Staffordshire first UK location to join leading global place branding network board

Staffordshire has become the first UK location to join a leading international advisory board for place marketing.

We Are Staffordshire – which promotes the county as a place to live, visit and invest in – is made up of a broad range of partners including private sector businesses, the county, district and borough councils and its universities.

Today it has announced it has joined the City Nation Place Advisory Group – a network of leading decision makers from place brand, economic development, and destination marketing organisations from around the world. Staffordshire is the first UK representative to join its international advisory board, alongside founding partners New Zealand, Tasmania and South Africa.

City Nation Place provides events, information and networking for place branding organisations, including government teams, funded organisations, agencies and consultancies.

At its annual international awards event in 2022, We Are Staffordshire was a finalist in two categories – including Place Brand of the Year, alongside Chile, Fiji, Estonia and Houston, Texas.

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and We Are Staffordshire board member Philip White said:

“As we work to make Staffordshire a more attractive place for people to live, work, visit and invest in, understanding and learning from others is crucial.

“Our geographies, cultures and assets might be different, but we share many of the same challenges and opportunities. By looking outwards, we can benefit from different ways of getting things done for the benefit of or residents.

“City Nation Place provides a unique link and platform that stretches across oceans and time zones, allowing us to come together as peers to tackle the big issues of the day – and work towards the solutions of tomorrow – so we can strive to be the best custodians and marketers of our wonderful places.”

Details of the advisory board and work can be found at the CNP website.

People can find out more by contacting We Are Staffordshire head of place marketing Louisa Shaw at: louisa.shaw@staffordshire.gov.uk

Pictured: We Are Staffordshire celebrating Staffordshire Day at the House of Commons