Communications

Communications Overview

Communications plays a vital role in fostering engagement and keeping citizens informed. Its primary focus is on growing the communications landscape for the City to connect with the community, ensuring that residents stay updated on key projects, initiatives, and services.

Media Relations

Communications handles all media relations, including press releases, public service announcements, and media inquiries, ensuring accurate and timely information is shared with the public.

Digital Communications

Communications actively manages social media platforms to connect with residents, providing updates on City projects, initiatives, resources, and live-streaming public meetings.

Communications is responsible for the developement of the City's website, website updates, and management. 

Community Relations

Communications is dedicated to keeping the community informed about citywide developments. The Communications Manager also serves as the Program Director for City Academy, a program designed to engage residents in local government.

Publications

Communications produces The Bay Brief, a weekly e-newsletter that keeps residents informed about the latest City news, upcoming City Commission agenda items, and programs of interest.

In addition, Communications produces the City's annual report, The Performance. 

Special Events

Communications is responsible for the planning of various special events within the City and promoting public engagement opportunities. 

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What is Community Engagement?

Community engagement seeks to better engage the community to achieve long-term and sustainable outcomes, processes, relationships, discourse, decision-making, or implementation. It is the process of working collaboratively on issues affecting the well-being of each other and the Traverse City community. Community engagement is a powerful vehicle for bringing about environmental and behavioral changes that will improve the health of the community and its members.

Increasing the City’s communication landscape is at the forefront of our goals and objectives. We strive to develop the four pillars of trust; expertise, reliability, goodwill, and authenticity, with our community members. Let’s work together on a sustainable future that contributes to the health of our region economically and environmentally and provides equitable opportunities for all.