Trenton, NJ— The Governor’s Tourism Awards were presented to 10 organizations that exemplify the best of the state’s tourism industry during the 2009 Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Trump Marina in Atlantic City.
“This year’s honorees exemplify the spirit of the New Jersey tourism industry by contributing to the quality of the experience for our visitors and promoting economic development by investing in our state's future,” said Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells. “Through some very creative events, promotions, advertising, and public relations initiatives, these organizations have successfully encouraged travelers to select New Jersey as their destination of choice.”
The Governor’s Conference on Tourism is a joint venture hosted by the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Travel & Tourism and the New Jersey Travel Industry Association.
The 2009 New Jersey Governor's Tourism Awards recipients are as follows:
- Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic City: Atlantic City Air Show - “Thunder over the Boardwalk”
- Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement Development Association, Wildwood: 2008 Public Relations Campaign - "Waves of Raves"
- Crystal Springs Resort, Vernon
- Cape May County Department of Tourism, Cape May Court House: Canadian Marketing Program
- Princeton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, Princeton
- Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson: The Dark Knight Coaster Public Relations Campaign
- Greater Wildwood Hotel Motel Association: Wildwood By The Sea Film Festival
- Liberty Science Center, Jersey City: Publicity Campaign 2008
- Pier Village, Long Branch
- Joseph P. Hayes Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven: honoring Ruth Blankemeyer, Group Sales Director
The mission of the New Jersey Governor’s Conference on Tourism is to provide educational sessions, vital industry information, and networking opportunities to the dedicated professionals in New Jersey’s tourism industry.
The $38.8 billion New Jersey tourism industry employs over 443,000 New Jerseyans and 1 out of 9 New Jersey workers owe their job to tourism. Tourism generated $7.7 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue in 2008. If tourism did not exist, each New Jersey household would pay $1,427 more in taxes to maintain current tax receipts.
Major sponsors of this year's conference included the Xanadu Meadowlands, Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, Verizon, New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Atlantic City Electric, HMS Host, Continental Airlines, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari & Hurricane Harbor.
For more information on New Jersey activities and destinations, assistance on planning a New Jersey vacation, including additional itinerary ideas, accommodations and free brochures, go to www.visitnj.org.
