Volume 4, Number1 Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Chester County feature
  

The Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau Foundation has awarded over $380,000 in Tourism Grants for the fall 2006 grant cycle. Introduced in October 2000, the Tourism Grant Program awards funds to non-profit Chester County attractions and organizations for capital projects, events and marketing plans aimed at attracting visitors from outside the county. The Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau Foundation administers the program with a specially appointed committee which considers the applications, drawing from county hotel tax proceeds.

The following is a complete list of the Foundation's grant recipients:

Capital grants:

Brandywine Conservancy - $100,000 historic preservation,

Brandywine Scenic Byway Commission - $30,000 corridor management plan for scenic byway, Chadds Ford Historical Society $2344.25 - special event signage and $1088.50 - historic preservation

Chester County Historical Society - $50,000 - creation of new gallery space

Jenkins Arboretum - $100,000 expansion of the education center

Paoli Memorial Association - $4000 improvement of park grounds

Phoenixville Area Economic Development Council - $20,000 visitors center in Phoenixville, Tredyffrin Township - $25,000 development of a local history display

West Chester Railroad Heritage Association - $4500 new railroad ties

West Chester University - $ 15,000 performing arts center.

Event grants:

Brandywine Ballet - $5000 production of The Nutcracker

People’s Light and Theatre $10,000 production of Splittin the Raft.

Marketing grants:

Association for the Colonial Theatre - $3500 website re-design

Coatesville Area Arts Alliance - $2500 promotion of "Vanity Fare”, a business and arts expo

Natural Land's Trust - $5000 outdoor recreation planning for the Stroud Preserve

West Chester Business Improvement District - $10,000 promotion of West Chester as a dining and shopping destination.

 

Bureau chat

The 2007 Brandywine Sampler coupon books have arrived.  They are available at the Chester County Visitors Center, just outside the gates of Longwood Gardens, and at our administrative offices in West Chester, 17 Wilmont Mews, Suite 400.  If you have any complete 2006 unsold booklets, you may exchange them at either location.  If you need new 2007 booklets they may also be purchased at either location for $27.00 per booklet. If you have any questions about this hotel and sightseeing package, please contact Jan Reeps, Director of Membership/Visitors Center Director at 610-719-1730 or Jan@cccvb.org.
The new Brandywine Sampler coupon book featuring tickets to eight area attractions and discounts to restaurants and retail establishments.
Jesse Walters, President, Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, recently met with the President of Interface Tourism, Gael de La Porte Du Theil.  Interface Tourism is the company that represents Pennsylvania, as a tourism destination, in France.  Jesse also met with a new contact from Interface, Isabelle Trotzier.  While they were here, Jesse hosted them for lunch and showcased highlights of Chester County. There has been a flurry of activity in the international tourism market of late; Jesse recently visited the United Kingdom to promote Philadelphia and The Countryside at World Travel Market, a Spanish television film crew recently filmed a travel documentary in the Brandywine Valley and an Irish travel writer toured the area in November. 
 
Member in the spotlight

 

 

 

 

ÉClat

Christopher Curtin began his journey to become a master chocolatier two decades ago.He worked among the best pastry chefs in Europe at the Companion du Devior, before becoming the first American to be awarded the honor of German Master Pastry Chef in Cologne, Germany. Christopher then worked with the world's premier chocolate makers, learning their secrets and techniques.  Today Chris is proud to share his delicious artistic technique through Éclat Chocolate located at 24 South High Street in West Chester and at Fork Etc., 308 Market Street in Philadelphia.Christopher's creations have been featured in Food and Wine and the upcoming February issue of Vogue.

Christopher Curtin,Éclat Chocolate

24 S. High Street, West Chester, PA

610-692-5206  Eclatchocolate.com

His miniature likeness of King Tut, in edible gold leaf, graced press parties for the exhibition's opening.These unique chocolates are available by special order ($14.00 for a box of 2), contact the store for more information about these and all the delicious Éclat Chocolates.

The Month that was
New & renewing members
December 2006 - Visitors Center
Phone Calls 353
Walk-Ins 663
Visitor Kits Sent 1307
Web site Unique Visits 10,199 *
Brandywine Sampler Packages Sold 152 *
TravelHero Hotel Reservations Made 4
* Record high for December
November 2006 - Hotel Performance
Hotel Average Daily Rate (November) $108.26 **
Hotel Occ (November) 70.7%
** Record high for November
New Members

Jenners Pond Retirement Community

Service
Rusty Gate Antiques Retail
Sweetwater Farm Bed & Breakfast Lodging
   
Renewing Members
Berwyn Veterans Memorial Non-profit
Coatesville Christmas Parade Event
East Vincent Historical Preservation Non-profit
Farmhouse Restaurant Restaurant
Faunbrook Bed & Breakfast Lodging
Friends of Historic Waynesborough Non-profit
Great Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce Business
Great Valley Nature Center Non-profit
Hampton Inn, Exton Lodging
King of Prussia Mall Retail
Manny Hattans Restaurant Restaurant
Microtel Inn & Suites Lodging
Society of Diplomacy Service
VIP Magazine Publication
Weichert Relocation Service
Yankee Barn Homes Business
Total Members - 349
Same month last year - 342

5 Events in the next 30 days

 

Through January 7, 2007 - Brandywine River Museum - A Brandywine Christmas

Winter Weekends for families begins January 27. 610-388-2700.

Through January 7, 2007 - Longwood Gardens Christmas. Welcome Spring begins January 20. 610-388-1000

Through January 7, 2007 - Winterthur Yuletide. 302-888-4600

January 14 - Pottstown Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Recital, Bechtel-Butler Duet. Emmanuel Lutheran Church. 3PM. $10 Admission. 610-32-MUSIC.

January 18- February 11- People's Light and Theatre presents Anne of Green Gables

Box office: 610-644-3500.


For more information on Chester County, please visit our web site www.brandywinevalley.com
Click Here for Staff, Directors & Contact Information

Copyrights 2003-2006 Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau, All rights reserved.