Chamber considers Michigan advertising

The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is considering advertising in Michigan to entice visitors and shoppers with the low Canadian dollar.

"Hopefully we'll get something going," Chamber general manager Gene Nori said after a Tuesday-night presentation by representatives of COPS Marketing Group Inc.

The meeting was told that 10 million people live in Michigan, most within a day's drive of the Sault.

There are 38,500 people in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Chippewa County, 278,000 within a two- or three-hour drive from here, 633,200 within a three- or five-hour drive, and 8,987,944 within a five- to eight-hour drive.

Chamber members were told that the low Canadian dollar is a compelling reason for Americans to visit the Sault, but that advertising should state prices in U.S. dollars instead of trying to explain the complexity of exchange rates.

Various media strategies involving print, radio and television were discussed. One member suggested a billboard campaign along the I-75 interstate highway.

54 members of the Sault Chamber have expressed interest in some form of co-operative advertising in Michigan.

A questionnaire is being distributed to Chamber members to determine their advertising preferences, and further meetings will be held with individual sector groups.

To receive free, real-time updates of SooToday.com's exclusive coverage of local news, just send an Email with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line to [email protected].