The Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau and Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the first annual Toast to Tourism Award on September 15, 2015 at Grounds for Sculpture. The ceremony began with a welcome and thank you to the tourism community from Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.
Brian Tyrrell of Stockton College and Travel and Tourism Training and Research Associates presented “The 2014 Economic Impact of Tourism in the Princeton Region” study. The study showed that Mercer County had two billion in tourism expenditure in 2014, which is the fifth year in a row that spending has increased in the region. It was also 18.5% higher than the pre-recession level of $1.7 billion in 2007. County Executive Brian Hughes also introduced the new Mercer County Branding Campaign, designed by the Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau in conjunction with Mercer County and EFK Group.
The Awards Breakfast honored leaders in the tourism industry who have enhanced and expanded tourism through their enthusiasm, passion, and dedication, and have made a significant promotional and economic impact in the industry in the Princeton-Mercer Region. The Salute to Service Award was presented to Phyllis Oppenheimer of the New Jersey State Department of Travel and Tourism; The Tribute to Tourism Award was presented to Trenton Thunder. The Praise for Performance Award was presented to two exemplary frontline employees who have demonstrated superior service above and beyond the call of duty. This year’s honorees were Sivian Ben-Gad of the Peacock Inn and Larry Ciccone of the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal.
