Hamilton's public profile

[Boomtown_Hamilton]

Originally Posted by oldcoote

Simply put, you need to encourage people to visit.

95% of Torontonians think Hamilton is the armpit of Ontario for two reasons:

1. The view from the Skyway

2. Someone told them it is.

The fact is the vast majority have never even been to Hamilton. I know this because I was one of them. I am a Toronto refugee who discovered Hamilton because a few of my University buddies grew up here. It didn't take long for me and my wife to realize the beauty of the city, but the reaction we got from our Toronto friends was completely over the top.

So how do you solve the problem? Invite friends for a hike along the rail trail or through the RBG. Take them down to the waterfront. Go check out a waterfall. Show them the cost of real estate.

This is why I was motivated to do the work that I have done on Hamilton over on wikipedia. Along with the many articles that are there now on Hamilton which include an overview of the city, Its history, the economy and the streets of Hamilton I thought it was also important to include over 500 images of our city because as the Chinese say, "A picture is worth a thousand words". I'm not a professional photographre by any stretch of the imagination but I did my best to capture the best of what I think we have to offer here in town. In addition to this when I uploaded my images online onto wikipedia I intentionally uploaded them without adding any copyrights to them because I want as many people to feel free to use them on any web site they have where they are promoting Hamilton. I think wikipedia is a good way to send out the message on Hamilton especially when you consider that it is the 9th most visited web site on the entire internet and they get over 300-million page hits a day which gave our city unbelievable exposure when it was the featured article there on February 29th of this year. I hope that someone or some company takes a look at the data base we have there on Hamilton over on wikipedia from places like Dubai, Middle East, Japan, Asia or wherever and if I can help to increase their curiosity to the point of wanting to take a trip here to Hamilton to look around to see if we are a great place to move or start a business here then I would be thrilled about that. My only concern is once it gets to that point they might get turned off by all the red tape and beaurocracy we have here in Hamilton.

I think the business community is finally on the right track when they formed and organized this city's very first Economic Summit. I come across people all the time in this town who tell me that when they decide on doing something they just simply do it and leave out the city because if they were to include the city they would be held back and slowed down and they feel that they can get a hell of a lot more done and get farther if they leave the city out of the equation.

[Boomtown_Hamilton]

Originally Posted by flar

We all know Hamilton has a perception problem, the city has all kinds of negative associations. We also have the problem of low national profile and non-existent international profile. I wonder if anyone here knows anything about public relations and media and what could realistically be done to improve the Hamilton "brand?"


We have stores like MEC and others shun downtown in favour of suburban locations. The NHL won't touch Hamilton and it's becoming clear they simply don't want to be associated with the city. No major company headquarters ever consider locating in Hamilton. We don't even have hotels. All levels of government seem to ignore the city--it's rare that anything is ever put in Hamilton (CANMET lab being the only thing I can think of). We only have one TV station, CBC doesn't even have a presence here, and the national media rarely reports anything out of Hamilton.

Hamilton exists in a black hole. What can be done?

Flar,

I think that this is a great topic. The one thing that really sticks out for me that would be a really big surprise for people outside of Hamilton would be the way in which we are surrounded by nature. We have all these great trails like Bruce and Chedoke Rail trail, we have some great things also happening with our waterfront, and we have over 100 waterfalls along the Niagara Escarpment and we need to do a much better job of getting the word out to the world.

One of the best ways that I think we can show all this to the world would be to do what some cities from around the world have done and that is to place web cams in strategic locations in our town that you would like to promote. Places like our Parks, Cootes Paradise, hiking trails, waterfalls, waterfront, and the view that we get of our city from atop the mountain.

I know that there are people in Toronto that are fed up with that concrete jungle they have there and if they knew that just down the road here in Hamilton are all these natural wonders they would be amazed I think to the point of wanting to move the family here as well as their business and or company. So web cams are the way to go I think and once you have the web site set-up we start to target cities and towns all over the province, maybe we target the GTA first and post-up the URL of this web site with the web cams on a number of their billboards in some form of a marketing bitz. We have the technology here with us so lets do something with it!

[Boomtown_Hamilton]

Originally Posted by crhayes

Damn good post; I agree 100%. My opinion is that right now Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster are the only things that Hamilton has going for it.

Is there anything we as the public can do? Like can all of us here on the board band up and start a petition, or our own council and fight City Council? Lol...seriously though, if there is something we can do I would be down. I am just not experienced with this political stuff... I'd like to know your opinion Ryan because you seem to know your sh... excuse the language

After reading everyones posts on these boards (even though sometimes discussions get heated) I think that if we were to form a 'Hamilton Think Tank' (with our plans actually followed through) this city would be amazing.

