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Somerset
County Tourism Honors Winners of 2019 Salute
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to
Tourism at Sixth Annual Awards Event
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Urban Planning and Placemaking
Expert, Steven Pedigo Spoke on the
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Importance of Branding Communities
as a Tool for Economic Development
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Bridgewater,
NJ – January 2019 / Newsmaker Alert / Somerset
County Tourism celebrated the winners of the 6th Annual Somerset
County Salute to Tourism Awards Program on January 18 at the Bridgewater
Marriott Hotel, Bridgewater, N.J. The program pays tribute to front line
tourism staff and organizations that set the bar for Somerset County’s
$1.2 billion tourism industry. Winners were recognized in four categories:
Economic Champion, Service Excellence, Tourism Champion and new this year,
Outstanding Event.
The
2019 Salute to Tourism winners
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Service
Excellence – Gina DiFrancesco, Rooms Controller, Bridgewater Marriott –
for going above and beyond to help successfully relocate a new Rutgers
University football coach and his family from Ohio to Bridgewater.
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After
booking rooms for the coach, who was relocating to the area with his family,
DiFrancesco created a welcome package and followed up with his family upon
check-in at the hotel. The coach was so appreciative of the personalized
service and attention he received, that his family ultimately decided to
make Bridgewater their home.
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Economic
Champion – The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster – for its
impact on Somerset County in the areas of employment, financial contributions,
and community events and programs.
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The small
yet vibrant non-profit organization employs 56 local residents and contributed
nearly $100,000 to the local economy by supporting many local businesses
and community organizations. The Center hosted 18 free events that drew
thousands of people to the area; it offered more than 200 classes and workshops
and ran 57 art camps; and its art exhibitions featured the work of 536
area artists. Additionally, the Center’s six outreach programs were attended
by 355 members of the community.
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Tourism
Champion – Tour of Somerville – for championing Somerset County’s cycling
heritage, drawing over 25,000 spectators and 1,000 cyclists to thriving
Downtown Somerville in its 75th year, and expanding event offerings to
appeal to the entire community.
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The oldest
bike race in the U.S., the Tour of Somerville included events for all ages
and interests over the three-day Memorial Day weekend, adding a new nighttime
Sprint Cycling event with world-class cyclists. Organizers of the Tour
continue to innovate with a mind to sustain Somerset County’s cycling heritage
by instilling a love for cycling among each generation.
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Outstanding
Event – Somerset County’s Weekend Journey Through the Past – for bringing
the educational, economic and preservation benefits of heritage tourism
to residents and visitors for over 10 years.
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An initiative
of the Somerset County Freeholders and Somerset County Cultural & Heritage
Commission, this annual free event is conducted in partnership with local
history organizations, artists and Somerset County Tourism. It highlights
30 significant historic sites and their attendant volunteer organizations.
The 2018 Weekend Journey served thousands of Somerset county residents,
and visitors from 13 other New Jersey counties, 12 states and nine foreign
countries.
Jacqueline
Morales, director of tourism, opened the event with some statistics and
updates about Somerset County Tourism.
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According
to the 2017 Tourism Economic Impact Study, Tourism in Somerset County grew
by 4% in 2017 alone, exceeding that of all immediate competitors and all
of the state’s shore counties.
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The county’s
tourism industry supports 20,000 jobs, and tourism contributes the equivalent
of $1,200 dollars in state and local taxes for every household in Somerset
County.
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Leveraging
the destination’s strengths in birding, golf, gardens and equestrian amenities,
Somerset County Tourism created a niche print and digital advertising campaign
that featured more than 70 member destinations and experiences. It earned
more than 2 million impressions over six months and increased website traffic
by 78%.
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In addition
to significant growth last year in the areas of retail and hospitality,
culinary and beverage tourism have emerged as significant sectors.
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Several
of Somerset County’s destinations and experiences are featured in the 2019
State Travel Guide, with several events and venues prominently showcased.
The event’s
featured speaker was Steven Pedigo, an expert in economic and urban development,
city strategy and management, and placemaking. He spoke on “Place Matters.
Leveraging Somerset's Community Brand and Identity.” Some top takeaways
of his talk include:
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Places
compete for talent, investment and tourism.
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Places
must develop and communicate a cohesive message to leverage a community’s
value as somewhere to live, do business and visit.
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Talent
attraction and retention in today’s job market means finding opportunities
for younger workers.
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Somerset
County’s access to New York City and Philadelphia is a vital part of why
it’s a great place to live.
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Communities
must create and curate experiences for residents and visitors in order
to attract and retain them.
More information
about Somerset County’s tourism destinations is available at www.visitsomersetnj.com;
or contact Jacqueline Morales at jackie@visitsomersetnj.org
or 908-218-4300.
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About
Somerset County Tourism
Somerset
County Tourism, a 501(c)(3) organization, is the official destination
marketing organization (DMO) for Somerset County, N.J. and a Division of
the Somerset County Business Partnership.
Its mission is to advance the local economy by sustainably promoting the
area’s outstanding travel products and experiences, and to offer a variety
of useful services to residents, business travelers and leisure visitors.
Somerset County Tourism is an active member of New Jersey Destination Marketing
Organizations and the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association. For more
information visit www.VisitSomersetNJ.org
or call 908-218-4300, ext. 28.
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About
Steven Pedigo
Steven
Pedigo (iamstevenpedigo.com/about-me)
is an expert in economic and urban development, city strategy and management,
and placemaking. He has advised and collaborated with more than 50 cities,
universities, developers, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies across
the globe to build more creative, innovative, and inclusive communities.
Pedigo is the director of the New York University Schack Institute of Real
Estate Urban Lab and a clinical assistant professor of economic development
at NYU. He is also the director of research and advising for the Creative
Class Group, an associate partner at Resonance Consultancy (Vancouver/NYC)
and a senior advisor for Leland Consulting (Portland).
Media
Contacts:
Jacqueline
Morales
Somerset
County Tourism Director
908-218-4300
Caryn
Starr-Gates
StarrGates
Business Communications
for
Somerset County Tourism
201-791-4694 |