The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism is in the midst of “We’re Listening” sessions. One would think by now state government knows what makes Connecticut successful. Why does the state need to hear from the public what makes Connecticut great?
The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism is a state agency that seeks to continually improve how it serves it serves its constituent organizations and the residents of the state. The commission serves the state in many ways and acts as the state’s arts, film, tourism and historic preservation office. We are a grant-making agency, a marketing and public relations agency and a regulatory agency. It is important that we listen carefully to Connecticut residents’ input and observations – so that the commission can, based on this input, develop insights on organizational goals and objectives for the coming years.
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How will this information be used?
Public feedback will be incorporated into the commission’s strategic marketing plan. The plan is being built in several steps with interviews, meetings and surveys with a range of staff, constituents and government officials. “We’re listening” is the public’s opportunity to be heard.
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Who is actually going to be listening?
We’re inviting anyone and everyone – the commission will be listening.
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Is Connecticut hoping to discover unknown gems or this is more of a consumer survey exercise?
This is about a state agency planning its next steps to serve the state as best it can – to develop organizational goals and objectives. It can do that by listening to the comments, thoughts, ideas and even criticisms of those it serves and those who govern. This strategic plan, which will be the commission’s second since its creation in 2003, will continue to lay forth a plan for preserving, strengthening and promoting Connecticut’s arts, cultural, historic preservation and tourism assets in order to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of our state.
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What’s it going to cost Connecticut taxpayers for “We’re Listening Connecticut”?
The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism is statutorily mandated to create a strategic plan to be submitted to the Commerce Committee. The commission began this process in May 2008 so that the plan can be submitted to the legislature during this coming session. As a mandated part of the commission’s scope of work, costs have already been factored into the agency’s budget; therefore there is no additional cost to taxpayers.
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Does this exercise indicate a shift in how Connecticut is going to market its resources? Will there be less appeal to out-of-state tourists?
The listening sessions and the strategic plan will benefit the commission as a whole, its arts, culture, historic preservation and film divisions in addition to the tourism division. We need to take a holistic view of how these divisions work together to benefit both Connecticut residents and out of state visitors.
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How will “We’re Listening Connecticut” benefit programs like our expanding film industry?
Positive word of mouth is a powerful and cost-effective marketing tool. Our residents can help us get the word out that Connecticut is a great place to film or produce a movie, digital production or video game. They can also tell their friends, colleagues and neighbors about the resources we have available to train people who want to work in the film industry. Similar to the knowledge they can gain during our listening sessions about our arts, culture, historic preservation and wonderful destinations, the more our residents know about our state’s film industry, the better ambassadors they will be for our state.
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Could this lead to a whole new way of how people perceive Connecticut?
That’s possible. We look forward to learning more from our residents.
