newjerseynewsroom.com

$150,000 going to promote 2014 Super Bowl in Meadowlands

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

16 New Jersey tourism organization will share more than $1.4 million in state marketing grants, the state Division of Travel and Tourism announced Thursday.

The organizations work with entertainment venues, restaurants, retail outlets, and hotels to promote a municipality or region’s historical, cultural, and artistic attractions.

The so-called Destination Marketing Organization Grants were awarded to:

Atlantic City Convention and Visitor Authority - $74,835

Brick City Development Corporation in Newark - $48,000

Central Jersey Convention and Visitors Bureau in Middlesex County – $36,000

Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs - $3,551

Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce - $33,000

Jersey City Economic Development Corporation – $114,000

Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau - $150,000

Morris County Tourism Bureau - $141,000

Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce - $123,000

Shore Regional Tourism Council - $111,000

Somerset County Business Partnership - $108,000

South Jersey Tourism Corporation - $36,072

Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce - $141,000

Southern Shore Regional Tourism Council - $141,000

Sussex County Chamber of Commerce - $102,000

Trenton Downtown Association - $62,723

“Tourism is New Jersey’s third largest private sector employer and generates $35.5 billion in economic activity and 310,000 jobs,” Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who oversees the Division of Travel and Tourism, said. “These grants will leverage additional economic activity and, most importantly, create jobs.”

The Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau, for example, will use its $150,000 grant to promote Super Bowl XLVIII, which will be played at MetLife Stadium in 2014. The South Jersey Tourism Corporation plans to showcase New Jersey’s winery industry. The Southern Shore Regional Tourism Council will launch a campaign targeted to Canadians to promote the shore as a vacation destination.

Each grant application is reviewed by what is described as an independent panel with granting, marketing, and tourism experience. Applicants must demonstrate quality work, a clear demonstration of how their project will contribute to New Jersey’s tourism industry, and how their project fits within the Division of Travel and Tourism’s priorities.

“DMOs play a valuable role in promoting tourism and generating economic activity,” state Travel & Tourism Director Grace Hanlon said. “Over the years, these grants have successfully helped tourism organizations promote New Jersey as a vacation destination.”