PRESS RELEASE 7/1/2020
Carlyn Topkin
Lou Hammond Group
Tel: (212) 891-0214
E-mail: carlynt@louhammond.com
Natchez Convention Promotion Commission Launches
Tourism Economic Recovery Stimulus Program
New Program Designed to Stimulate Local Economy Through Event Creation Following COVID-19
NATCHEZ, MS – July 1, 2020 – To reinvigorate tourism following the forced closures caused by COVID-19, the Natchez Convention Promotion Commission (NCPC) has developed a tourism economic recovery stimulus program to provide financial aid and marketing support to the development of COVID-19 compliant events and programs to be held before the end of 2020.
Open to local businesses, organizations, and/or individuals, the application period for the program begins today and is designed to support the creation of events and programs that will support the local tourism community, exhibit positive tourism potential, and generate awareness of Natchez as a desirable destination. Applications can be found under ‘Resources’ on VisitNatchez.org. There is no cost to apply. Applicants will be notified of the status of the request via mail or email.
“We’re open for business and wanted to design a program that would tap into the creativity of our local community and allow us to come together and offer new reasons for travelers to come to Natchez,” said NCPC Executive Director Jennifer Ogden Combs. “With our expansive outdoor offerings, al fresco dining and bed & breakfast properties, Natchez is an easy place for a socially distant getaway. We are excited to see what type of experiences the community presents and to incentivize travelers to choose Natchez as their vacation destination over the next six months.”
The funds will be granted according to the guidelines below, on a first-come, first-served basis, and is dependent upon the NCPC’s ability to fund the program.Additional criteria can be found on VisitNatchez.org.
Types of funding available include:
- Event Development – If approved, funds to be provided to assist the creation of events that are COVID-19 compliant and support local businesses.
- Marketing assistance – If approved, funds to be provided to organization to be used by organization in their marketing efforts according to the guidelines found herein.
- Marketing by NCPC/Visit Natchez – Funds not provided to the organization, but NCPC/Visit Natchez will market and promote the event. These efforts may include traditional media, social and digital advertising, etc. and will be at the sole discretion of the NCPC/Visit Natchez.
Funding decisions will be made by the NCPC and only completed applications will be considered.
About Natchez
Natchez, Mississippi, located 80 miles north of Baton Rouge, is quickly becoming a sought-after cultural tourism destination. Attracting over 670,000 visitors annually from around the world, Natchez is known for its culture and history, offering more historic structures than any other location in the United States.It is also the Bed and Breakfast Capital of the South, and “The Biscuit Capital of the World.”Natchez is one of the oldest continuous settlements on the Mississippi River and its evolution over 300 years has provided an astounding array of ways to discover and enjoy southwest Mississippi. For more information about Natchez, visit www.visitnatchez.org or call 800-647-6724.
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Please email completed applications to Katie Ernst at
kernst@visitnatchez.org.