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Marketing update: Celebrate Old Saybrook plans 14‑minute drone show and expanded local outreach
Summary
Commission heard a marketing report on Celebrate Old Saybrook: registration is at about 130–140, organizers plan a roughly 14‑minute drone show (about 200 drones), adjusted event start times, vendor outreach and sponsor partnerships; staff reported modest paid ad spend but strong impressions.
The commission’s marketing report covered planning for Celebrate Old Saybrook, vendor outreach, promotions and related community events.
Staff reported registration for the main business networking event is about 130–140 and said the team hopes to reach a goal of roughly 150 attendees. The chair described marketing efforts that included mailed postcards to Connecticut business addresses, targeted emails and partnerships with the chamber of commerce. Paid social advertising for the spring awareness campaign was described as modest spending (about $400) that produced roughly 12,000–20,000 impressions for the period reported.
Event programming includes expanded family entertainment and a patriotic drone show planned to last about 14 minutes; staff said the producer can program shows based on the number of drones requested and that the town was considering a 200‑drone display. Organizers are coordinating viewing locations so attendees on the town green and Main Street can see the show; the drone field will be off‑limits to the public during the performance.
Sponsors for the business networking event include Ascend Bank (express lending), Collabs (marketing/consulting services), Shoreline HR Consulting, Nexus Dynamics (IT services) and Dreaming Color Marketing; several sponsors are providing raffle prizes such as marketing packages and consulting hours. Staff discussed timing changes for the event (later starts to avoid morning conflicts) and noted vendors have not objected so far.
One resident complained that an event image showing bicyclists on the sidewalk encouraged unsafe behavior; staff acknowledged the complaint and said image assets are being repurposed carefully. The commission also discussed coordinating event openings with other downtown activities—such as a Park and Wreck postcard concert—to boost attendance.
