|
And the Winners Are!
Governor’s Conference on Tourism Honors Industry Excellence
TRENTON, N.J.—Awards for Tourism Excellence were presented to 10 organizations that exemplify the best of the state’s tourism industry during the 2008 Governor’s Conference on Tourism Awards Luncheon at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City.
“The State’s tourism industry continues to serve as a leading and invaluable contributor to our economy,” said Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells. “This year’s winners were responsible for a banner year for New Jersey’s destinations, attractions, and events.”
The Governor’s Conference on Tourism is a joint venture hosted by the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Travel & Tourism and the New Jersey Travel Industry Association. Tourism’s contribution to the state’s economy totaled $38 billion in 2007, an increase of 5.8 percent over the previous year. New Jersey welcomed over 75.2 million visitors and tourism activity generated $7.3 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues. The sector also supported more than 466,000 jobs and generated $16 billion in wages and salaries.
“Excellence within the state’s tourism industry is plentiful – from the non-profit organizations tucked into the rolling hills of the Northwest to the large-scale venues at the Jersey Shore,” said Nancy Byrne, executive director of the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Travel & Tourism. “This year’s nominees truly represent the diversity of our state and we are indeed proud to celebrate all of their accomplishments.”
The 2008 Governor’s Excellence in Tourism winners are as follows:
- The Morris Museum for its Murtogh D. Guinness Collection, representing one of the most significant of its kind in the world. This incredible collection features 700 historic mechanical musical instruments and automata (mechanical figures) and more than 5,000 programmed media, ranging from player piano rolls to pinned cylinders.
- ReClam the Bay, Inc for creating an environmental tourist attraction and engaging and educating hundreds of Jersey Shore visitors through its hands-on re-clamming projects and public art works, while improving the health of New Jersey’s waterways.
- Cape May County Department of Tourism / Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Cape May County Tourism for its iPod press kit. Cape May has been leading the pack in dynamic, cost-effective marketing initiatives. The iPod press kit reached Canadian journalists and travel writers, resulting in nearly $1 million in public relations value at a time when the Canadian Travel Market was (and is) an ideal candidate for innovative and aggressive outreach and focused promotional strategies.
- The New Jersey Lighthouse Society for its New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge. For the past nine years, the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge has attracted visitors to the Jersey Shore during the fall season, and extended their length of stay, all while branding New Jersey with a rich maritime history.
- Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center for its GlassWeekend 2007, a biennial exposition and symposium. Featuring the finest of contemporary glass art, the GlassWeekend has become not only a premier arts and cultural event, but an economic generator that increases tourism expenditures.
- Appel Farm Arts and Music Center for its Arts & Music Festival. For over 20 years, the Appel Farms Arts & Music Festival has attracted out-of-state tourists to Salem County to see one of the most spectacular events of its kind. The program, with its strong social conscience and artistic integrity, highlights both established and emerging artists and musicians, reminding visitors of New Jersey’s extensive, illustrious musical history.
- Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau (MLCVB) for its dynamic website. Through this site, the MLCVB addresses the needs of both inbound visitors and the businesses and organizations it represents. Working with Axiom Communications, they have engaged the internet as a way of driving visitation.
- The Historic Inns of Spring Lake for their “Authors & Inns Tour.” The Inns and Bed & Breakfasts of Spring Lake have united to create a fantastic event that not only garners widespread interest from the literary community, but fills their rooms and extends their visitors’ length of stay.
- Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce for its Chowderfest Weekend 2007. This event is a phenomenon, filling virtually all of the available rooms on Long Beach Island and Manahawkin for at least two nights. This event showcases the Jersey Shore at its finest – food, fun, and family – while representing hundreds of thousands of dollars in tourism expenditures for Southern Ocean County’s business community.
- The Battleship New Jersey’s Museum for its hard-work and dedication to improving its tourism product. Through its dynamic packages and programs, the Battleship NJ has aggressively pursued the group travel market and beyond. It is truly a historical destination that is relevant and engaging to visitors of all ages.
The mission of the New Jersey Governor’s Conference on Tourism is to provide educational sessions, vital industry information, and networking opportunities to the dedicated professionals in New Jersey’s tourism industry.
Major sponsors of this year's conference included the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Verizon, Atlantic City Electric, HMSHost, Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari & Hurricane Harbor and Continental Airlines.
|
