsey

Ponca City Main Street is an organization which tries to successfully boost the economy and consumer/tourist traffic in downtown Ponca City though a variety of activities and projects. Main Street also tries to create a positive image in the district through the design of the streetscape and the quality of the environment with the assistance and funding of the City of Ponca City.

One of the current projects to improve the image of the district is a new marketing themed package which has been created by the organization as a whole entitled “Destination Downtown”. The idea of the concept “Destination Downtown” is to create an image and a feeling in the hearts and minds of the consumer and tourist that Downtown Ponca City has a lot to offer and is a true destination to visit containing many sites to see and experiences to have.

All four of the PCMS committees, I.e. Promotions, Organization, Design and Economic Restructuring, have a role to play in promoting the “Destination Downtown” theme and are utilizing it in their activities this year.

“Over a year ago the Promotions Committee came up with the idea for “Destination Downtown” to brand an image of downtown being a destination in and of itself, says Jayne Detten, PCMS Program Director. The historic district is home to tourism sites, historic murals, the community theatre, the Chamber of Commerce, City Hall and many retail businesses and restaurants. It’s definitely a destination place!”

The PCMS Promotions Committee has implemented a series of “Destination Downtown” Cable TV commercials which highlight various member businesses in the area and tell the public what goods and service each has to offer. These commercials run on a regular basis and are altered each month to show a different group of business according to a certain business category. The “Destination Downtown” theme used in the commercials gives a consistent tone to each while highlighting these different categories of businesses such as jewelry stores, financial institutions, clothing retail and the like.

The PCMS Organization Committee will incorporate the theme by combining it with their “Main Street is Positively Ponca City” slogan on publications such as the monthly Downtown Flyer going out to all downtown businesses and also the bi-annual newsletter, The Window.

The “Destination Downtown” theme will soon be applied to an updated reprinting of the current Downtown Business Member Directory and Map by the Economic Restructuring Committee. This tourist piece is available for anyone that wants to find out more about the layout of the district, sites of interest, retail shopping, professional offices, entertainment and meal venues and the historic buildings and history of the City. See the PC Chamber of Commerce office, the Marland Estate, the Pioneer Woman Museum, Standing Bear Museum or the City Hall for copies.

A series of new lamp post banners sporting the “Destination Downtown” theme is hoped for in the future. The PCMS Design Committee’s work plan for 2009 includes approaching the City of Ponca City in a joint project to create and fund these banners which will also add to an updated and inviting image for the district.

For more information about “Destination Downtown” or the PCMS program in general see the web site at poncacitymainstreet.com or call the office at 580-763-8082.