Blogging on Saipan is an International experience. The Chamorro, Filipina, Iranian, Korean, Jamaican, Canadian, Swedish-Finn/German, Vietnamese, American, Japanese, and Russian bloggers at the recent Blogger Meetup on Saipan; Photo: Steve Nguyen




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saipan Bloggers Creating Change in the CNMI


June 27, 2006. SAIPAN, CNMI--The turnout at the sixth Blogger Meetup on the pacific island of Saipan reveals a growing, vibrant, and increasingly influential blogging community on this little island of 62,000 people. Average people--teachers, students, entrepreneurs, radio hosts, and even politicians--all part of the "WeLoveSaipan network," are using their writing talent to spark, lead and document change on their island home.

The network, started in December 2006 with the purpose of uniting the community around the goal of improving Saipan's national identity, has scored some wins while acting as the defacto island town criers.

But what's most impressive, is that the We Love Saipan Network's influence extends beyond Saipan's shores. The bloggers, through their unique stories, perspectives, ideas, opinions and photos are helping Saipan's international image and satisfying a curious world's interest in life on this island paradise.

Outside of an awareness of Saipan among its closest regional neighbors--Japan, Philippines, Korea--previously available information about Saipan for those in the US ranged from non-existent
to exceedingly negative. However, as a result of WeLoveSaipan.com, people from the US and other nations have been increasingly inspired to learn more, visit, launch businesses, consider retirement,and even relocate their families there as a result of reading what bloggers have to say.

While not without its share of economic challenges at present, coupled with bad press in recent months, Saipan is now, however, benefiting from this grass roots campaign to highlight the positive side of what life is like on the island.

The bloggers, through the power of link exchanging, have succeeded in raising the WeLoveSaipan.com site's search engine ranking to position 7 (on google.com), further wielding their growing influence over what the world learns about Saipan.

The Blogger Meetup is the chance for bloggers to network face to face in the real world after months of virtual interaction. At last week's meeting, held every final Wednesday of the month at one of the island's internet cafes, 27 of the island's estimated 100 bloggers showed up to share knowledge, exchange ideas, plan future expansion, and simply get to know their blogosphere neighbors.

For more information on the origin, history and individual members of the Network, visit www.WeLoveSaipan.com

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