Page 9 - Tropic Magazine Issue 20

EDITOR’S

LETTER

Step up to the plate
I’m just back from a three-week stay Witnessing the pace of life and the
in New York City, an epic, magnificent relentless hustle in NYC was inspiring,
adventure anyone who’s been there will actually. It made wonder if we need
get. If you haven’t been to the Big Apple to take a few more risks and shift up a
yet, book a trip. Pronto. Here now at few gears more regularly, in business,
my keyboard, with the fog of jetlag still politics and our cultural life. Our city
lingering and the clock ticking toward has struggled with economic confidence
this magazine deadline, I’ve noted down and relevance since the GFC, a condition
some lessons and ideas that Cairns could not unique to Cairns. It’s just that many
adopt from NYC. You can turn to page other cities and destinations are getting
56-57 to read all about it. more creative and more aggressive in
Travel is inspiring on many levels, as their self-promotion. Do we need to be a
you know, and the benefit of distance bit more New York, in our own tropical
and some clear headspace forges new way?
perspectives on your home city. Being Another key takeaway from the trip was
embedded in the beautiful chaos of a sense of reassurance about our work
midtown Manhattan and Brooklyn for here at Tropic Group, and what some
that extended period reminded me of our friends, collaborators and clients
just how comfortable, laidback and are doing in their businesses. I was can do, the council is in a position to
lucky (most of us) are in Tropical North pleasantly surprised to discover we’re not deliver so much - or so little - at a local
Queensland, and Australia in general. light years away from what the coolest level. I look forward to seeing their
At least compared to the average New cats in New York are doing. I wasn’t visions, plans and policies to build the
Yorker. Many locals I spoke to over there totally blown away by how brilliant and best regional city in Australia, if not the
are far from comfortable. It’s not easy cutting edge they all were. They are those best small city in the world. Tropic will
making a measly minimum wage topped things, of course. It’s New York City throw our support behind anyone who
up by tips in a city that never sleeps or after all. There’s just more of everything does, be it in politics, business or the
gives you an easy break. The hustle is there (8 million people, for starters), arts. I hope you do too.
real and unforgiving. It makes our 9-to- and that competition and population
5 ‘grind’ and island-time lifestyle look density creates magic and new trends
like a dream. around every corner. From the outside,
this sheer abundance of people, choices
and creativity is intimidating but get
amongst it and you soon realise we’re
doing some cool things here ourselves,
just in smaller batches. More of it,
please. Gavin King
Critical to all the above is the council [email protected]
election in about six months’ time. The
next Mayor and group of councillors PS: Please drop me a line at gavin@
elected in March 2020 can help foster tropicgroup.com.au anytime with
an inspiring, vibrant city or… not. More feedback, ideas or to catch up about our
than any State and Federal Government work for clients at Tropic Studio.

9 • tropicnow.com.au