The Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of its first edition of “Columbus: Discover a New World” at a Wednesday luncheon.
“We put this out basically as a Columbus brochure,” Chamber President Joey Bragg said. “They are for everyone to have and basically make Columbus shine.”
The publication is not new.
Bragg said the Golden Triangle Development LINK used to publish the magazine. However, the LINK and Chamber split in October as the LINK solidified its role in regional economic development.
That left a quick turnaround, Bragg said, as Chamber leadership did not move into their current roles until late December and January.
“On a normal year, you’d start around September or October with selling ads and getting your stories together,” he said. “Well, we weren’t here in September or in October, so in January it was full steam ahead, get this done.”
Bragg said the magazine began printing about a month and a half ago.
Despite the crunch, Bragg said the Chamber is pleased with the final product. He said the Chamber will stick with the Columbus: Discover a New World magazine because it’s been popular in the past.
“It’s nothing to shock anyone,” Bragg said. “Everyone seems to enjoy this one, so we’re going to stay with the norm and the crowd pleaser.”
The magazine publishes annually, and Bragg said is meant to offer an overview of the past year. It’s funded entirely by ad revenue, and Bragg said all advertisers receive copies. He said the magazine is also widely distributed to all doctor’s offices and hotels and a significant portion number of copies are sent to the Columbus Air Force Base, Golden Triangle Regional Airport and Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“Last year we distributed about 8,500 magazines,” he said. “Right now we’re at 5,000 and I’m sure we’ll have to re-order.”
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