bws #244 11/09

2010 TOURISM EVENTS WANTED FOR COUNTY CALENDAR


MAKING PLANS -- Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari discusses the upcoming county tourism event calendar with Lori Pepenella, chair of the Ocean County Tourism Advisory Council. Both organizations and businesses are invited to submit 2010 events which would be of interest to tourists.

TOMS RIVER -- Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as tourism spokesperson for Ocean County, has announced that the Ocean County Tourism Council is gearing up to produce a 2010 tourism events calendar.

The county invites organizations and businesses to submit events that are open to the public and would be of interest to tourists . The county lists events on the internet at www.OceanCountyTourism.com and www.co.ocean.nj.us. In addition, the events are published in flyers distributed to visiting tourists. The calendars also are used to inform potential tourists who plan to visit when festivals or other special events are planned. The lists are forwarded to associated groups such as the State Division of Tourism and the Jersey Shore Region Convention and Visitors Bureau and used for potential inclusion on their websites and are used as a tourism resource throughout the year. The calendar also is useful for organizations to review to avoid conflicts when selecting a date to hold an event. Accommodations are encouraged to use the calendar to promote return visits by their guests. The calendar has proved useful to other groups and organizations as well.

"For instance," Vicari said, "when the US Census staff asked for a list of major events that were occurring between now and March for their educational outreach program, we were able to provide many recommendations from our calendar. Recently a school group was visiting the area and wanted something to do. We were able to suggest a number of events from the calendar."

Organizations and businesses sponsoring events in 2010 who want to take advantage of the free promotional opportunity should send the details to Freeholder Vicari at PO Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754-2191 or to OceanCountyTourism@co.ocean.nj.us. Information should include the date, time, place, an e-mail or telephone contact for the public, the cost and a brief description.

"For many groups, special events are a way to raise money from the tourism dollars that flow through the community," Vicari said. "It's a win-win situation. The event enhances the tourist's visit, and the organizations and businesses get a financial benefit."