Board introduced new ARTS MONTCO brand; Announced Cirque du Soleil is coming to Montgomery County in 2018

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (Oct. 27, 2017) -- The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB) hosted its largest-ever annual luncheon in the organization’s 50-year history with more than 450 attendees, including hospitality industry partners and elected officials. The luncheon’s “Experiential” theme celebrated the VFTCB’s 500-plus members and all the ways visitors and locals alike can experience Montgomery County.

Keynote speaker Ron Jaworski tied the luncheon’s theme into his remarks where he discussed how his experience as a professional athlete helped him in the business world. Jaworski donated his speaking fee to breast cancer awareness and encouraged attendees to wear pink in support of the cause.

Tourism Stats

“In 2016, tourism spending in Montco reached $1.5 billion and grew by more than 3% from the prior year. It also supported more than 4% of all jobs in Montgomery County, employing close to 20,000 people,” said Rick Odorisio, chairman, board of directors of the VFTCB.

“Montgomery County’s hotel sector outperformed Pennsylvania’s in 2016 and Montco ranked first among the Philadelphia region’s suburban counties – Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware – with a 41% share of the $3.7 billion in total visitor spending,” said Odorisio.

Arts Montco

“With more than 200 arts and culture venues — from live music, to award-winning playhouses, historic movie theaters, and some of the finest gardens and arboretums in the country — we’re excited to introduce our newest brand, ‘ARTS MONTCO,’” said Ed Harris, chief marketing officer, VFTCB.

Harris also announced that Cirque du Soleil will be coming to Montgomery County in 2018 and serve as the first big experience for the new ARTS MONTCO brand.

“We’re thrilled that Cirque du Soleil has identified the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center as a preferred location in the area. This was a result of a team effort by the entire VFTCB team that started a year ago. Additional details will be forthcoming,” said Mike Bowman, president & CEO, VFTCB.

New campaigns

Ed Harris and Lisa Karl, vice president of sales & strategic partnerships, VFTCB, introduced new marketing campaigns for 2018, including a promotional video for the Revolutionary Events brand, a partnership with SEPTA and the Winter Hotel Package.

In an effort to stand out among competitors, the VFTCB introduced a new experiential marketing invention, the Decision-Making Tool Box. This tool box is a twist on the Rock-Paper-Scissors Game and is being used to encourage meetings and events planners to book in Montgomery County.

“Today, we’re proud to announce our new partnership with SEPTA as part of the SEPTA Perks program. The new ISEPTAMONTCO program will offer discounted perks to the more six million visitors who disembark at the one of county’s 49 train stations. These perks include discounts at our restaurants, theatres, shops and museums,” said Harris.

Harris also announced this year’s Winter Hotel Package, which includes one of Montgomery County’s newest restaurants, Founding Farmers, opening Nov. 1, along with attractions like Elmwood Park Zoo, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and the region’s newest attraction, 5 Wits, opening in Plymouth Meeting next weeks.

Valley Forge Sports

Sports tourism represents 56% of VFTCB’s group business and $20 million in positive economic impact for Montgomery County.

“We are excited to announce that Valley Forge Sports has secured two new partnerships in 2018 with the BMW Championships at Aronimink Golf Club and the LPGA Symetra Tour at Raven’s Claw Golf Club,” said Karl.

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The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board 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 500-plus member hotels, restaurants, attractions and services. The Board’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.

 


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