Brynn Swanson Markets Baileys Harbor

Brynn Swanson, the events and marketing coordinator for the Baileys Harbor Community Association, was hired for the position in November 2012.

Brynn Swanson may be enjoying a drink at the Cornerstone on a Friday night, but she’s hard at work.

About once a month, Swanson leads community conversations where Baileys Harbor residents can stop by for a drink and chat about their ideas for the town.

“We wanted something informal so people feel comfortable,” Swanson said.

A lot of people have ideas, she said, but few want to come to board meetings on Tuesday nights to share them. It’s much easier to share ideas at the casual neighborhood bar on a Friday night.

Swanson is focusing on changing the image of Baileys Harbor, getting the town away from the “quiet side” stigma. She wants to promote the area’s outdoor recreation hot spots, like The Ridges Sanctuary, and water sport opportunities like Lakeshore Adventures.

“We just don’t want to be known as the sleepy little town where nothing happens,” Swanson said.

Swanson was hired as the events and marketing coordinator for the Baileys Harbor Community Association in November 2012. She’s one of the four new marketing coordinators for local business groups.

Swanson’s helped market other Door County groups – like Door County Chefs – and is working on a degree in business administration and marketing from University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.

It’s Brynn’s knowledge of the area that may be her best asset for the job. She grew up in town, and was drawn to return even while living in the Virgin Islands. Besides, the best way to appreciate a place like Door County is to leave it for a while. You never know what you have until you miss it.

So now, instead of relaxing in the tropical sunshine, Swanson updates Facebook profiles, attends board meetings and brainstorms ideas for Baileys Harbor events. She’s put a lot of time in with Baileys Harbor and a lot of energy.

She’s only occasionally behind a desk at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall, but she’s always on call and ready for more ideas.

“Everybody’s got my cell phone number,” Swanson said. “If businesses need me, they call.”

Brynn can be reached at [email protected].