The race is on

Three major events are coming to this area in the next two years – the Formula One road race, WrestleMania, and the SuperBowl. On June 28, travel and tourism professionals from New York and North Jersey were invited to network and find out how to take advantage of local opportunities.
Meadowlands Liberty Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Judith Ross organized the event. She said the networking might lead to developing tourism packages that will attract visitors for all three events.

Main events

The internationally famous Formula One Grand Prix race will come to the area in 2013. Drivers will compete in the streets of West New York and Weehawken on a 3.2-mile course.
WrestleMania, an annual pay-per-view wrestling event, will make its way to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on Sunday April 7, 2013 for its 29th year.
SuperBowl 48 will take center stage at the MetLife Stadium on Feb. 2, 2014 so that it doesn’t conflict with the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Future prospects

PR & Online Marketing Manager Natasha Wright from Crystal Springs Resort, located in Hamburg, N.J, attended the event. She mentioned that the resort was already receiving calls from potential guests about the SuperBowl.
“We all have the same goal in mind, to bring travel and business into our area,” said Wright. “It’s really going to change the perception of the area and what we have to offer, that we’re not just smokestacks and the New Jersey Turnpike and the Parkway. We have a ton more to offer.”

_____________
“We’re not just smokestacks and the New Jersey Turnpike and the Parkway.” – Natasha Wright from Crystal Springs Resort
____________
Some companies offered activities at the event to increase publicity for their product. Pole Position Raceway gave away annual membership coupons to those who made it to the finish line of a mock track that was set up with toy cars. Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse had a football field goal post set up with an inflated balloon football. Whoever made the winning shots won a $100 gift card.
“Networking opportunities are a critical component of our tourism development program,” said Meadowlands Regional Chamber Chief Executive Officer Jim Kirkos.
“The reception brought synergy among New Jersey’s hospitality and tourism industry stakeholders from as far away as Crystal Springs in Sussex County to the Steel Pier in Atlantic City,” said New Jersey Tourism Representative Phyllis Oppenheimer. “Residents and businesses will all benefit from New Jersey’s future super events.”
“The events are great for the region,” said Hudson County Cultural Affairs and Tourism Director Bill LaRosa. “It’s not only how it will impact us short term but long term.”
He commended Wayne Hasenbalg of the NJSEA for doing a great job for the coming events. LaRosa believes that small business owners will also benefit from the events and that the events coming to New Jersey are going to make a huge impact.

Vanessa Cruz can be reached at vcruz@hudsonreporter.com