PROVO — The marketing people at Tahitian Noni don't want their new visitors center at their world headquarters to be a best kept secret.
They want the word out there.
"No one knows about us," Andre Peterson, director of public relations, lamented recently.
A multilevel, direct marketing company, Tahitian Noni has allowed independent distributors to spread the word about the seven products the company sells worldwide that all come from the noni tree found in the French Polynesian Islands. Yet its visitors center remains relatively unknown.
About five months ago the company completed a remodel of its West River Park Drive headquarters ground floor, which opened it up as a center where the community could gather.
"We wanted to create a paradise in Provo," said Shon Whitney, vice president of marketing communications.
Now the company offers a place for a variety of community events, including recitals, free Friday night concerts and talent shows, Monday night movies in the 300-seat auditorium (also free) and one of only eight competitively priced Tahitian Noni restaurants. The other health-oriented restaurants are in Japan, which has three, Germany and Brazil with one each and as many in Atlanta and Dallas.
A first-ever bridal show was held this month and wedding photographers have discovered the company's new Morinda Gardens as an ideal setting to shoot bridal portraits.
"We see photographers bringing their brides here quite often," Peterson said.
The naturelike setting is a three-acre park behind the headquarters building with a chlorinated wading pool, acres of grass and flowers and at least one of "about every kind of tree that will grow in Utah," Peterson said.
A curved bridge separates the wading pool from a mountain stream, complete with waterfalls and trophy-size rainbow trout that swim freely, not ever having to worry whether the food they eat has a hook hidden inside. The stream is self-sustaining, allowing the fish to thrive on natural food sources, he said.
"We built the facility to make it a part of the community where people can come and enjoy the gardens, the cafe and the entertainment," Whitney said.
"(The Friday Night concerts) give people an opportunity to showcase their talents," Chris Henshaw, community relations manager, said.
Upcoming events include a Brigham Young University jazz concert that will feature blind musician Valerie Capers. The three-day event begins with BYU faculty jazz musicians on Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m., no charge, and Capers on Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through the BYU Fine Arts Center and are $10 for the general public and $8 for members of KBYU.
On Jan. 20, at 7 p.m., Capers holds a free masters class where she teaches and critics jazz students.
Many of the noni trees that produce the company's $540 million in annual sales grow wild on about 80 islands within the 180-chain of islands that make up French Polynesia. The fruit is harvested year-round, then shipped to the American Fork bottling plant where it is turned into a puree and juice health drink. Other products that come from the tree include a tea made from the leaves, an oil made from seeds in the fruit used in skin care products, and a line of products for horses. More products are in development.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com