CARLISLE, PA (April 8, 2010) - The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau (CVVB) held a Grant Workshop for all those interested in applying for the Tourism Grant Program on Monday, March 15th at the Homewood Suites in Mechanicsburg. 

This workshop brought in 25 attendees from all geographic and business sectors interested in learning more about the program. The workshop served as an opportunity for the CVVB to share what they are looking for in an application and offered attendees the chance to ask questions.

The CVVB announced that the application for the Tourism Grant must support the CVVB's mission and focus on the marketing of or creating of tourism products where the identified segments having the most potential for growth can be achieved. It is also important that it deliver a measurable integrated consistent and cost effective marketing mix to reach the highest-yield consumers and to achieve maximum return on investment.

Target areas the CVVB has interest in include downtowns, wayfinding signage, ag-tourism and waterfront revitalization. Also, over the next five years, the Commonwealth and Cumberland Valley will be supporting the Civil War's sesquicentennial through Civil War 150 activities.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Mon., May 3, 2010 to: CVVB, 401 E. Louther St., Suite 209, Carlisle PA 17013. Awards will be announced by May 24, 2010 via phone.

If you have any questions about the Tourism Grant Program please contact Shireen Farr, Director of Tourism, at 717-240-7196 or shireen@visitcumberlandvalley.com .

The mission of the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau is to promote Cumberland Valley as a tourist destination, attract visitors to the area, enhance the visitor's experience, and to encourage and promote overnight stays.

The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau is also part of Pennsylvania's Dutch Country Roads region, a true vacation destination where country meets city and the past lives side-by-side with the present.