Friday, March 29, 2024
 
Click HERE to sign up to receive Eye On Sun Valley's Daily News Email
 
Face Masks-a Sun Valley Billboard?
Loading
   
Thursday, November 26, 2020
 

STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

As visitors begin pouring into Sun Valley today to celebrate Sun Valley Resort’s 85th ski season, could Sun Valley Resort use facemasks to its advantage?

Jake Moe, the founder of “Powder Magazine,” thinks so.

Moe, a resident of Sun Valley, thinks masks could be put to work as billboards for Sun Valley.

Masks keep people safe, he said. But, conversely, they are a barrier to letting people know how friendly we are.

“Just yesterday I had a conversation with someone I’ve known for 50 years. And it was haltingly conducted because we had our masks on and couldn’t high five,” he said.

Moe has a solution, though—one he shared with those tuning into a virtual Economic Summit organized by Sun Valley Economic Development and Visit Sun Valley.

The solution? Make 10,000 face masks with the Sun Valley logo and give them to everyone who comes to town. They would end up being billboards promoting Sun Valley.

“I want you to think about your local college football team,” he said. “When you see someone with that logo, you say, ‘Hey that was a great football game.’ ”

Moe said retailers and others interested in promoting Sun Valley and its friendliness could take it one step further by wearing a mask with the words, “Ask me.”

Masks block us from being our normal spontaneous self. But broadcasting that we want someone to ask us questions, whether on a face mask or a sign at our business, says we’re grabbing COVID by the neck and saying we’re going to make this a real asset to our community, he said.

The community had a Smile Sun Valley campaign in the 1970s, Moe noted. And even the simplest way of reminding people, “We’re friendly. Ask us anything” helps break down barriers.

“We need to be more demonstrative. If I saw a sign on an art gallery door, ‘Come in. Ask us anything. We’re friendly,’ I would probably go in.”

The tantalizing aroma of hot spiced cider in two-ounce cups wouldn’t hurt, he added.

When people do ask questions, make your answer personal, Moe said.

“Tell them why this place is paradise to you. It’s the Harriman Trial or lunch at Galena. Or snowshoeing to look at animal tracks. Then find out what they like and address that.”

Moe recounted how Aspen used to have a town greeter dressed up in unusual costumes. Everyone always stopped to say, “Hi.”

Maybe Sun Valley could have its own greeter—someone who visits the different trailheads and initiates conversation, he added.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the Sun Valley ski season is a go in the year of the pandemic, he added.

“All of Europe has shut down skiing. That’s how serious those countries are taking this pandemic. So, it’s incumbent on us to identify and attack the realities.”

PHOTO

The eyes give it away—Mike Fitzpatrick, manager of guest services at Sun Valley Resort, wears a friendly smile underneath the Sun Valley face covering.

 

 

~  Today's Topics ~


Local Bands Offer New Perspective on Who's a Local

Can You Ski on Water? It’s Pond Skim Time

Jake Adicoff Wins Overall World Cup Championship while Other Skiers Do Well in SuperTour Finals
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
Website problems? Contact:
Michael Hobbs
General Manager /Webmaster
Mike@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
Got a story? Contact:
Karen Bossick
Editor in Chief
(208) 578-2111
Karen@EyeOnSunValley.com
 
 
Advertising /Marketing /Public Relations
Leisa Hollister
Chief Marketing Officer
(208) 450-9993
leisahollister@gmail.com
 
Brandi Huizar
Account Executive
(208) 329-2050
brandi@eyeonsunvalley.com
 
 
ABOUT US
EyeOnSunValley.com is the largest online daily news media service in The Wood River Valley, publishing 7 days a week. Our website publication features current news articles, feature stories, local sports articles and video content articles. The Eye On Sun Valley Show is a weekly primetime television show focusing on highlighted news stories of the week airing Monday-Sunday, COX Channel 13. See our interactive Kiosks around town throughout the Wood River Valley!
 
info@eyeonsunvalley.com      Press Releases only
 
P: 208.720.8212
P.O. Box 1453 Ketchum, ID  83340
LOGIN

© Copyright 2023 Eye on Sun Valley