Discover Prince William & Manassas, the area’s tourism marketing agency, received another award last week for its work on last year’s 150th commemoration of the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run.
On May 22, the four-day commemoration entitled “The Moment that Changed America” was named Destination Event of the Year for 2011 by the Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (VACVB). Discover Prince William & Manassas marketed the July 21-24 commemoration as well as planned and managed its two-day reenactment.
“We are thrilled to receive more accolades for this momentous event that will be talked about for decades to come,” said Discover Prince William & Manassas Executive Director Ann Marie Maher, who accepted the award in Hampton, VA. “This event brought history to life and significantly elevated our status as a Civil War history tourism destination.”
The commemoration, which was up against 2011 events from across the Commonwealth for this award, drew close to 30,000 people including 8,000 reenactors and representatives from more than 300 media outlets. It generated an estimated $20 million in direct visitor economic impact and helped increase visitation at attractions across the community.
The VACVB is just one of several organizations that has recognized this significant event and the hard work and dedication that went into making it happen.
Last fall Discover Prince William & Manassas received three awards from the International Festivals and Events Association for its marketing campaign on the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas/Bull Run.
In March the event received two awards from The Greater Washington, D.C. Chapter of the International Special Events Society.
Discover Prince William & Manassas is the Convention and Visitors Bureau marketing Prince William County and Manassas, Virginia as a destination for leisure and business travelers, group tours, conferences, meetings and events.
Written by Jennifer Buske of Discover Prince William and Manassas.
Photo supplied by Discover Prince William and Manassas.
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