Councillors vote to give Hamilton its welcome sign

City hall is looking into erecting a welcome sign outside Hamilton to give the city some personality.

The general issues committee voted Wednesday to have staff report back on putting up a gateway sign to brand the community.

The effort will promote the city in advance of the 2015 Pan Am Games. Laura Babcock, a community activist and owner of a local public relations firm, pitched the idea on Wednesday.

Not to get into marketing speak, but were missing out on thousands of brand impressions every day, Babcock told councillors.

People see smoke stacks and they assume thats Hamilton. Having a sign that raises that brand impression even minimally that makes the city look welcoming and proud makes a difference.

• Related:Show me a sign, says Hamilton activist

The City of Hamilton did studies into a sign in 2007 and 2008. Theres no reason why the city cant move ahead with it now, said city manager Chris Murray.

Design and cost are still question marks, but these are minor details, Murray said.

Babcock started a social media campaign to get ideas for a gateway sign. She used the Twitter hash tag #Time4Sign.

The campaign was a force, said Coun. Jason Farr.

Its a wonderful example of how ever-growing and almost out of control the Twitterverse is, he said.

City council will ratify the decision on Sept. 25.