15th Annual History Issues Convention |
The 15th Annual History Issues Convention was held on Friday, March 28, 2008 at the Trenton War Memorial with the theme, “New Jersey Heritage Tourism.” As New Jersey tourism has such a huge effect on the economy of the State, the convention offered sessions that targeted the need for collaborative efforts to reinforce marketing and networking in order to promote the state as a prime tourism destination.
Keynote Speaker
Nina Mitchell Wells, Esq., Secretary of the State of New Jersey, as keynote speaker, emphasized the theme with a backdrop of “Great Destinations in Any Direction,” pointing out that New Jersey tourists contribute between 430 to 580 million dollars annually to the economy. They tend to visit more, spend more time and ultimately spend more money. With over 6.4 million visitors who come to New Jersey historical venues alone throughout the state, more promotion is the key component in achieving nationwide attention. “Bring people in from all over the world through expanded websites, both national and international,” suggested Secretary Wells.
What is Heritage Tourism?
As defined by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, heritage tourism is “traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes cultural, historic and natural resources.”
Cate Livack, Chairperson of the Heritage Tourism Task Force, spoke of the purpose of the Task Force, which is to provide statistical direction for the promotion of tourism and conduct a statewide inventory of historical sites that have the potential to be heritage tourism destinations. Additional goals will establish signage and historic marker programs; promote coordination of historic sites throughout the state; and enhance the efforts of State, county and municipal government agencies to focus on heritage tourism.
“Identifying potential sources of stable funding for the improvement and maintenance of historic sites,” Ms. Livack stated, “and setting criteria for grants to be made from the License Plate Fund, can have a great economic impact on the tourism community.”
As a vital part of the mission of the Heritage Tourism Task Force, which has identified over 2,000 historic sites, they are asking for the public’s participation in the completion of a survey form identifying historic sites throughout the State of New Jersey. You can participate in this survey from the Task Force website at www.njht.org/dca/njht/touring.
Advocates for New Jersey History
The priorities for the Advocates for New Jersey History organization, as addressed by B. Michael Zuckerman, are
(a) the support of New Jersey public history services;
(b) the preservation of our historic resources;
(c) the promotion of cultural and heritage tourism;
(d) the development and support of New Jersey’s state-owned historic sites;
(e) educating our children about New Jersey;
(f) supporting the preservation and development of public history collections.
“These priorities are in jeopardy due to the State’s fiscal crisis and budget cuts,” stated Mr. Zuckerman. “Legislators will decide which programs will be cut.” Advocates for New Jersey History are raising public awareness as to how these budget cuts will affect grants, staffing, and tourism services. For more information and how to support the Advocates for New Jersey, go to www.njhistoryadvocates.org or www.artpridenj.com
Award Presentations
Political leaders and private citizens were recognized in the following categories:
Maureen Ogden Award: Joe and Anne Salvatore
Dwyer Award: H-New-Jersey listserv
Government Leadership Award:
Senator Bill Baroni (R)
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D)
Gail Stern Award: Anna Aschkenes
Award for Teaching About New Jersey: Cortney Stephenson
Paul Stellhorn Award: John Rocco Calabro
Workshop Presentations
Workshops offered for the convention participants were conducted by the following:
Inventory of New Jersey Heritage Tourism Attractions
John Seitter, South Jersey Tourism Corporation
Brian Tyrrell, NJ Center for Hospitality & Tourism, Stockton College
Networking Historic Sites
Nancy Zerbe, ARCH2 consulting firm
Barbara Fuller, Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs
Cynthia Lambert, South Jersey Cultural Alliance
Allen Sachse, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
Historic Markers & Wayfinding Signage
Marc Mapen, New Jersey Historical Commission
Karen Hatcher, Celebrate New Jersey
Deborah Kelly & Ellen Schultz, Preservation Partners
Marketing & Promotion
B. Michael Zuckerman, Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts
Leslie Bensley, Morris County Visitors’ Center
Phyllis Oppenheimer, NJ Division of Travel & Tourism
Elizabeth A. Fleming
Travel Writer
