CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — The Cape May County Chamber, the area’s “Voice of the Business Community,” has an updated brand designed to better represent the Chamber’s leadership role in the County. The need for a new brand – or logo – was identified during the organizations most recent strategic planning and has been under construction for the past year.
“Many people loved the logo with the butterfly and soft colors representing our tourism-driven economy and unique eco-system,” according to Vicki Clark, President of the Chamber. “But that logo was more than 20 years old and it was time for a change. Many aspects of business in the County have changed and it is time for the Chamber to better represent our involvement in all aspects of business in Cape May County. We will forever enjoy a tourism-dominated economy, but we should be intentionally expanding and developing new areas of opportunity.”
Working with a committee of Chamber members representing marketing expertise from diverse backgrounds, the process was long but productive. Debbie Gioquindo, owner of Social Vine, reflected, “We first developed core values, a mission and vision statements that led us to the Chamber’s unique selling proposition – Supporting, Strengthening, Unifying. Then we studied and analyzed colors, shapes and graphics along with the iconic assets of the County.”
With a clear, strong visual image as the goal, blue and green were chosen for several reasons. The new logo features the words Cape May County Chamber in a bright green, blocked format with the word Chamber as the dominate focus. A two-toned blue wave flows under Chamber. “These colors reflect the Chamber’s bright and bold outlook and the inclusive, welcoming feeling extended by the Chamber to member businesses, non-members and visitors alike,” shared Denise Wieand, owner of Allegra Marketing, Print & Mail. “Blue and green also represent the ocean and bay waters, the sky and the beautiful greenery of our environment both on the islands and offshore communities.”
John Kelly, Marketing Director for the Chamber, said, “The wave communicates that the Chamber is always in motion, working for our members and representing the business perspective on issues important to success in Cape May County. It reflects our economy’s dependency on beach tourism and also that the chamber is fluid with the ability to respond as our businesses need us to. The block lettering represents the strength of the Chamber – strength in numbers as the County’s largest business organization, strength of benefits to our members, and strength as the recognized and respected voice of the Cape May County business community.”
Amy Mahon chaired this committee for the Chamber. Amy is the Marketing Manager at Reich Asset Management and wanted to make sure that the new logo incorporated Cape May County’s unique environment and seasonal economy along with the Chamber’s commitment to more year round job development. “I think the wave does a good job of this. The blue wave along with green lettering represent our eco-system and the block lettering makes me think ‘business’. The Cape May County Chamber is truly the premier resource for local businesses and I think it is important to have a bold image going forward.”
Once the conceptual design was decided, the Chamber charged its own Brigitta Scott, graphic artist and Communications and Events Director, with the artistic representation. “Brigitta’s artistic abilities paired with her knowledge and understanding of design added tremendous value to the process. She had the ability to keep the committee on track and achieve the goal of a strong, visual logo with simple lines and detail that will reproduce well. Understanding how the logo would look when used in multiple formats was critically important to our process,” added Clark.
The Chamber held a Facebook Live event at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept 6. to unveil the new logo: https://www.facebook.com/CapeMayCountyChamber/videos/10155025533138553/
Lower Township – Who are these people that are obvious experts on trash cans and leaf pick-up? Maybe they don't have any trash to put out or leaves in their yard!!
