| NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF TRAVEL &
TOURISM AWARDS SIXTEEN COOPERATIVE MARKETING GRANTS TO ENHANCE TOURISM
PROMOTION STATEWIDE
Trenton (July 15, 2004)—Sixteen organizations
across the Garden State have been awarded Tourism Cooperative Marketing
Grants totaling $128,572 for 2004.
The Cooperative Marketing Program is a vital partnership
between the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism and the state’s
diverse travel attractions, special event planners and other tourism service
providers. Such funding is key to increasing visitation, and this year’s
award recipients mirror the diversity that defines tourism in New Jersey.
“Tourism remains a cornerstone industry for the state,”
said Governor James E. McGreevey. “Our continued support to New Jersey’s
varied tourism organizations and venues are instrumental to the industry’s
continued growth, and the Cooperative Marketing Program remains an integral
part of this strategy.”
“Year after year, the Cooperative Marketing Program
promotes and markets the wonders of the state’s $31 billion tourism
industry and reminds travelers far and wide of why New Jersey remains an
ideal tourism destination of the Northeast,” said Nancy J. Byrne,
Executive Director of the Office of Travel & Tourism.
Below is a list of organizations that received Cooperative
Marketing Grants:
Gateway Region (Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Hudson,
Union & Middlesex Counties)
City of Hoboken - $15,000
For an aggressive marketing plan highlighting Hoboken’s Spring Arts
& Music Festival featuring diverse music, artists and cuisine. The
event attracts upwards of 75,000-80,000 annually.
Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce - $7,500
For the creation of a website, Exit13A.com, that will collectively promote
the business community and tourism destinations around Exit 13A. The project
will have a major impact the business community and the greater Elizabeth
population by defining the area as a premier commercial locale.
Delaware River Region (Mercer, Burlington, Camden
Gloucester & Salem Counties)
Trenton Downtown Association - $13,975
For the newly formed consortium of business organizations, museums, cultural
organizations and hotels led by the Trenton Downtown Association to build
a destination for “Patriots Week,” a festival centered on the
battles of Trenton during the Revolutionary War and area’s rich colonial
history.
Whitesbog Preservation Trust - $3,636
For the distribution of full color brochures, including varied recreational
opportunities and general event/program information. The method of distribution
utilizes direct mailing, networking programs and off site tourist marketing
opportunities.
Skylands Region (Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Morris
and Somerset Counties)
BoBolink Dairy & Bakeyard - $14,780.50
For creation and printing of rack brochures to be distributed statewide
and throughout New York to promote the attraction as a model of sustainable
agriculture. Newspaper and magazine ads will also be created.
Lambertville Area Chamber of Commerce - $8,300
For the redesign of the Chamber’s website to showcase to prospective
visitors the unique character and diversity of Lambertville’s historic
sites, accommodations and other unique attractions. The new site will encompass
built-in counters and tracking systems to evaluate site usage.
Morris County Visitors Center - $6,397.50
For the printing of a new Morris County Visitors Guide to promote historic
sites, museums, attractions, hotels, restaurants, gardens and arts &
culture venues at a greater volume that the previous year.
Hunterdon Museum of Art - $882
For the Hunterdon Museum of Art and the Red Mill Museum Village of Clinton
for publication of a jointly produced publicity brochure to be distributed
at New Jersey Tourist/Information Welcome Centers in an effort to target
markets outside the local area and attract new constituencies.
Southern Shore Region (Cape May & Cumberland
Counties)
Millville Development Corporation - $10,000
For an event called “Third Friday” that will seek to attract
first-time and repeat visitors and increase Millville’s market share
through increased advertising highlighting its collection of art galleries,
shops and eateries.
Wildwoods Fabulous Fifties Weekend - $10,000
For advertising and promotion of the Wildwoods Fabulous Fifties Weekend
throughout the Philadelphia and Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. These are
target markets and critical to the overall success of the retro weekend
extravaganza.
Wetlands Institute - $4,572
For printing of brochures promoting the popular Wings N’ Water Festival,
which is marketed from New York City through Washington D.C. via daily
and weekly newspapers, national publications, trade and travel publications,
direct mail, radio, TV and website.
Greater Atlantic City Region (Atlantic County)
Steel Pier, A.C. - $10,000
For the application of a proposed marketing plan that includes distribution
of Steel Pier logo backpacks on an airline with arrivals into Atlantic
City containing family-related items, in addition to a planned cable TV
and print advertising campaign in Philadelphia and regional newspapers.
Great American Trolley, Co. - $2,500
For the update and production of a full color brochure with photos of featured
attractions and tour photos that will act as a primary selling tool to
both out-of-state and in-state consumers. 45,000 brochures will be distributed
at Northern New Jersey host thruways, Philadelphia hotels and attractions
and Atlantic City hotels and attractions.
Shore Region (Monmouth & Ocean Counties)
Count Basie Centennial Committee - $12,502
For promoting and marketing the Count Basie Centennial, a series of events
to celebrate the life and contributions of New Jersey native William “Count”
Basie through the presentation and coordination of theatrical performances,
concerts, lectures and other presentations in Red Bank.
Seaside Heights Business Improvement District -
$5,027
For brochure advertising targeting potential visitors from New York, Pennsylvania,
Connecticut and Northern New Jersey, along with a second phase consisting
of a cable advertising campaign to encourage day-trippers to stay overnight
with their families.
Horse Park of New Jersey - $3,500
For establishing a world-class facility for education and the exhibition
of horses as well as other venues of agriculture. This effort will include
the printing of a new brochure, corporate promotional packet and the mailing
materials.
“The 2004 Cooperative Marketing Grant recipients showcase
the fact that New Jersey’s greatest strength as a tourism destination
is its diversity,” said Byrne.
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