Stephanie Schoenrock, L. John MacMartin

What’s the best way to showcase all that Minot has to offer? It’s an important question to ask because the answer means attracting and retaining businesses, growing the economy and ultimately improving the quality of life in the city. It’s also a question the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce, Minot Area Development Corporation (MADC) and Visit Minot have been asking separately since each organization was formed. But what if there was a better, unified way to highlight the heart and soul of the Magic City?

Two years ago stakeholders from across the community came together to look at ways to bring the community together. Part of this effort was the formation of numerous technical teams, including one known as One Brand. The goal was to understand the needs and wants within Minot in order to improve investment, grow entrepreneurialism, market the city and enhance the quality of life. Much work has been done to accomplish these tasks since 2018, beginning with a survey of residents to understand how you feel about our city. And it turns out, you love Minot.

Information from the survey was used to guide our organizations in the development of a citywide marketing plan. What better way to promote our community than to have our residents and visitors share what they love about Minot? On Thursday, One Brand partners including the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce, MADC, Visit Minot as well as the City of Minot, Downtown Minot and the Minot Park District debuted It’s Magic in Minot.

Colorful and vibrant just like the city, It’s Magic in Minot features a unified logo and marketing plan that highlights a community full of energy and a spirit for being a better place to live, visit and love. As a resident of Minot, you’ve probably noticed the new logo popping up on social media and places around town, like the new mural under way on the JB Warehouse building in downtown Minot. But the heart of this campaign highlights all the ways to love Minot by featuring our best assets: you! The people of our community are what make our city so magical and in turn makes our businesses, attractions, and quality of life alive and authentic.

As One Brand partners we’re eager to kick-off a campaign that will showcase our city with a collective voice. We invite you to take part in the fun, too, either from home, or while safely using social distancing best practices when out in the community. Look around the new website MagicInMinot.com to discover 10 ways to love Minot. See what your friends and neighbors are up to when they are out in the city. Share your photos and videos about what makes Minot Magic for a chance to win Chamber bucks that can be spent at participating downtown businesses. We also invite you to share what makes Minot Magic to you on social media using #MagicInMinot. There are so many ways for you to share and enjoy the Magic in Minot with others and we can’t wait to see it!

Schoenrock is executive director of the Minot Convention and Visitors Bureau; MacMartin is Minot Area Development Corporation Interim President and president of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce.