2024 Discover Central New Jersey Tourism Conference – Princeton, New Jersey
The meeting focused on promoting Central Jersey tourism, emphasizing agritourism, heritage tourism, and ecotourism as key pillars. Attendees discussed strategies to boost leisure travel, address uneven post-pandemic recovery, and prepare for the U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026.
Jamie Volkert from Mercer County Tourism gave an overview of county actions including developing interactive websites, launching a passport program, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to highlight untold historical stories and regional assets.
Discussions included promoting the FIFA World Cup 2026, leveraging international partnerships, and enhancing visitor experiences through agritourism and historical events. Challenges such as rising costs and weather impacts were noted. Collaboration among stakeholders and community engagement were emphasized as priorities.
George and Martha Washington made a cameo appearance. They shared about the 10 Crucial Days and how New Jersey contributes greatly to the Revolutionary War effort.
A vision for the 250th was presented with New Jersey helping to engage “Americans in the history of the Revolution and invigorating it’s implications for today.”
As the gathering wrapped up there was discussion about funding and impact for Central New Jersey. Major funders were recognized including Visit New Jersey, Mercer County, Experience Princeton, Love Flemington, and Middlesex County Culture.
The impact of Visit New Jersey funding was shared with 2.3 million impressions on Facebook and Instagram, 164,000 website page views from 68,000 users, and a shift in statewide marketing from the shore to Central New Jersey, Agri tourism, and history.
The Victory Towns of the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route were highlighted. New Jersey has many of these. The March to Yorktown led to the final decisive battle that ended the war. Much like the Ten Crucial Days, New Jersey played an important part.
Another marketing possibility was presented with Central New Jersey as the Farm-to-Table Capital of the East. Early innovators work was highlighted including Alice Waters who was born in New Jersey and attended Rutgers before starting the Farm-to-Table movement in California. Terhune Orchards and the Momo Restaurant Group were also mentioned as early innovators.
Finally, the need for a focus on leisure tourism in the four counties of Central New Jersey was emphasized. Somerset, Hunterdon, and Mercer remain at the bottom of growth in tourism revenues from 2019 to 2023.
After the formal presentations wrapped up a reception.followed at the Chauncey Hotel lobby featuring beer, wine, and food from throughout the region.