CVB director stresses marketing to Chamber

Marketing isn't quite Nancy Mark's middle name but it seems it soon might be.

For the new Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) executive director told Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce board members Thursday afternoon that marketing of the community and digital marketing to promote a new CVB website will be essential to operations of the tourism agency.

"Tourism really is about marketing and driving people to destinations," Mark told the Chamber board during its luncheon meeting at Putnam Inn.

In only her fifth day on the job Thursday, the Putnam County native went around the table, asking Chamber members to share what they believe are the community's strengths.

The answers ranged from the people who live here to a sense of community to the presence of DePauw University, community commitment to the schools and vice versa, recreational opportunities, the development of small businesses and a strategic location.

While real estate people will tell you the three most important things are "location, location, location," Mark might massage that message into "marketing, marketing, marketing"

A former IBMer who was "shipped out" after the Greencastle plant's closing announcement in November 1986, Mark said she is delighted to come home after more than 25 years in high-level marketing positions at companies around the country.

Admitting she hadn't been back to Greencastle since the IBM departure, Mark observed that "the changes have been phenomenal," adding that the revamped DePauw campus "looks fabulous."

Overall, she praised Putnam County as "pretty perfect" and a "nice bend of people and communities."

"I can't imagine living anywhere else," Mark said excitedly. "I'm back. Yeah!"

Among the first orders of business, she said, will be the creation of "the community website of our dreams."

Mark stressed that the CVB will need to market the website and what's on it, and noted that "digital marketing to promote the website" will be essential.

The CVB has secured a $35,000 grant specifically to develop a website presence not only for the bureau but as a community portal as well.

"I'm really thrilled to be back in the community," Mark reiterated, adding that "with the amount of talent we have here, I'm overwhelmed. I'm just thrilled to be a part of it all."