Venture Richmond News

Renaissance Partners, Inc. becomes “Venture Richmond”

For Immediate Release
September 15, 2006

Today the Executive Committee of Renaissance Partners, Inc. voted unanimously to adopt a new name for the new entity. The new name will be “Venture Richmond”, effective immediately.

“Renaissance Partners” was the “placeholder” name selected when the recent merger was implemented. On July 1, Richmond Renaissance, CityCelebrations, Richmond Riverfront Corp., and River District Alliance consolidated into one organization and took the name Renaissance Partners, reflecting the partners that had come together in the merger.

The new entity promotes downtown Richmond through marketing, advocacy, festivals and events. The group manages the Riverfront Canal and provides public services in the downtown area, including the Clean & Safe” program, in partnership with the City. The group includes many of the top business and community leaders in Richmond.

For the past two months, a Marketing Committee chaired by Joe Slay, President of Slay Public Relations, a division of the Martin Agency, has been researching options for naming the new organization. Almost 100 names were considered. During one brainstorming session, John Homs JHI Incorporated, proposed Venture Richmond, among others. The name was considered by committee members and enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed yesterday, and recommended to the Executive Committee today.

Jack Berry, Executive Director, said “Venture Richmond is a name that is forward looking; it is inviting and inclusive; and it implies movement and energy.”

The word “venture” can be used as a noun or a verb. As a verb it can mean “to brave”, or “to proceed in the face of danger.” As a noun, it means “destiny”, “fortune”, or “chance.”

The name can be associated with “venture capital”, which is “capital invested in a new or fresh enterprise” Over the years, Richmond Renaissance, the predecessor organization, has been a catalyst for economic development projects, and has often invested in new projects and ideas.

The name can also imply “adventure”, which is “an exciting or remarkable experience.”

According to Berry, “the word “Renaissance” is about re-birth, which many believe has already been accomplished in Richmond.” “We want to embrace the next generation, and many of our members thought that the name Richmond Renaissance was too conservative, too serious, too old guard.”

The name “Venture Richmond” will sometimes be accompanied by a tag line “The Next Renaissance.”

“We’re venturing into the unknown, and we want it to be a shared journey”, said Berry.

Committee Chair Joe Slay said, “This new name communicates very clearly that this is a new organization with a fresh, exciting, and expanded mission. It says that there are great things ahead for our community, and all are invited to play a part.” ………….

Committee Vice-Chair Katie Gilstrap, Marketing Director for First Market Bank, said………….

For more information, contact Board Chair C.T. Hill, President and CEO of SunTrust Bank Mid-Atlantic (782-7291), or Kim Saunders, Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of its Executive Committee. She is President and CEO of Consolidated Bank & Trust and can be reached at (771-5231).

Joe Slay can be reached at (698-8804).

Katie Gilstrap can be reached at (327-7567).

Jack Berry can be reached at (788-6470).

Marketing and Development Director Lucy Meade can be reached at (788-6458).