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MetroWest Tourism & Visitors Bureau to Launch at December 9 Breakfast

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Legislators, municipal officials, and business and nonprofit leaders will gather to launch the MetroWest Tourism & Visitors Bureau (MWTVB), a new regional economic development initiative serving 19 towns, at a kick-off breakfast on Friday, December 9 at the Sheraton Framingham.

Senator Karen E. Spilka will welcome attendees to the breakfast, which will be an opportunity for attendees to help shape the MWTVB’s services to meet the needs of their businesses and civic, cultural, and recreational programs. In addition, Betsy Wall, director of the Mass Office of Travel & Tourism, will explain how other tourism bureaus in Massachusetts have generated economic activity not just for the hospitality industry, but for a variety of nonprofit and for-profit businesses.

The event begins at 7:45 with a continental breakfast; the program runs 8:15-10am.

An independent, nonprofit organization, the MWTVB was designated as the area’s first Regional Tourism Council (RTC) in a piece of economic development legislation proposed by Senator Spilka early in 2011.

As an RTC, the MWTVB will be marketing the many cultural, recreational, dining, retail, and lodging opportunities in the MetroWest region. It is working not only to attract travelers to the area, but to guide local residents looking for a service, family activity, fantastic meal, cultural experience, getaway, and more.

At the infrastructure level, real estate, financial services, transportation, and state and municipal governments stand to gain enhanced levels of business and tax revenue from MWTVB’s efforts to attract more people to MetroWest and to encourage MetroWest residents to find what they need close to home.

“The MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau will work to showcase the amazing opportunities this important economic region has to offer, making it even more competitive and attractive to many different industries while stimulating economic growth throughout the area,” said Spilka, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

The legislation defines MetroWest as Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westborough.

As an RTC, the organization is eligible for state funding through the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT). The state funds, to be allocated towards marketing projects, represent a significant accomplishment for MetroWest. Previously, a portion of room taxes paid at MetroWest hotels were allocated to the Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau. Now, MOTT grants a portion of those hotel taxes to the MWTVB .

A collaborative effort, the MWTVB grew out of four years of discussion by a Creative Economy Task Force, spearheaded by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce. The organization’s Founding Board of Directors now includes the heads of four area Chambers of Commerce (Corridor 9 Area, MetroWest, Milford Area, and Marlborough Regional) as well as representatives of major attractions, the hospitality industry, higher education, and historical and cultural nonprofit organizations.

Middlesex Savings Bank is the organization’s premiere Founding Sponsor. Additional sponsors for the founding year include Mirick O’Connell Attorneys-at-Law, Foundation for MetroWest, Avidia Bank, Marlborough Regional Community Foundation, and the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

There is no charge for the breakfast, but registration is required. To attend, please contact Susan Nicholl, MWTVB Executive Director, at susan@metrowestvisitors.org or 508-361-9881 .