Omaha We Don't Coast
We Don’t Coast is a slogan attributed to Omaha, Nebraska, United States and its surrounding communities to celebrate unity, elevate hard work and embrace the region’s Midwestern, non-coastal status.[1][2][3]
The slogan is also the title of an annual Omaha-area publication featuring artists, entrepreneurs, entertainers and more who echo the area’s collective “can-do” spirit.[4]
History[edit]
Home to the College World Series, Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and USA Swim Trials,[5] Greater Omaha is Time magazine’s 2017 No. 3 “Most Up-and-Coming City in America,”[6] and America’s No. 2 best small city,[7] attributes that have helped solidify the region as a sports destination, travel hub and financially progressive locale,[8][9] and, have contributed to Greater Omaha’s current “we-don’t-coast” moniker.
Additional characteristics, such as the culture of Omaha, Nebraska, coupled with Nebraska’s high-growth median household income rate,[9] prompted civic leaders to form a host of cooperative task forces that began exploring the region’s identity as early as 2014.[3]
The task forces, brought together by the Greater Omaha Chamber, encompassed more than 30 communities, six counties, 160 organizations and a coalition of grassroots volunteers, all of whom united to define the movement that would best describe Greater Omaha.[2][3][10] “We Don’t Coast,” a statement the Omaha World-Herald described as “a feisty punch line expected to turbocharge Omaha’s image,”[3] was born as a unified expression of attitudes The Daily Nonpareil reported could be “potentially big” in terms of economic development.[10]
In 2015, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) recognized We Don’t Coast with its annual “Award of Excellence,” noting “the success of We Don’t Coast lives through grass roots momentum”[11] – an approach ACCE executives suggested would help Omaha “seize the opportunities to be a place known for innovative businesses, quality of life options and world-class talent.”
The We Don’t Coast movement gained additional national attention in 2017, when Site Selection magazine called the regional identity a “clever, double-edged slogan adopted by Omaha, Nebraska” in an effort to expand “creative and digital footprints distinct from coastal tech meccas such as San Francisco, Seattle and Boston.”[12]
In 2018, the Columbus Telegram reported Columbus, Nebraska’s process for identifying their regional slogan, “Something Great,” was inspired by Omaha’s 2014 efforts to launch a city identity, pointing out Omaha proved “the best model to shadow,”[13] when developing an inclusive, community-wide message.
Usage[edit]
As a movement that “highlights the diversity of the area, its people and its strategic location,”[14] We Don’t Coast is celebrated by businesses and individuals who have embraced the slogan, often following it with a counter statement, such as “We Don’t Coast. We Make an Impact.” (for an annual, 24-hour, Greater Omaha volunteer effort featuring more than 100 participating organizations)[15] or “We Don’t Coast. We grow.”[3]
Enthusiasm for We Don’t Coast prompted the music nonprofit Hear Nebraska to create a compilation album, “We Don’t Coast. We Hear Nebraska” featuring Nebraska-based artists, such as Icky Blossoms, Satchel Grande, InDreama and more,[16] while Nebraska’s We Don’t Coast license plates were unveiled in 2016.[17]
In order to promote the Omaha region’s 2016 Smart City Challenge submission to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the City of Omaha adopted the moniker “We Don’t Coast, We Build a Smart City,” where Omaha officials also suggested, “In Omaha, we don’t coast. We work hard and lead by example.”[18]
T-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers and window clings also popularly carry the “We Don’t Coast” slogan.
See also[edit]
External Links[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Meigs, Doug (August 20, 2018). "#Wedontcoast from the editor". Omaha Magazine. Omaha Magazine. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 {{>Scheier, John (August 7, 2014). "'We Don't Coast' message about unity, community". The Daily Nonpareil. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Gonzalez, Cindy (August 7, 2014). "'We Don't Coast' creators worried it might be too edgy, but brand is already catching on". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ↑ Brown, David; Seline, Steve (October 15, 2014). "Celebrating our can-do spirit". issuu. Greater Omaha Chamber, Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ↑ "USA Swimming announces 2020 Olympic Trials will return to Omaha". Swimming World. May 1, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ↑ Wilson, Chris (October 18, 2017). "These are the most up-and-coming cities in America". Time. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
- ↑ "America's Best Small Cities". Resonance. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ↑ Peterson, Lucas (October 3, 2018). "In Omaha, a progressive approach to free time". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cordes, Henry J. (September 13, 2018). "More money in Nebraskan's pockets: State posts some of nation's best income gains". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Rohwer, Tim (July 19, 2014). "'We don't coast' slogan unveiled". The Daily Nonpareil. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ↑ "We don't coast synopsis, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce". Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. August 10, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ↑ Daughters, Gary (February 2017). "Flyover states fly high. The heartland is getting hipper". Site Selection Magazine. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
- ↑ Pimper, Sam (June 23, 2018). "Columbus' city brand proving effective". The Columbus Telegram. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ↑ Tribune Staff (August 8, 2014). "New regional campaign shows 'we don't coast'". Fremont Tribune. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
- ↑ "What good can you do in one hour?". 24 Hours of Impact. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ↑ "We don't coast. We hear Nebraska". Hear Nebraska. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ↑ "Greater Omaha Chamber announces 'we don't coast' license plate". Strictly Business. June 1, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
- ↑ Stothert, Mayor Jean (February 4, 2016). "Omaha: We don't coast, we build a smart city" (PDF). U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
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