City of Bridgeport
Driving Community Engagement for Equity in Procurement
Client
City of Bridgeport
Year
2024
Scope of Work
Content Creation, Public Relations
Industry
Municipal
Here's the Stitch
(aka Situation)
The City of Bridgeport, in partnership with Griffin & Strong, P.C. (GS), conducted a Disparity Study to examine potential disparities in municipal procurement based on race and gender. GS sought BRVC’s support to drive local community engagement and public relations efforts to raise awareness of the study and maximize attendance at English- and Spanish-speaking Informational Meetings and Public Hearings.
Our Approach
BRVC implemented a strategic outreach and public relations plan to promote the Disparity Study and encourage community participation. Key initiatives included:
Community Outreach & PR Planning:
Created pre-event plans tailored to English- and Spanish-speaking audiences for both the Informational Meetings (September 10–11, 2024) and Public Hearings (November 20–21, 2024).
Collaborated with GS and Bridgeport’s Small Minority Business Enterprise office to identify and engage target organizations, networks, and individuals through databases, research, and personal connections.
Marketing Collateral Development:
Designed transformative English-language flyers for both the Informational Meetings and Public Hearings to connect with the community.
Drafted and launched press releases via Cision’s PRWeb, reaching up to 133 media platforms.
Distributed press releases directly to local outlets, including CT Post, News 12, Channel 8, Hartford Courant, Patch - Bridgeport, and event platforms like AllEvents.in.
Strategic Online Promotion:
Secured calendar placements on local platforms like CT Post, Patch, and others to maximize visibility.
Adapted outreach for Public Hearings to target construction-related professionals and service providers for broader participation.
Our Impact & Client Milestones
BRVC’s strategic outreach and public relations efforts successfully amplified community awareness and engagement for the City of Bridgeport’s Disparity Study, resulting in the following impactful outcomes:
Increased Visibility:
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Press releases reached a potential audience of up to 3.8 million, with 260 placements across both events and numerous clicks driving interest.
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Secured online calendar placements on prominent platforms like CT Post, Patch - Bridgeport, and AllEvents.in, generating thousands of local impressions.
Community Engagement:
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For the Informational Meetings, 83% of contacted organizations responded, with 33% sharing event details through newsletters and e-blasts. Notable participants included Colorful Bridgeport, Connecticut Construction Industries Association (CCIA) + CCIA Divisions/Associated General Contractors of CT, and ABC Connecticut (Associated Builders and Contractors of CT), demonstrating strong community collaboration.
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Public Hearings maintained participation, with key organizations like the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, and others amplifying outreach efforts and engaging diverse community members.
Event Attendance:
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Recognizable attendees included influential community members and representatives from targeted sectors, particularly construction-related industries, as outreach efforts shifted to better align with audience demographics.
