Marshfield Rotary had the pleasure of hosting Ben Muldrow, a partner at Arnett Muldrow & Associates. During his presentation, Ben shared a fun and entertaining look at how communities across Wisconsin and the country have used branding, creativity, and a little imagination to turn ordinary places into extraordinary destinations. From clever marketing and colorful crosswalks to public art and unexpected surprises, Ben explored what makes a place memorable and why some communities seem to have that special something. Along the way, he shared some of the best—and worst—examples of how communities have tried to tell their stories, proving that simply putting “A Great Place to Live, Work, and Play” on a welcome sign doesn't necessarily make it true.
The good news? Creating great places doesn't always require a million-dollar budget, a famous architect, or a committee that meets for three years before making a decision. Through real-world examples, Ben demonstrated how small investments, creative thinking, and passionate local people have made big impacts, strengthened community pride, and given people more reasons to love where they live. He also pointed to Rotary's own Winter Wonderland as a perfect example of placemaking in action—transforming a familiar space into something magical that brings people together and creates lasting memories. His message was simple: Great places don't happen by accident, and sometimes all it takes is a little paint, a good idea, a few thousand Christmas lights, and the willingness to try something different.