The town’s marketing strategy has paid off with an award from the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC).

During EDAC’s 39th annual conference last month in Saskatoon, the Heart of Muskoka branding strategy, phase two, received the Marketing Canada Award for Business Development in Branding (less than $200,000 category).

The new branding strategy for the town was created in 2004, and in May 2007 the town completed a complementary strategic plan which included organizations like the Business Improvement Area and the Chamber of Commerce in the overall promotion of the community.

The cornerstone of the second phase was the creation of a website, theheartofmuskoka.com, which allows for cross-promotion between the three agencies. The website provides links to each agency’s website, and access to a directory of most local businesses.

The second phase of the strategy also focuses on promoting the use of a single the Heart of Muskoka logo, for all businesses and local organizations.

The town, along with Muskoka Transport and Fowler Construction, received a similar award in 2005 for a campaign that featured billboards on transport trucks encouraging cottagers to move their business into the community.