The Town of Petrolia’s social media presence is making an impression on one of the most recognized Internet names on the planet – Google.

The town will host Google Canada’s associate product marketing manager Feb. 12 for a seminar on the use of mobile technology.

Petrolia’s Director of Marketing, Laurissa Ellsworth says the opportunity came up through a series of connections. The town, which has been working with the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce on promotions, is part of a group which is taking advantage of the new app created by the chamber called My Town Rewards App. The designer of the app knows some people at Google, including Alex Marks.

“The designer said, ‘You know what this is a pretty cool community and I think we can get someone down here to launch the app and talk to the community’,” says Ellsworth.

Marks was so impressed by the chamber’s app and Petrolia’s push to take full advantage of social media, he offered to come and do seminars in Petrolia and Sarnia on how to harness the emerging mobile market.

Ellsworth says the idea which sealed the deal was when Marks heard the town put wireless through the downtown to be used by people on the street for free.

Ellsworth says a number of schools have already shown interest in the seminar including LCCVI which wants to bring 150 students.

“This topic will be of interest to younger people who have an interest in digital production and marketing as well as for businesses looking for ways to use mobile technologies to grow their businesses,” says Ellsworth in a report to council. “Google was very impressed by Petrolia’s forward-thinking in creating a ‘wired’ town.

Ellsworth adds not only will the seminar be helpful for business owners it will give the town a boost. “Petrolia will be showcased at the start of the event at Victoria Hall and a video introduction is currently in the works,” she writes. “The event will also be filmed for future use in promoting Petrolia as a forward-thinking, technology-minded place to live and do business.”