Belong in Baldwin Summer Series: Marketing Communications, & Arts Day

July 2024

On June 13th, Belong in Baldwin got creative juices flowing by hosting interns for a Marketing, Communications, and Arts Industry Exploration Day. The goal of the day was to learn new skills in this career field while also fostering connections among college students and employers. Participants went home with a brain full of ideas and their creativity at an all-time high. The day was celebrated in a beautiful venue, with an amazing demonstration of glass blowing and some ingenious speakers. 

The Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach, AL, located on the picturesque Wolf Bay, welcomed this creative group. This local art gallery boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that allow sunlight to dance across a mix of art, from sculptures and modern paintings to glass-blown chandeliers. The Coastal Arts Center is also home to The Hot Shop, any glass artist’s dream. Attendees had a front-row seat to watch talented artists bend melting glass into delicate pieces of art.  

This group of creatives with diverse career paths heard from Emily Songer of Emily Songer Photography and the owner of Section Street Studio. Emily spoke about all things social media and how she has built her personal brand to back her successful business. She shared tips on how to utilize Instagram’s algorithm and build trust online, which can be used as a major business development tactic. 

Strategic digital presence goes beyond small businesses, and Easton Colvin with the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism group highlighted this as he shared about his personal career path in Public Relations and how it led him to the Gulf Coast. He shared about his calculated approach to hosting influencers that has resulted in keeping Baldwin County top of mind for outdoorsmen and those looking for a vacation with a bit of adventure.

As the topic of strategy was front of mind, this group heard from Joanna Almond with the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, who shared her experience working full-time while maintaining freelance clients. She shared her secrets to balancing life outside of work, where she has a husband and two kids and thoroughly enjoys the coastal amenities of Baldwin County.  

After a day full of insights and discussions, the group moved to the Avenue Pub, where they were greeted by young professionals from The Wharf, Lower AL Young Professionals, Baldwin EDA, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, and more. The night was spent sharing ideas and success stories. The Avenue Pub itself is a waterfront restaurant and bar overlooking Robinson Island, providing a great place to connect with peers with coastal views.  

Check out our other events coming up here.