Contact: John Golden
               610.834.7985
               610.420.6337 (m)
               golden@valleyforge.org

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. - Michael S. Bowman, President and CEO of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB), has been appointed to the Board of Community Assistance (BCA) of Upper Merion Township as its chairman.

He joins fellow board members:

• Lydia Dan Sardinas (Vice Chairperson), market manager, Upper Merion Farmers Market
• Scott Milner, Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
• Ira Lubert, Investor, Valley Forge Casino Resort

The BCA was established by the Board of Supervisors and Valley Forge Casino Resort to provide grants to organizations that serve Upper Merion residents and to award scholarships for high school seniors from Upper Merion Township who will continue their education. All applications are reviewed, discussed and chosen based on their proposed need.

Over the years, the BCA has provided greater community participation and input into local government. Last year, more than $145,000 was granted to 68 recipients to both community organizations and students.

The BCA's reach in helping college-bound seniors has increased substantially over its history. In 2014, eight scholarships were awarded, with a total value near $25,000. By 2014, results had risen to encompass 30 students being awarded nearly $50,000 toward their continuing educations. The maximum scholarship available has doubled since 2014, from $5,000 in aid to $10,000.

In addition, the BCA will continue to award the General Von Steuben $10,000 scholarship to one high school senior, as well as the Ronald G. Wagenmann $5,000 student scholarship.

"I am truly honored," Bowman commented, "to be part of an organization that gives our young people one of the most valuable resources a person can have: An opportunity to continue their educations beyond the secondary school system. The working world being what it is today, a college diploma is a must-have for success into adulthood, and I look forward to providing a steady stream of top-notch professionals into the workforce, all from Upper Merion Township, all assisted by the fine work that BCA does. I congratulate all recipients of these funds, past, present and future."

About the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) is a nonprofit, membership based sales and marketing organization that actively promotes the Valley Forge area and Montgomery County, Pa., as a convention site and leisure visitor destination by encouraging patronage of its 390 member hotels, restaurants, attractions and services. The VFTCB recently went through a top to bottom rebranding of the organization. It launched a new "Let Freedom Reign" branding campaign in May 2014, which has quickly generated new excitement and interest in Montgomery County and its numerous tourism and convention destinations. The campaign included a traveling #MakeItMontco kiosk, which has already visited more than 20 locations, a multimedia advertising campaign, a robust media relations campaign, "whistle stop" tours through Montgomery County towns to educate residents and elected officials about the new campaign. The VFTCB's award-winning website, valleyforge.org, serves visitors, meeting planners, tour operators and residents, as well as hosts The Pursuit, a nationally recognized twice-weekly blog.