Brandon First has unveiled a fresh, dynamic rebrand designed to capture the essence of both the organization’s mission and the vibrant community it serves. The new logo, tagline, and brand graphics were revealed in a brand launch event held at the Dome Building on Thursday evening.
The refreshed brand marks a pivotal moment for Brandon First as it moves toward a more modern and engaging image that reflects the ever-growing presence of the city in the event tourism sector. Jennifer Watson, Executive Director of Brandon First, shared her excitement about the rebrand. “We wanted something that was new and fresh to describe who we are as an organization and what Brandon is as a community. Now is the time for a change, and we’re thrilled with the response,” she said.
Brandon First partnered with senior designer Lana Knoll of local marketing firm Create Marketing to develop a new look for the organization. The new logo features overlapping arched shapes that symbolize key elements of Brandon – including buildings, hotels, grain bins, and event venues. The design cleverly incorporates the letters “BDN” as well as “MB,” and represents the city’s interconnectedness and central role as a hub for events. The design is also complemented by vibrant colors meant to evoke trust, passion, and energy while reflecting the warmth of Manitoba’s summer nights.
“We feel this logo perfectly captures the spirit of Brandon, offering a sense of connection and excitement that will resonate with event planners, rights holders and attendees,” said Watson.
The tagline “Experience Your Event Here” builds on the organization’s original mission, which started in 2003 with the goal of booking and promoting multi-day events generating overnight stays in Brandon. Watson emphasized that the shift from “bringing events” to “experiencing events” is crucial in drawing attention to the real value of experiencing events in Brandon firsthand.
In 2024, Brandon First helped bring and support 14 major events, including the Canadian National High School Rodeo Championships, the Manitoba Arts Network Showcase and the Manitoba 55+ Summer Games. The annual economic impact of events like these is estimated to be in the millions of dollars, contributing significantly to local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. Upcoming events in 2025 include the Curl Manitoba Junior Provincials in February and the U Sports Men’s Volleyball National Championship and Canadian Indoor 3D Archery in March, plus the U19 Western Canadian Softball Championships and Canadas National Arabian Championships in August and the third year of the Salamander Summer Music Festival in July.
With this rebrand, Brandon First is poised to elevate the city’s profile on the national stage, reinforcing that Brandon’s charm, connectivity, and hospitality make it the ideal location for hosting premier events.
