Humber is up against competition from fellow finalists including Baltimore in the US, Denmark, Jamaica and Sweden, amongst others
The Humber region has been named as a finalist in international awards dubbed the World Cup of country branding. The City Nation Place Awards shine a light on exceptional efforts to put areas on the global stage, recognising efforts made to boost the reputation of destinations worldwide.
Humber’s Place Brand has now made the finals at the global annual event, after making the shortlist in the Place Brand of the Year category. Humber joins a stellar list of famous destinations, going up against fellow finalists including Baltimore in the US, Denmark, Estonia, Jamaica, Sweden, Sheffield and Resita in Romania.
The category celebrates long term approaches to managing and promoting a place, and the Humber brand has been driven by Future Humber, an initiative created last year to promote the region’s identity. The organisation champions people, place, partnerships, and the planet, sharing powerful stories and showcasing investment opportunities across the Humber.
Dr Diana Taylor, managing director, Future Humber, said: “Reaching the City Nation Place final is fantastic recognition of how Humber’s Place Brand has become a strategic asset that strengthens our region’s visibility in a crowded national and global marketplace. The initiative has established a powerful narrative for the region to own and use, galvanising Humber’s business community in telling our story with confidence and clarity. Working together across the region, we’re enhancing the area’s profile and investment potential.
“This achievement reflects our identity as a region of pioneering changemakers, united in transforming a powerful future for Humber.”
Finalists demonstrate how they use creative, forward-thinking ways to promote places, by using data, engaging with people to build civic pride, attract talent, grow tourism and support economic development, while also attracting investment.
Winners will be announced at the City Nation Place Global Conference on November 6 in London. Nine awards in all will be given out at the glitzy event.
Future Humber described how the Humber Place Brand is rooted in the area’s character and underpinned by four core values – real, revolutionary, remarkable, and resourceful. Over 250 people, businesses, and organisations across the region have joined the Future Humber initiative as Place Brand Ambassadors, committing to championing Humber and playing a vital role in its transformation.
Businesses which join the network are known as Bondholders, who are committed to strengthening the Humber’s profile locally, nationally, and globally.
A spokesperson for the City Nation Place Awards said: “If the entries to this year’s City Nation Place Awards are anything to go by, then expertise and innovation in place branding and place marketing is thriving! This year saw a 14% increase in entries, from districts, towns, cities, regions, and nations – representing 28 countries around the world.
“Competition for a shortlist place has therefore been very fierce, and we’d like to thank everyone who entered for sharing their inspiring stories. We would also like to thank our global jury for all their hard work, and we’re now delighted to announce the finalists in this year’s Awards.”
All finalists work will be showcased in the Place Brand Portfolio, which is the world’s largest collection of place brand and marketing excellence.
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