Montreat is without a doubt a place of discernment. A place where many come to figure out which way to go in life. But I'm not talking about that kind of wayfinding, not this time.
Yesterday officials in Asheville introduced new directional signage that will be displayed all around Buncombe County, pointing visitors to areas of interest, public parking, and nearby communities--including Black Mountain and Montreat. The 300+ signs will be accompanied by 13 informational kiosks giving information on the area they are in as well as on other areas in the county.
Each set of signs will feature a locally crafted finial. Signs in Black Mountain will feature an eagle, forged by Black Mountain Iron Works artist Dan Howachyn. Before this area was settled by Westerners, the Cherokee used to call our valley Grey Eagle, so the finial is 'local' both in its origin and its symbolism.
The wayfinding project, in which local organizations invested almost $2 million, is designed to get people where they want to go, but also to make them want to go to new places. All the while, the signs will pull from our heritage by using the local finials as well as quotes from Thomas Wolfe and other Asheville authors.
Good directions are vital to a community that serves almost 3 million overnight tourists each year, as they are vital to any community, church, or business. How accessible or findable are you? Do people feel welcomed with good information? Or discouraged by confusing signs?
What are your 'kiosks,' meaning what information do you give that links people to what they really want, even if it's not from you? And lastly, how do you put your local mark on your messages?
One thing to bear in mind when considering our own signs and messages is this: As part of this project, Asheville also removed more than 100 signs that were already in place to reduce confusion. Good directions are important, but there is such a thing as too much.
Read more about the wayfinding project in the Asheville Citizen-Times, and look for new signs the next time you're here!
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Cat is the Sales Associate at Montreat Conference Center. She loves helping people plan the perfect Montreat Experience and would love to hear from you about how this blog can help you.
Cat can be reached at catw@montreat.org or at
@Cat_Montreat.
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