Grants Support Experiential Tourism through Advertising, Signage & Product Development

CUMBERLAND VALLEY, PA (November 18, 2013) - The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau (CVVB) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 Summer Tourism Grant Program. This round of grants includes 9 recipients totaling $30,772.

Since 2010, the CVVB has awarded nearly $148,000 in grants to 30 area organizations representing heritage, culture, agriculture and experiential tourism.

The grant program supports five strategic areas of interest; Advertising in CVVB Target Markets of Baltimore and Washington D.C., Experiential Brochure Printing, Media Development/ Improvements to Support Marketing Efforts, Signage Program, and Tour Creation/ Tourism Product Development. The grant program is funded by Cumberland Valley's local lodging tax.

Below is a list of the recipients, the grant amount awarded and the area of interest. A half cash match was required and awards were determined by an independent grant review panel.

Camp Curtin Historical Society $4,567 Experiential Brochure | Signage Program
The Camp Curtin Historical Society was selected to receive a grant for the installation of five Civil War Wayside Markers in Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg, and creation of an accompanying self-guided brochure. The first wayside marker has already been installed in Lemoyne and this project will continue with more signs being installed in 2014.

Cumberland County Planning Department $2,800 Experiential Brochure
Cumberland County Planning Department, working with the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association, was selected to receive a grant to make updates and reprint 20,000 copies of the very popular Yellow Breeches Creek brochure.

Cumberland Valley Bed & Breakfast Association $1,750 Media Development / Improvement
Cumberland Valley B&B Association was selected to receive a grant to make updates to the CVBBA website allowing them to more easily update their content and blog, integrate better mapping, and make the site mobile. The Cumberland Valley B&B Association is a collection of authentic Pennsylvania lodging treasures, giving visitors a choice of unique Bed and Breakfast Inns.

Downtown Carlisle Association $2,667 Media Development / Improvement
Downtown Carlisle Association was selected to receive a grant to advertise downtown events in Baltimore, MD and Philadelphia, PA using Google AdWords. Downtown Carlisle Association strives to enhance the civic, cultural and economic vitality of the entire community - retail, service, academic, government and industry.

Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership $7,000 Advertising | Experiential Brochure | Media Development / Improvement | Tour Creation
Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership was selected to receive a grant to update and reprint downtown brochures, design and print "Free Parking" and "Open" flags, First Friday clings, and event posters. The Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership's strives to revitalize the downtown and bring together diverse interests to create a unified vision of a vibrant town-center, and enhance the quality of life by preserving and promoting heritage and a unique sense of place.

Friends of Opossum Lake Conservancy $1,200 Signage Program
Friends of Opossum Lake Conservancy were selected to receive a grant to design and print new posters for the three kiosks surrounding the lake. In 2013, Opossum Lake repaired the dam, restored the lake and reopened to visitors. The addition of signage and kiosks will increase visitor understanding of this recreational asset.

Roundtop Mountain Resort $2,500 Advertising
Roundtop Mountain Resort, working with the Courtyard by Marriott, was selected to receive a grant to promote ski/snowboard overnight packages via Google AdWords and Facebook advertising to young families in the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. markets.

Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce $3,500 Advertising | Experiential Brochure | Other Signage
Shippensburg Chamber of Commerce was selected to receive a grant to design and print 20,000 "About Our Town" Brochures, design and print eight pole banners and design, produce and install signs outside of the Chamber Office.

Timber Hill Technology $4,788 Advertising | Experiential Brochure | Media Development / Improvement | Tour Creation
Timber Hill Technology was selected to receive a grant to prepare for the 2014 season and add new Cumberland Valley races by updating the Cumberland Valley Race Series website, updating and placing advertisements in running publications, and updating and printing 10,000 brochures. Timber Hill Technology received a previous grant from the CVVB to create the Cumberland Valley Race Series. The first nine races in the series saw a 24% gain in attendance over the previous year.

"The Grant Program continues to allow us to find new ways to promote our destination and work with our community organizations and businesses to develop new partnerships and long-term business growth opportunities that will increase travel demand," said Shireen Farr, Cumberland Area Economic Development Corp. COO.

The CVVB is very pleased to be able to offer grants to these organizations that will create new experiences in Cumberland Valley and promote the brand in our target markets. The CVVB's intent is to continue the grant program in 2014 with a continued focus on expanding experiential tourism through unique product development.