Reno Tahoe USA has a brand riddled with controversy yet there is in fact ‘more to know’ about the Reno / Tahoe area than what pop culture enjoys poking fun at.
Instead of focusing on the why, I’m proposing we social brand ambassadors start discussing it openly through storytelling on the web. For example, we can use a twitter hash tag such #experiencetheadventure to aggregate experiences, stories, adventures and codes to serve as a real time focus group with real time social tools.
Why do it? You could bump your klout score or just enjoy the journey on a stream.
I believe we need to leverage our differences and similarities to drive brand transformation which will result in new revenue for the region while innovating.
We have great events cultural events; Burning Man, Art Town and exhibits at the Nevada Museum of Art. Yet we don’t seem to capture the entire web buzz that we could. We have leaders in the culinary arts field who engage with Nothing To It. We have popular new musicians like Whitney Meyer who recently was discovered on the Voice . Hip software companies like; Shortstack, Understand, GotDibbs who are helping bring jobs while re-investing in the region.
In terms of education, the Washoe County School District leader Heath Morrison awas awarded the AASA 2012 Superintendent of the Year and for the entire district beat out all other states for the award in overall Leadership in Communication. Furthermore, we have great sports teams, a new Discovery Museum and UNR which offer talent, learning and affordable programs.
This is just a very quick list. Countless numbers of organizations doing great work. However, we have more to do. We could invest in entrepreneurial thinking, alumni, and young leaders in different approaches than we currently are focused today. I digress.
Instead of focusing on the why the brand isn’t grounded in reality, I propose that as social brand ambassadors, we start to take the lead to help the region through using key hash tags to facilitate changing the perception. Through this approach, we can bring help promote job growth, economic stimulus and new possibilities all the while demonstrating new innovative social leadership.
Come on Reno Tahoe Adventurers, start to share the code #ExperiencetheAdventure. Nothing ventured anything gained, right?
The Lauren Klein 
Great thoughts Lauren! I like some of the strong points about our area that you emphasized. A hashtag campaign is a great idea. Have you ever run a hashtag campaign before? I have not …
I do use hashtags but also hadn’t thought of a hashtag campaign before. Great idea.