When opportunity knocks
Organizations, businesses continue to capitalize on website interest
It may have happened weeks ago, but the effects of a website inviting Americans to come to Cape Breton if U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump wins the presidency is still being felt locally.
The www.cbiftrumpwins.co m website, created by local radio personality Rob Calabrese, invited Americans to move here if Trump wins the presidency. Although meant in jest, the site hit a serious chord with thousands, who have been contacting tourism officials, realtors, lawyers, educators and others asking about how to move here.
“Over the past month, many citizens and organizations have reached out to us asking how they can get involved in this conversation, understanding the positive implications of this worldwide coverage and the gift Rob has given to us all,” said Mary Tulle of Destination Cape Breton. “It has been inspiring to see the level of interest expressed.”
Destination Cape Breton recently met with interested stakeholders about how to turn the interest into opportunity.
One suggestion was to develop a website portal that allows users to easily find information relating to studying, working and living here, visiting the island on holiday and bringing business ventures to Cape Breton. Other ideas included hosting a reverse trade mission with interested businesses, targeting niche audiences for relocation and creating a brand for the campaign.
“We really just scratched the surface on what is possible in the next weeks and months to keep this incredible momentum going and we invite anyone who has their own ideas to share with us,” says Tulle.
The organization plans to keep responding to media interest and working with industry to move some of these ideas to actualization. Local entrepreneur Wayne Miller says it’s important to capitalize on the opportunity while it exists.
“We need to reach more people worldwide and let them know about this great place, we need to fulfil their inquiries with the best- available information and, at the end of the day, we need to turn their interest into opportunity for our island.”