A tasting table at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Annual Meeting March 19 will celebrate two manufacturers debuting the new "Made in Lehigh Valley" button to their product labels.
Weyerbacher Brewing of Easton will offer samples of Lehigh Valley Light, a pilsner, and County Seat Spirits of Allentown will offer tastes of Three Cities Whiskey, a malt whiskey.
Both products feature the "Made in Lehigh Valley" button, a joint project between LVEDC and Discover Lehigh Valley ®. Designed by Discover’s Alisa Lopano, the button is one of several logos aimed at promoting the Lehigh Valley as a desirable place to live, learn, work, visit, and do business.
LVEDC is encouraging others to use the logos while promoting the great educational institutions, businesses, and community efforts already in the Lehigh Valley. A greater awareness of the Lehigh Valley’s strengths will benefit the region’s growth, providing even more opportunities and prosperity for the region. The branding guidelines can be viewed here.
The tasting table will be open during the networking reception from 5-6:30 p.m. at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, Bethlehem. Weyerbacher brewmaster Danielle Brunner and County Seats distiller John Shevlin-Smith will attend and answer questions about the products.
“Using the 'Made in the Lehigh Valley' button makes good business sense,” said Edwin Lozano, CEO & of Savant/Weyerbacher Brewing Co. “With rising awareness of buying local and supporting small businesses, consumers want to know where the products are made, and the Lehigh Valley has a strong reputation for quality.”
Anthony Brichta, President & CEO of County Seat Spirits, which is located at the Allentown Economic Development. Corp.’s business incubator, said the Made in Lehigh Valley branding and logos were important to promote not only the Lehigh Valley’s strong manufacturing history but expanding the region’s impact on the continued revival of U.S. manufacturing.
“We chose to locate our business at the AEDC's Bridgeworks Enterprise Center in Allentown, both because it allowed us the opportunity to join a first-class business incubator, but also because we get to be a part of the greater Lehigh Valley community,” Brichta said. “As someone who was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, our business is proud to use the new logos on our new malt whiskey and help show the world all of the wonderful products that are ‘Made in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.’"
In addition to the tasting tables, LVEDC's Annual Meeting will include a program segment on the new branding effort and a hype video promoting the use of the brand.
The new branding is just one initiative to be featured at the Annual Meeting, which will celebrate the partnerships and innovative programs that drive the Lehigh Valley’s thriving 21st century economy. Bolstered by programs fortifying a skilled workforce, the Lehigh Valley’s $50.2 billion, balanced economy is generating growth, innovation, and opportunity. The 90-minute program will highlight the economic successes in 2023, the regional strategies for the coming year, and the trends and challenges shaping the future. Already announced is a panel of students, interns, and apprentices who will share the stories of their career exploration and preparation journeys during a panel discussion.
The ability to attract and retain talent has become a primary driver of economic development. Employers are looking for growing communities that provide access to the workforce they need to be successful. And that workforce needs to have the right skills to get the job done.
Sponsorships for the Annual Meeting are still available. Contact LVEDC Program Manager Stephanie Wean at swean@lehighvalley.org or 610-266-2218.
The presenting sponsor for the meeting is Highmark Blue Shield.
Cocktail sponsors are Boyle Construction and Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba.
Gold sponsors are B. Braun Medical, Crayola, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Fulton Bank, J.G. Petrucci Co. Inc., Norris McLaughlin P.A., Workforce Board Lehigh Valley, and WFMZ.
Silver sponsors are Klunk & Millan Advertising, Lehigh University, Lehigh Valley Health Network, MKSD Architects, and St. Luke’s University Health Network.
Community sponsors are American Bank, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), EARTHRES, HNL Lab Medicine, OraSure Technologies, Inc., Penn Community Bank, Penn Strategies and Promus Financial.