KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board partnered with Montgomery County native, and 20/20 Visual Media’s Director of Business Development, Ed Seiders on a #MontCoStrong video meant to inspire Montgomery County residents, businesses, and other partners in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The goal of the video was to provide a sense of hope to a community struggling with the challenging COVID-19 public health crisis. The video uses imagery of empty parking lots, streets, and closed signs all across the county combined with messages of strength that together, the community can accomplish anything.
Ed got the chance to discuss 20/20 Visual Media’s role in the #MontcoStrong campaign on CBS3 Eyewitness News.
“We wanted to be able to show the resolve of Montgomery County coming out from this storm that we’re in right now”, Seiders told Greg Argos of CBS3 Eyewitness News in Philadelphia on April 27.
Seiders grew up in Lansdale, attended Lansdale Catholic High School, and studied at Temple University’s Ambler Campus. He wanted to give back to the community where he was born and raised by producing a piece that highlighted Montco’s unique places that many are eager to experience again.
“It was important to me and the team at 20/20 to reach out to our clients and see what they needed during this challenging time, and provide whatever assistance we could,” said Seiders. “Whether it's our healthcare, education, non-profit, tourism or consumer brand clients, everyone is hurting in some way or another and we've found that there are so many opportunities to listen and give back.”
Seiders holds the Montgomery County area in his heart, and he enjoys taking his son to various Montco attractions like Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Plymouth Meeting, and iFly in King of Prussia. They also run in the annual Valley Forge Revolutionary 5-Mile Run at Valley Forge National Historical Park, which was canceled this year due to the coronavirus.
“Montco to me is the definition of business and hospitality,” Seiders said. “There's so much to do, and so many wonderful offerings that are great for whatever your interests are.”
Despite the hardships the community is dealing with, as the video emotes: “We will rise again. We’ll stay, and play, and thrive again…because we’re #MontcoStrong”.
The video coincides with the tourism board’s efforts to raise money through the launch of #MontCoStrong t-shirts, designed and produced by DJB Specialties of North Wales. Proceeds from the purchase of the shirts will support the MontcoPA COVID-19 Response Fund.