FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Andrew Staub
Communications Specialist
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 103 or astaub@yorkpa.org

Anne Druck
President
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 104 or aduck@yorkpa.org 

YORK, PA - The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau will host its 15th Annual York County Tourism Industry Event at Wyndridge Farm on December 7, with Emmy Award winner Peter Greenberg set to deliver the keynote address for the annual celebration.

The travel editor for CBS News, Greenberg will return to York County just six months after visiting The Factory Tour Capital of the World to film a segment for an upcoming episode of his television show, "The Travel Detective," which airs on PBS stations across the country. He also broadcast his nationally syndicated radio show from York County during his visit last summer.

Greenberg will discuss travel trends as well as touch upon how York County attractions can credibly reach storytellers and journalists like him.

The Annual Tourism Industry Event will run 8-10 a.m., and also feature remarks from Carrie Fischer Lepore, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Marketing, Tourism and Film in Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development.

York County CVB President Anne Druck will provide her annual update on York County's local tourism industry, which has enjoyed steady growth over the past decade.

"Visitors spend more than $943 million a year in York County, but the true value of tourism extends beyond dollars and cents," Druck said. "In addition to supporting thousands of jobs, tourism raises our overall quality of life and gives us the opportunity to celebrate everything that makes York County a wonderful place to live, work and play. We look forward to joining our industry stakeholders to celebrate our past successes, with an eager eye on building an even greater future together."

The local tourism industry remains poised for further growth, thanks to the new York County Tourism Grant Program. It has proved a dynamic driver of economic development and was honored with the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association's Innovation Award.

"In just a year, the grant program has awarded more than $1 million to almost two dozen projects - a truly impressive accomplishment and a testament to the creative businesses and organizations who have developed compelling plans to draw more visitors to York County," said Mark Sindicich, Chair of the York County CVB's Board of Directors. "The York County Tourism Grant Committee has done a stellar job identifying projects that will make the most impact, and we expect more targeted investments to come in 2018 and beyond."

In 2017, York County continued to host lucrative sporting events, like the Keystone State Games, that introduced youth athletes and their families to the area. The YCCVB also booked exciting new competitions, such as the 2019-2021 Special Olympics Indoor Winter Games.

The York County CVB also secured two major conventions for 2018, landing both marketplaces for the Pennsylvania Bus Association and Maryland Motorcoach Association. The events are expected to drive more group tours to York County attractions.

And the YCCVB earned positive national media attention that will continue to pay off in 2018, when Greenberg's segment on York County airs.

Those successes, as well as the plans for the future, will be discussed during the Annual Tourism Industry Event. Media coverage is invited.

The Annual Tourism Industry Event is sponsored by York College of Pennsylvania's Hospitality Management Program, Susquehanna Heritage, FirstEnergy Foundation, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Getaways on Display Inc., and SDPcreative.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. The York County CVB's Vision is for a York County where tourism is recognized for the value of its economic impact and its role in raising the profile of York County as a sought-after destination. For more information on the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 1-888-858-9675 or visit www.yorkpa.org.

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