Since the Blue Mountain Station concept was formulated in early 2008, the project has received some great press coverage. The list of print, web, and radio media that have published stories on the project is substantial:

This kind of exposure is significant for several reasons, the most obvious of which is the desire to get the Blue Mountain Station concept in front of businesses interested in locating at the processing park. But there is an important secondary significance: the exposure this kind of press gives our small, rural community made up of many businesses that count on tourism as an important factor in their business revenue.

A city like Dayton has a very limited promotion budget – for either tourism or business marketing. We can’t afford to spend the kind of money it takes through traditional advertising to really put a town “on the map.” But the value of the exposure that magazine, newspaper, and website writers can give a community’s promotion effort is immeasurable!

“Money can’t buy the kind of results a story in a magazine can bring to a promotion effort,” agrees Michael Davidson, President/CEO of Tourism Walla Walla, the lead marketing agency for Walla Walla’s successful tourism effort. “The Port of Columbia has done a marvelous job getting the word out about Blue Mountain Station, which in my estimation will help the region overall.”

It definitely takes time, coordination, and effort to get the attention of the press, but it’s worth it. We hope that the effort we’ve put forth to gain press coverage for Blue Mountain Station will extend its impact to the greater community.

By the way…thank you to all who attended the Blue Mountain Station public presentation in February. Valuable feedback on design style and public use elements were gathered and are being incorporated into the site plans. A Master Plan should be ready for release in the coming weeks.

I had the privilege of again attending the Natural Products Expo West 2010 in Anaheim, California, March 12th and 13th. The Show was celebrating 30 years. It appeared the majority of those in the industry stopped by to say, “happy birthday”. Approximately 56,000 people attended compared to 53,572 in 2009, a 5% increase. Over 1,900 companies exhibited with 654 of those new to the event.

This year’s Expo West co-located with SupplyExpo, Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace, Healthy Baking Seminar and Nutracon, encompassing more than 1 million square feet. Exhibitors were up-beat regarding the quantity and quality of the attendees and optimistic concerning the current business year. I believe the tremendous success of this year’s show is testimony to the strength and bright future of the natural and organic products’ industry. The producers of Expo West, New Hope Natural Media, are so confident about the show and the industry they inked a new contract with the Anaheim Convention Center, location of Expo West, through 2013.

Talk about confidence, mine keeps growing! The more industry people I talk with and the more trade shows I attend, the more confidence I have in the Blue Mountain Station concept. Like most industries, the food processing industry is hungry for the next big thing. Hint, it starts with “B” and ends with “Station”. I talked to approximately 200 representatives of food processing companies. The interest appears to accelerate with each show. We were happy with the enthusiasm shown at the Winter Fancy Food Show in January. Even more enthusiasm was expressed at Natural Products Expo West. Of course, with Expo West we were preaching to the choir. These people live and die natural and organic. Eight companies asked the right questions; what is the cost per square foot, can you accommodate 150 – 200 foot long ovens, what are the transportation options, can you source fresh fruit and co-pack my product, can you send me more information? Four companies have expansion plans for the next one to two years, particularly to the West Coast and possibly the Pacific Northwest.

As usual, the press was most generous with their time and support. I had wonderful meetings with Stacy Atchinson, Publisher, and Kathryn Schuett, Editor, of Organic Processing Magazine; Melissa Kvidahl, Associate Editor, Organic Products Retailer (check out Melissa’s Blue Mountain Station article in the March, 2010 edition); Katie Agin, Assistant Editor, WholeFoods Magazine (read Katie’s Blue Mountain Station article in the February, 2010 edition) and Robert Vosburgh, Group Editor, and Jeff Wells, Reporter, of Supermarket News. I received the usual, but never taken for granted, “great idea”, “cool model”, “this really is ground breaking” and “keep me posted” comments.

Since the Convention Center is a stone’s throw from Disneyland there was no shortage of little people with Mickey Mouse ears, Donald Duck caps and Snow White dolls. Dodging these little folks as I walked to and from my hotel I was reminded of the magic created by people with vision and courage and thankful that I am working with such people to create Blue Mountain Station.