I think that if we had some people from this forum down at City Hall right now this city would be flying!

I really admire and am extremely impressed with the grassroots movement started off by Ryan McGreal when it comes to the LRT. Sometimes I think I should start one up myself but when I start to think of all the work that it would require it seems at times a daunting task. Having said that, if I were to start a movement myself it would be to get some Film Studios up and running here in Hamilton. Now, I havent been in the film industry too long but I have been in it long enough to know the economic benefits that it can bring to our city. I also network with a lot of the people in the industry so whatever knowledge or expertise I lack I make up for by surrounding myself, which is exactly what I have done, with people who know more and have more experience than I. Add to the fact that I am very studios person by nature and a quick learner with a photographic memory. The Film Studio idea would be my pick.

[omro]

Originally Posted by Boomtown_Hamilton

This is why I was motivated to do the work that I have done on Hamilton over on wikipedia. Along with the many articles that are there now on Hamilton which include an overview of the city, Its history, the economy and the streets of Hamilton I thought it was also important to include over 500 images of our city because as the Chinese say, "A picture is worth a thousand words".

I have to say the Wikipedia pages on Hamilton are incredibly good, I've always been impressed by them and they were a huge selling point for me when Hamilton was just a place on the map before my first visit.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Originally Posted by Boomtown_Hamilton

Sometimes I think I should start one up myself but when I start to think of all the work that it would require it seems at times a daunting task.

Thank you for your very kind words. Honestly, it's not nearly so daunting a task as you might think. The trick is to recognize that any such campaign is a collaborative effort. I'm only one of several founding members, and I don't "own" the LRT campaign by any stretch, as it's a movement started and carried out by several dedicated people who do what we can with the time and resources we have.

We make decisions on a loose consensus basis and we stop frequently to assess how we're doing so we can make sure we're still being productive and effective.

If you're serious about starting a campaign to bring more film productions to Hamilton, I'd be glad to meet with you and share my experience being involved with the LRT campaign. You can reach me via email: [email protected]

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by omro

I have to say the Wikipedia pages on Hamilton are incredibly good, I've always been impressed by them and they were a huge selling point for me when Hamilton was just a place on the map before my first visit.

I second that! Boomtown - are you the one responsible for those pages?? If so, my hats off to you. And congrats on the 'feature article' recently! Way to get word out about the Hammer!

[BrianE]

I think Boomtown is also responsible for a lot of the great Panoramio pictures for Hamilton on Google Earth. Unless I am mistaken about your identity.

[highwater]

Originally Posted by omro

I have to say the Wikipedia pages on Hamilton are incredibly good, I've always been impressed by them and they were a huge selling point for me when Hamilton was just a place on the map before my first visit.

Thirded. Boomtown's wikipedia pages are a monumental achievement. Don't beat yourself up too much about not starting up another grassroots movement. You've done way more than most already.

[astroblaster]

boomtown, i think i said this in another thread, but you're seriously THE MAN for those wikipedia articles. it can't be said enough.

for the record. i'm also interested in getting involved with grassroots activities. i wanted to come to the last LRT meeting.. but something came up last minute.. perhaps the next one, Oct 28th?

Another selling point for Hamilton are the many wonderful old buildings that we have. I am trying to work this angle. This is especially true for attracting people from the 905 suburbs where there is very little history. Some people need that stuff around them.

In general, I feel i could, and should do more, I just don't know what.

[astroblaster]

I work in Mississauga/Toronto and I constantly talk to people about Hamilton, trying to do my small part in changing perceptions.

recent (random) comments:

-hamilton stinks (this is gonna be tough to get rid of... i usually counter with "no it doesn't" or "only certain areas" but then they throw back "you're just used to it" personally i think toronto stinks.)

-a coworker came to hamilton randomly for a day trip. they were impressed. they went downtown and got sushi and were stunned to find Christ Church Cathedral on James. She said it reminded her of Europe.

-another coworker has a boyfriend who lives in hamilton, she has been telling me to check out Ya-man caribbean foods in the international village area. i plan to shortly. she loves this place and states that its better than most toronto area caribbean places. i think thats a great compliment because toronto has no shortage of caribbean food.

-someone else told me they would consider moving to hamilton if they could find a nice old house here.. but wanted something on the mountain.

