The City of Salem has received nearly $55,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Incentive Program. The grant funds will be used this calendar year for promotion and marketing of the Salem Fair, the Salem Half Marathon, Longwood Park music events, and our eclectic antique shops.
The Salem Fair’s $20,000 grant will enhance advertising efforts in Southwest Virginia, Richmond, and Northern Virginia. The Salem Half Marathon’s $14,887 award will help organizers attract runners from Raleigh, Richmond, and Charlotte to participate in races and experience Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The $20,000 Destination Marketing Grant will bring music lovers from other areas into Salem to enjoy “Jazz in July” and “Pickin In The Park”. In addition, a portion of this grant will be used to elevate the profile of Salem’s various antique shops that regularly lure out of town visitors into the city.
“Virginia’s Championship City applies to everything we do in Salem,” said Carey Harveycutter, Salem’s Tourism Director. “From the fair’s midway to the music performer’s stage to the back booth in one of our fabulous antique stores, we want our patrons to have a first-class experience. These generous grants will help us enhance all of these events and activities.”
Earlier this month, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that VTC had awarded more than $3.2 million for 236 local and regional tourism marketing programs across the state to help increase visitation and revenue for Virginia’s localities through tourism.
“These marketing and sponsorship programs are powerful incentives creating tourism partnerships across Virginia that are a robust part of Virginia’s economic ecosystem,” said Governor Youngkin. “These programs show that tourism and tourism partnerships help Virginia’s vibrant communities grow and thrive.”
Salem has received a total of eight grants from the Virginia Tourism Corporation since 2020 totaling $120,000.
“Driving inbound out-of-state overnight visitation is a key economic strategy and the grant and sponsorship programs help create unique partnerships that have tangible economic impacts across Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “Many of these programs also support regional marketing initiatives designed to encourage Virginians to explore their own state.”
About Virginia Tourism Corporation
Virginia is for Lovers is one of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world. Using that powerful brand equity, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is charged with promoting the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation. The dollars spent by travelers fuel the economy, provide jobs for Virginians, and improve communities across the state. Simply put, tourism helps make Virginia a great place to live, work, and vacation. Learn more at www.virginia.org