WE + YOU Digital Mosaic

In late April, during the early stages of the pandemic, we (the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership) launched the WE+YOU Digital Mosaic campaign, with the goal of capturing this historic moment in time through the collection of photos. Inspired by South Bend Venues Parks and Arts’ WE+YOU Call for Solidarity initiative, we developed this campaign to showcase the resiliency and strength of the South Bend – Elkhart region while also illustrating the creativity of our residents and the innovation of our industries.

“This region and its people are truly amazing, within weeks Kem Krest, a company that specializes in Chemical packaging was creating sanitizer for public use during the shortage, the Notre Dame IDEA Center’s Innovation Labs redeployed it’s 3D printers and laser cutters to build face shields, NISCO, an automotive supplier engineered protective gowns for front line works, the list goes on and on,” said President and CEO of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, Regina Emberton. “We are a region founded by makers and doers, and in a time of need, the people of this region didn’t miss a beat.”

This community-centered digital art piece is just one of many ways that we can continue to showcase the uniquely fantastic contributions each town, city, and county is making for the betterment of the South Bend – Elkhart region as a whole. The photos included in this digital mosaic are a beautiful compilation of people and organizations making the best out of difficult situations, helping one another, and still managing to smile.

“This campaign has wonderfully demonstrated the strong WE+YOU mentality of this region, neighbors helping neighbors, companies supporting and collaborating with each other, and a region united under one goal, prosperity for all,” Co-Chair of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s Talent Attraction and Retention Committee and President and CEO of Lehman & Lehman, Inc., Chuck Lehman. “The committees of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership are utilizing the newly developed WE+YOU, South Bend Elkhart regional brand to tell the stories of the region, with the goal of enhancing community pride and awareness of all that this region and its residents have to offer.

Though the WE+YOU Digital Mosaic campaign has come to an end, the WE+YOU South Bend – Elkhart regional brand has just begun! WE invite YOU to tag your photo within the digital mosaic and to continue sharing your photos and posts on social media using the hashtag #WEplusYOU.

The ultimate goal of the "WE + YOU, South Bend Elkhart" regional brand campaign is to attract talent, tourism, and investment to the South Bend - Elkhart region while also projecting a cohesive message and consistent feel expressing the unique identity of the region, both to residents of our communities and to people located outside of the region.

About WE+YOU
In the South Bend Elkhart, we’ve got a will and you’ve got a way. Our will is to help you succeed. Your way is innovative and entrepreneurial. We both have a job to do, and the South Bend Elkhart region is the best place to do it. We’re remaking a sense of place and manufacturing a new region. You’re looking for new opportunities and new places that welcome new thinking. We’re opening the door. You’re blazing the trail. In this campaign, the South Bend - Elkhart region creates opportunity and YOU take the opportunity and turn it into personal success. Each of us have a role to play in the advancement of the other. Learn more at WEplusYOU.com.

About South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership
The South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership (SBERP) is a collaboration of the economic development partners from 47 smart connected communities in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. The Regional Partnership focuses on a long-term systemic approach to advance the region’s economy by aligning the efforts of various stakeholders around five key areas: Educating a world-class WORKFORCE, Recruiting and retaining great TALENT, Attracting and growing new economy companies in complement to our remarkably strong manufacturing INDUSTRIES, Promoting INCLUSION and sparking opportunities for minorities and Helping ENTREPRENEURS thrive. The Regional Partnership seeks to unify and collaborate so that together, the communities across the region to work together to achieve what cannot be done individually. For more information about the Regional Partnership, visit SouthBendElkhart.org.

Media Contact
Regina Emberton
South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership
574.344.4686
remberton@southbendelkhart.org

On April 24, 2020 we (the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership) shared a sneak peek of the new regional brand, “WE+YOU, South Bend - Elkhart Region” with the intention of rolling it out over the next few months.

The ultimate goal of the "WE + YOU, South Bend - Elkhart Region" regional brand campaign is to attract talent, tourism and investment to the South Bend - Elkhart region while also projecting a cohesive message and consistent feel expressing the unique identity of the region, both to residents of our communities and to people located outside of the region. Little did we know that our current situation, would provide a unique opportunity to showcase the “WE+YOU” regional brand in ways that we never expected.

“A key focus area for the Talent Attraction and Retention Committee is telling our region’s story and now more than ever, it is important to share how resilient the people of this great region are,” said Chuck Lehman, co-chair of the Regional Partnership’s Talent Attraction and Retention Committee and Lehman & Lehman, Inc. president and CEO. “The WE+YOU regional brand creates a sense of unity and pride, with our greatest strengths being our ability to work, act, and respond as a region.” “WE offer the moment and YOU seize the day.”

• WE are resilient. YOU are strong.
• WE are one region. YOU are doing your part.
• WE may be apart, but YOU are not alone.

Everyone is experiencing life differently these days and the strong people of the South Bend - Elkhart Region are pulling together in very special ways. Companies are shifting their resources, using their unique capacities to help produce critically needed supplies. Our front-line workers are providing essential medical, emergency, delivery, infrastructure, and food services. Educators, students, parents, guardians, and social service providers are adjusting quickly. People are helping their neighbors, donating to causes, and protecting one another from harm. At home we are trying new things to weather the storm – special projects, hobbies, cooking, new traditions, games, and made up adventures.

WE want to capture this historic moment in time with YOU. WE need YOU to submit your photos to help create a digital mosaic to commemorate the South Bend – Elkhart region’s strength, creativity, and resilience. The WE+YOU digital mosaic is a community-centered, interactive art piece that creates artwork from photos posted on social media using the hashtag “#WEplusYOU”. Over the next three weeks, please share your photos of how you, your organization, and/or your neighborhood are helping. Show us how you are experiencing life at home. Share some of the new memories you have made during this difficult time using the hashtag #WePlusYou. The final image will consist of hundreds of photos from across the South Bend – Elkhart region.

PLEASE NOTE: By tagging photos using #WEplusYOU and/or by submitting photos via email, the user grants the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership (SBERP) permission to publicly display, distribute, and reproduce in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotion on SBERP websites, commercial products and any other SBERP channels, including but not limited to #WEplusYOU publications.

In the South Bend - Elkhart region, we’ve got a will and you’ve got a way. Our will is to help you succeed. Your way is innovative and entrepreneurial. We both have a job to do, and the South Bend Elkhart region is the best place to do it. We’re remaking a sense of place and manufacturing a new region. You’re looking for new opportunities and new places that welcome new thinking. We’re opening the door. You’re blazing the trail. In this campaign, the South Bend - Elkhart region creates opportunity and YOU take the opportunity and turn it into personal success. Each of us have a role to play in the advancement of the other.