American Mayor To Throw Bermuda Party
An American mayor is using Bermuda’s reputation for fun and leisure to his advantage in promoting his city’s downtown allure, with plans for a “Wear Your Bermudas to Work Day” on August 15, 2014, in advance of an inaugural block party, dubbed “Bermudas on the Bricks.”
Mayor Dayne Walling of the city of Flint, Michigan is counting on the Bermuda-theme to inspire adults to reintroduce themselves to what the city’s downtown district has to offer.
According to mlive.com, “The 21-and-up party will shut down the 500 block of downtown Saginaw Street, where Shaltz’s and Lurvey’s restaurants are located, and a party will be set up right on the iconic red bricks of downtown.
“The party will feature dancing, a beer truck, food, live music and a DJ. And everyone is expected to wear Bermuda shorts.”
“There are still a lot of people in Genesee County that haven’t experienced downtown Flint, day or night,” Walling said, adding that he hopes this party will be part of a larger effort to convince people “that downtown Flint is alive.”
“Shortly after Mayor Walling declared August 15 as “Wear Your Bermudas to Work Day,” dozens of local businesses signed on for the idea, ready to loosen up, let their employees wear Bermuda shorts to work, and join the party in the streets later in the day.
“Organizer Phil Shaltz said he hopes this turns into an annual event, one he believes in time will be called the BOB for short. He said he and Lurvey are committed to doing it for more than one year in an effort to make it a downtown tradition.”
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‘one he believes in time will be called the BOB for short’
wonder if he knows what BOB usually means….LMAO!!!!
Major Walling may not be aware that one of Flint’s most famous residents/families has had a strong connection with Bermuda for upwards of a century, namely Mr. C. S. Mott (of General Motors fame) and his relations. Their home was in “God’s Country” (Somerset—for dummies) and the family made many benefactions to Bermuda over many decades.
‘Their home was in “God’s Country” (Somerset—for dummies)’
WHO?
I suggest the Mayor of Hamilton sends him a thank you note and a bright pair of shorts to wear. And a bottle of rum!!
Sounds cool.
Goslings should send them crates of rum together with a couple of Bermudian bartenders to mix Bermudian inspired drinks. A Bermuda theme pop-up featuring Goslings probably would increase market share for your dark rum.
The tourism board could setup a pop-up information desk, and the history of Bermuda (geographically where it is and who Bermudians are) can work to your advantage.
If there is a radio show covering the event, why not offer an all inclusive paid holiday (for either a couple or family)to Bermuda based upon winner’s knowledge of Bermuda (no politics please). Or, should a Bermudian radio show host be sent to cover the event. From interviewing the Mayor, to the man in the street, whilst speaking about all things Bermudian, this is a great opportunity.
And it’s being created by external interests (Mayor of Flint). So, with agility and flexibility coordinate with them, it could be value added for Bermuda.
Excellent idea!
Ditto !!!!!
You have clearly never been to Flint. The “man in the street” is probably looking to rob you. The people there are busy trying to survive…or leave. A Bermuda vacation is NOT in the their plans at all.
We shouldn’t have to have tell the tourism board to participate. It should be automatic. But of course they know it all. Work in tourism and don’t know crap.
Please also send a Gombey troup to perform for their entertainment
please send a Bermuda Gombey Troup to entertain.
Have a quick Google of Flint Michigan.
http://www.businessinsider.com/why-is-flint-michigan-dangerous-2013-6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint,_Michigan
“It has also been in a state of financial emergency since 2011, the second in a decade”
I’ll bet this is nothing but a gimmick to justify the Mayor’s trip here for the conference.
Been there three years ago –
Some areas are doing ok and many areas are in a high crime depressed state — they haven’t been the same since GM pulled all there
factory’s out and relocated elsewhere in the 1980′s – they were doing real great until the United Auto Workers demanded to much and shut down work at the GM factories with a series of strikes…… take note BIU!
Looks like the Mayor of Flint going to be promoting his City to Tourism,and International Business.- at least thats what he will see here.
Well thanks Mr.Mayor for choosing Bermuda. – wait till he finds out the Mayor of Hamilton only comes out after dark.[ lol] and the St.Georges Mayor is tending to his Palm Tree top Shelters on the St.Georges Squire.[ lol]
How many potential Bermuda tourists do you think there are left in Flint?
aceboy, how many potential tourists did you think were in Africa?
Good ideas posted. Hope someone will at least send him the shorts and rum!!
Aceboy
Look they are organizing a block party, NOT attempting to migrant to Bermuda.
There is nothing like thumbing down your nose at the genuineness of others.
God, get over your self-opinion, self-importance that Bermuda is the jewel in the crown. If that were the case, then what when wrong with tourism in Bermuda? No, let me google it.
Aceboy
Look they are organizing a block party, NOT attempting to migrant to Bermuda.
There is nothing like thumbing down your nose at the genuineness of others.
God, get over your self-opinion, self-importance that Bermuda is the jewel in the crown. If that were the case, then what WENT wrong with tourism in Bermuda? No, let me google it.
The theme is “Wear Your Bermudas to Work”. People are not going to drive from all over the state for that are they? They might be….at work.
If you lived in a nice suburb in Detroit (yes there are such things) would you drive to Flint for a block party?
Read the article. People are LEAVING Flint Michigan as fast as they can.
Are retired auto factory workers our tourist market now?
If you want to thumb it down, then by all means you are on the right track.
But if you have never lived in Michigan, and I have, do not give us an opinion based on what you may think the people of Michigan will do or go for a block party.
The perception of a block party in Bermuda, and yes I have lived in Bermuda, is much different from a block party in Michigan.
And yes, I have driven to Flint to see and hear jazz concerts, arts concerts, political campaign speeches and block parties.
Your tourist market is the people who can afford to come to Bermuda, retired auto workers, executives and any others. Make tourists feel welcome and they will spend their disposable income. Make them feel that you value a sterotype of tourist rather than their comfort and enjoyable experience and you will kill any attempts to revive the tourist industry.
There is a very fine line between affordability and value for money, and only the customer has the last word.