‘Holidays in Princeton’ campaign seeks to attract more visitors

Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau formally launches initiative

By: Lauren Otis
   With the festively adorned rooms of Morven Museum providing a backdrop, the Princeton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau formally announced the launch of its second annual "Holidays in Princeton" initiative Monday.
   "Everything is right here for the holidays," said Karen Jezierny, chairman of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the Holidays in Princeton initiative through its convention and visitors bureau.
   "I am spoiled. I get to live and work and shop and play in Princeton," said Ms. Jezierny, who is director of public affairs at Princeton University.
   The Holidays in Princeton effort is important for Princeton’s cultural and business community because it gives visitors from beyond the immediate community a resource for learning about holiday events and other area resources, Ms. Jezierny said.
   Through its Web site — www.holidaysinprinceton.com — the initiative posts a calendar listing holiday events in the area through the new year and other resources and promotions for holiday visitors.
   "The real purpose of the Holidays in Princeton is to promote awareness within a 50- to 60-mile radius, of the artistic, cultural and historic resources in the community, as well as the hotels, shops, inns and eateries," said Karen Colimore, president and chief executive officer of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
   "That is really what we are all about, showcasing what we have for all the visitors," said Lori Rabon, general manager of the Nassau Inn and chairwoman of the convention and visitors bureau. This includes everything from holiday exhibits and events such as the Festival of Trees at Morven Museum and Garden and holiday tours of Drumthwacket, to seasonal concerts at Westminster Choir College and McCarter Theatre, to holiday promotions and shopping events by local stores, and holiday meals and packages sponsored by local restaurants and hotels, Ms. Rabon said.
   Amtrak has donated $10,000 worth of ad space to Princeton’s seasonal promotional effort, Ms. Rabon said, with Holidays in Princeton banners hanging in Penn Station in New York City and 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, as well as smaller ads at Northeast Corridor stations, ticket promotions for travel to the Princeton area, and mentions in Amtrak’s magazine.
   "This is such a great initiative for borough merchants," said Kathie Morolda, president of the Borough Merchants for Princeton and owner of Cranbury Station Gallery on Palmer Square. Merchants downtown are able to plan and coordinate their own holiday promotions better through the central resource on events and other happenings Holidays in Princeton provides, she said. "Thank you so much for letting us be a part of this," Ms. Morolda said.
   Jim Moore, director of performance management at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, noted how the school has been putting on holiday music programs for 20 years, which have grown over the years.
   "We are pleased to play a significant role in the Holidays in Princeton initiative," Mr. Moore said.
   The Holidays in Princeton marketing initiative runs through Jan. 6 and is supported by a grant from the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission, and by support from other sponsors, including Amtrak, AmeriSuites, Westminster Choir College of Rider University, the Borough Merchants for Princeton, Homewood Suites, Janssen L.P., Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Palmer Square Management, the Mercer County Office of Economic Opportunity, Morven Museum and Gardens, Nassau Inn and Terra Momo Restaurant Group.