The Valentine Receives Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant for Tourism Marketing
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that the Valentine received $5,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Program grant fund. In total VTC awarded more than $852,000 for 46 tourism marketing projects across the state to help increase visitation and revenue for Virginia’s localities through tourism.
The grants are designed to help local and regional tourism entities attract more visitors by leveraging local marketing dollars, and will ultimately impact at least 195 other statewide tourism entities. The local organizations match the state grant funds by a minimum of 2:1 in order to support marketing projects. This funding cycle, the local partners will match the VTC grant dollars with more than $2.1 million, providing more than $3 million in new marketing to increase visitation to Virginia.
The Valentine received a $5,000 grant for its grand re-opening celebration scheduled for Oct. 25. The Valentine partnered with Altria Group and Richmond Region Tourism for additional funds for the project. The Valentine is devoted to collecting and interpreting the material culture of the city in a bold, new way. With its multi-million-dollar renovation, the Valentine has created a people’s space for visitors to engage in public dialog about important urban issues. This is Richmond, Virginia, the museum’s core exhibition, will open Saturday, Oct. 25 in its main history gallery. The Valentine’s Sara D. November Education Center and Stettinius Community Galleries will open in November 2014 and January 2015, chronicling neighborhood-focused stories with hot-button subjects.
“We are so excited to showcase the new Valentine to the Richmond community and all of our visitors to the museum,” said Director Bill Martin. “We wouldn’t be able to do all of this without the support of the Virginia Tourism Corporation and all of our sponsors and donors that have supported this project.”
The VTC Marketing Leverage Program is designed to stimulate new tourism marketing through partnerships by leveraging limited marketing dollars, resulting in increased visitor spending. A minimum of three entities must partner financially to apply and may consist of Virginia towns, cities, counties, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, other local or regional destination marketing organizations, private businesses, museums, attractions, cultural events, and other not-for-profit entities.
“These grants equip local tourism businesses with the tools they need to stay competitive,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Marketing Leverage Program grants help support and grow a robust and diversified New Virginia Economy and encourage strategic marketing of tourism products and businesses across the Commonwealth, generating revenue and jobs.”
“The grants are supporting businesses across the Commonwealth, contributing to the overall economic health of our communities,” said Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “The state’s investment maximizes local marketing funds, allowing for localities to double and sometimes triple their marketing power to attract more visitors. This is a powerful tool for small businesses across the state.”
Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia. In 2013, tourism generated $21.5 billion in revenue, supported 213,000 jobs and provided $1.42 billion in state and local taxes. Dollars invested in tourism are proven to provide a 5:1 return in tax revenue for Virginia, and the grant awards and matching funds provide a stimulus to localities seeking to increase tourism visitation and revenue.
Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Visit www.Virginia.org to learn more about vacation destinations in Virginia or call 1-800-VISITVA to receive a free, Virginia is for Lovers travel guide.
The Valentine preserves, conserves and interprets Richmond, Virginia history and diverse community issues by focusing on urban and social history, costumes, decorative arts and architecture. It is the only institution in the country committed solely to this mission and it is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It houses a 40,000-piece collection of textiles and costumes, one of the largest Western collections of its kind. The Valentine maintains more than one million photographic images of the city, and 25,000 decorative arts pieces, including portraits, furniture and domestic items. Its research library provides primary source material for national and international scholars. The Valentine-owned 1812 John Wickham House is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.
For more information, contact:
Domenick Casuccio
Public Relations & Marketing Director
pr@richmondhistorycenter.com
804-649-0711 ext. 322
804-467-2431 (cell)