[raisethehammer]

it's the same story time and time again. People who've never been into Hamilton say it sucks/stinks etc.... but once people come, they are impressed with what we have to offer, even with some of the rougher areas and downtrodden areas. TO has downtrodden areas too. Every city does.
The key is to figure out a way to get more people to visit the city.
Having Hamilton Place rated on of the top 50 concert halls in the world this year certainly helps. I live near York and can assure you that I don't need to know what's happening at Copps to know that something big is happening. I just look out front and see York traffic slowly crawling by (which I love...much more city-like, quiet and safe). TONS of out-of-towners come here for big shows...like last night.
I had a guy pull over on Dundurn at Tom and ask me how to get to Copps. Lol. I told him to get back on York and just keep going - you'll drive right into it.
Too bad York is such a bland, crappy entrance to the city with it's 6 lanes and no retail/commercial activity.
Anyone else who lives near York can confirm this though - a huge portion of concert-goers come from out of town, presumably the GTA if they're getting off the 403 at York.

[flar]

There are some nice old houses on the mountain, but it would be hard to get your hands on one.

[highwater]

Originally Posted by astroblaster

-someone else told me they would consider moving to hamilton if they could find a nice old house here.. but wanted something on the mountain.

Well we all know that's pretty much an oxymoron. Do you know this person well enough to invite them to Hamilton for the day? My hubby did not want to move to Hamilton. Growing up in Niagara, the view from the Skyway was the sum total of his impression of Hamilton. One trip driving around Westdale, Durand, and Kirkendall was enough to change his mind. Of course when we told people we were moving to Hamilton, everyone said "You have to live on the mountain! It's so much cleaner and safer!" Perhaps your aquaintance is under a similar impression and a trip around some of the lower city neighbourhoods will change his/her mind.

[FairHamilton]

So if I'm reading all the above correctly Boomtown = Rick Codeiro, right?

[drpgq]

Originally Posted by astroblaster

-another coworker has a boyfriend who lives in hamilton, she has been telling me to check out Ya-man caribbean foods in the international village area. i plan to shortly. she loves this place and states that its better than most toronto area caribbean places. i think thats a great compliment because toronto has no shortage of caribbean food.

I really like Ya-man too and suggest anyone who hasn't tried it to give it a try.

[sofasurfer]

Originally Posted by drpgq

I really like Ya-man too and suggest anyone who hasn't tried it to give it a try.

This.

I've eaten quite a bit of carribean food in London (UK - particularly Brixton, where I lived for a few years) and Ya Man is easily up there with the best.

They're on a par with the Winking Judge, IMO. Staff have a knowledge and passion for what they sell, because they care about good food and drink and share that love with people.

Oh, and while we're on food pr0n, we ought to give Stoney Creek Dairy a mention, surely? As a recent new arrival (but previous visitor to Hamilton), it really is a true asset. They ought to have be selling it at YHM and the like...

[Jon Dalton]

Sorry for going off topic but Mex - I - Can deserves a shout out here.

[crhayes]

Yeah Boomtown great job with the wikipedia articles. I have to say...before I found this forum I visited those articles weekly and just read over stuff!

I love Hamilton!! haha

[Millstone]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

it's the same story time and time again. People who've never been into Hamilton say it sucks/stinks etc.... but once people come, they are impressed with what we have to offer, even with some of the rougher areas and downtrodden areas. TO has downtrodden areas too. Every city does.
The key is to figure out a way to get more people to visit the city.
Having Hamilton Place rated on of the top 50 concert halls in the world this year certainly helps. I live near York and can assure you that I don't need to know what's happening at Copps to know that something big is happening. I just look out front and see York traffic slowly crawling by (which I love...much more city-like, quiet and safe). TONS of out-of-towners come here for big shows...like last night.
I had a guy pull over on Dundurn at Tom and ask me how to get to Copps. Lol. I told him to get back on York and just keep going - you'll drive right into it.
Too bad York is such a bland, crappy entrance to the city with it's 6 lanes and no retail/commercial activity.
Anyone else who lives near York can confirm this though - a huge portion of concert-goers come from out of town, presumably the GTA if they're getting off the 403 at York.

York Blvd hasn't changed much since it was created... still those ugly stucco-type disasters with convenience stores lining it up until Copps.

[crhayes]

Originally Posted by Millstone

York Blvd hasn't changed much since it was created... still those ugly stucco-type disasters with convenience stores lining it up until Copps.

It's too bad because York could be a beautiful street. Once you get to Copps and it makes that band at Hamilton City Center it's so nice...but if there were nice offices to the east and west of that 1 block it would be awesome.