Cultural Entrepreneurs as Foundations of Place Brands

Place making, as an economic development strategy, has long been used by cities and regions to attract and retain human resources, secure outside investment and compete in commerce and markets (van Ham, 2008; Kavaratzis and Ashworth, 2006). Globalization and the free flow of information via the Internet have given rise to a fiercely competitive arena in which regions strive to stand out as exceptional based on their unique characteristics, offerings or environment (Dinnie, 2004; Kotier and Gertner, 2002). Around the world, politicians, planners and developers are working to define how their community is unique and to whom their community may appeal. Notably lacking in this discussion is the role cultural entrepreneurs play in place making and could play in place branding.