FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lee Chambers, Marketing/Public Relations Manager
Phone: (413) 755-1345/E-mail: lee@valleyvisitor.com

GSCVB Partners with CBS 3 Springfield to Encourage "Staycations" for Pioneer Valley Residents

Springfield, MA--(7/24/08)—The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) has expanded its marketing efforts in response to the increase in fuel costs and in recognition of consumer trends.

The Bureau will continue to target upstate New York and other New England regions to attract visitors to the Pioneer Valley, but has enhanced its marketing efforts by encouraging local residents to spend time exploring regional attractions and sites. CBS 3 Springfield has partnered with the GSCVB to produce "Destination Staycation," a series of television spots that highlight several attractions, including dining and shopping sites. The ads will air through the end of August and feature several leading tourism industry professionals including Craig Rydin (chairman, Yankee Candle Village), Wayne McCary (president, Eastern States Exposition), Cindy Anzalotti (president, CityStage & Symphony Hall) and John Doleva (president & CEO, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame) among others. The spots will encourage viewers to become tourists in their own backyard. The Bureau has also collaborated with masslive.com in promoting that web site's "Staycation" web page (http://www.masslive.com/sites/staycation/) and offering five $50 gas cards in a give-away contest.

"Escalating fuel costs have forced many consumers to either cancel their summer vacation plans or, at best, keep them closer to home and minimize travel," said Bureau President Mary Kay Wydra. "We want to remind Pioneer Valley residents that there are so many wonderful attractions here that appeal to a wide variety of people. If they're opting to stay close to home, we want them to be able to enjoy their ‘staycation' and our Bureau stands ready to guide them to many exciting options."

"We hope these television spots will generate some excitement and extra appreciation of the many great destinations we have here," said EDC Tourism Committee Chairman Craig Rydin. "The possibilities for fun in the Pioneer Valley are endless, whether people want to shop, go to theme parks, enjoy outdoor recreational sports, go camping, see museums and galleries or plan a picnic in a park or forest. We hope people will reconnect with their region and spend the summer exploring all that it offers."

According to CBS 3 Springfield's General Manager John Hesslein, "The CBS 3 Springfield and GSCVB partnership will ultimately benefit the entire Pioneer Valley region. Together we have a common goal to provide the very best information on how to take advantage of all summer fun opportunities here. The economic challenges that we all face today should not stop us from enjoying this summer with family and friends. This is why this program is so important. The GSCVB and its membership are providing discounts at popular area attractions, hotels, cultural venues and restaurants. CBS 3 Springfield provides tremendous local coverage to get this message out. Our message is clear – "stay local this summer and have a ball!"

Visitors and residents alike may contact the GSCVB to acquire the Guide to Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley, a comprehensive overview of the area's leading sites, as well as the WOW Value Book, which contains money-saving discount coupons for several attractions. Both items are free and may be obtained by calling the Bureau at 800-723-1548 or 413-787-1548, emailing info@valleyvisitor.com, or stopping by the Visitor Information Centers at 1441 Main Street or 1200 West Columbus Avenue, both in Springfield. The Bureau's web site, www.valleyvisitor.com features coupons that can be downloaded and used at several sites, an event calendar, maps and listings of area attractions, among other information.

The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.

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