The Portage Tourism Committee is looking to spruce up the image of Portage la Prairie by creating a new logo that embodies the character of the city and surrounding area.

This past Wednesday, the committee held a stakeholders meeting to discuss strategies and talk the game plan not only creating a new logo but coming up with a new slogan that speaks for the city as well.

Guy Moffat, chair of the Portage Tourism Committee, said that the new logo was created with the help of consultants and that the group is trying to brand the city to improve business and tourism in the area.

"We know that cities have done this and branded themselves successfully such as Steinbach.  We decided that we wanted to have that for Portage la Prairie as well.  It's not going to be a quick fix.  With all the signs out there and all the money it costs, it'll have to happen over time but we wanted a co-ordinated effort for the branding in Portage la Prairie," he said.

While the logo has been created, the Tourism Committee is looking at holding a public slogan contest to get the public's idea on what the new moniker should be. 

Moffat said the next private stakeholders meeting will take place on Oct. 3 and a subsequent date will be announced regarding the public slogan contest.

More to come.

cphl.news@sunmedia.ca