2019 ANNUAL REPORT

MORRIS COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU

Leadership’s Message

The Morris County Tourism Bureau had a tremendously productive year thanks to the support and collaborative spirit of our numerous partners. We continue to bring our members value by investing in a variety of marketing channels and products that engage the public and expand our collective reach. With our trademarked “Make my Weekend Morris County” branding, we have been able to develop meaningful and consistent campaigns that encourages new audiences to visit our impressive destinations, restaurants, hotels, recreational areas and cultural treasures. This creates long-term economic growth that benefits not only our 39 municipalities in Morris County, but also the State of New Jersey. We Dwill IcontinueR E C buildingT O R awareness' S in 2020 among our local residents, visitors and business travelers who seek to experience everything that makes Morris County exceptionalS T –A whichT E includesM E NeachT one of you!

Linda Coutts Snyder Leslie Bensley President Executive Director

Thanks to our Sponsors and Supporters Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism New Jersey Historical Commission NJM Insurance Jeanne and Joe Goryeb Glassworks Studio, Inc. NJJ UNaturalL I A F GasA R M E R J U L I A F A R M E R Normandy Partners The Washington Association of New Jersey Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center NJ Advance Media Morristown National Historical Park The Clark Robertson Fund Mr. & Mrs. Paige L’Hommedieu Mr & Mrs. Nelson Schaenen

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About Us

Who we are: Founded with the support of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders 21 years ago, we are a 501 (c) 6 non-profit membership organization with 272 active members from 15 municipalities.

What We Do: We provide our members with a wide variety of marketing and promotional tools, networking events, print and digital advertising on a variety of platforms and social media posts throughout the year. As a tourism organization, we provide visitors, from the day tourist to the business traveler to the local resident, with the resources to make sure their visit to Morris County is exceptional.

Why we believe Tourism Matters: We seek to ignite a spark of interest in the visitor to want to learn more about the rich history of our region. This enables them to come away from an experience with a sense of place. Our programs include a range of authentic experiences, from large group events, where people feel connected to their community, to more intimate tours and presentations where they can develop relationships.

Mission: The Morris County Tourism Bureau is a Destination Marketing Organization that positively affects the economy of Morris County whose mission is to promote the area’s exceptional historic, cultural and recreational opportunities by providing services to residents, business travelers and tourists.

What is the role of a Destination Marketing Organization? • To tell the destination’s story • To provide a platform for local stakeholders to benefit economically from increased visitation • To stimulate visitor spending • To inform private and public development decisions • To spearhead a consistent branding message for tourism partners

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The Value of Membership

MCTB is a dynamic community of businesses and organizations that work together to engage people in all there is to do and see in Morris County. This unified branding message creates a cohesive presence in the region and amplifies the value and impact of each individuals’ reach. In addition, our staff works closely with each member to help them succeed.

2019 Finances for Annual Report

2019 Funds Allocation $507,083

14%

14% Annual Membership Meeting Congratulations to tourism award winners of 201959% – Dave Helmer, Morris County Park Commission 13% and Jim Kutch of The Seeing Eye

FundingMarketing/Web Membership Programs Administration 2019 Finances for Annual Report

2019 Funds Allocation $507,083 2019 Income $507,083

2% 14% 9%

10% 32%

14% 2%

59% 13% 45%

NJ Travel & Tourism MC Freeholders Foundation Marketing/Web Membership Programs Administration Membership Individual/Advertising Program

2019 Income $507,083

2% Page 4 | 2019 Annual Report 9%

10% 32% 2%

45%

NJ Travel & Tourism MC Freeholders Foundation Membership Individual/Advertising Program

Tourism’s Economic Impact in Morris County

The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders issued a proclamation during National Tourism Week that called attention to the economic benefits of tourism in the county, especially through the efforts of the Morris County Tourism Bureau.

Tourism partners participating in NTW advocacy effort

“We are highlighting the positive effects of tourism on the county’s economy and our quality of life as well as our positive image across the state and nation as an important historic destination,” said Freeholder Darling. “Through the efforts of MCTB, we have welcomed visitors to walk in the footsteps of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, to visit the nation’s first National Historical Park and landmarks that tell the story of the Industrial Revolution, the Gilded Age and the American Arts & Crafts movement, among many others”.

Three young visitors from Denmark come to our office.

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Print Marketing

Arts & Culture

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Print Marketing

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Digital Marketing

Facebook ads HIGHLIGHTS: April 15-July 15, 2019 Of visitors drawn to the site by the facebook ads, 38% either Total Performance Data requested a visitor guide or signed Impressions Clicks (All) Unique Users Shares Post Reactions up for the newsletter, compared to Reached 3% of all site visitors. Of all the site’s information requests, 80% 364k 9,970 41,390 386 1,719 originated with facebook ads. IMPACT on morristourism.org We delivered more than 364k 377 visitor’s 622 visitor’s 2,665 sessions guide mail impressions with 2.8% resulting in guide downloads requests clicks, which is more than 3x the average. This, combined with 1,719 reactions shows us an 31 newsletter 2,339 users 61 hours on-site sign-ups engaged audience. The ads were shared 386 times, producing exponential exposure on those 80% of total visitor’s users’ timelines. 2,240 new users 4,423 page views guide requests and newsletter sign-ups The towns accounting for the most website visitors as a result of the facebook campaign were Ad Targeting: Parsippany-Troy Hills, Randolph, 15-mile radius of Morristown Wayne, Denville, Mount Olive, Age: 35+ or Parents of Children ages 1-8 Morristown and Newark. Interests: Outdoors, Culture, History, Events, Recreation Sources: Facebook Ads, Google Analytics

HIGHLIGHTS: Of visitors drawn to the site by the Facebook ads, 38% either requested a visitor guide or signed up for the newsletter, compared to 3% of all site visitors. Of all the site’s information requests, 80% originated with Facebook ads. We delivered more than 364k impressions with 2.8% resulting in clicks, which is more than 3x the average. This, combined with 1,719 reactions, shows us an engaged audience. The ads were shared 386 times, producing exponential exposure on those users’ timelines. The towns accounting for the most website visitors as a result of the facebook campaign were Parsippany-Troy Hills, Randolph, Wayne, Denville, Mount Olive, Morristown and Newark.

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Digital Marketing

Digital display ads HIGHLIGHTS: April 19 – July 18, 2019 Performance Data Over three months, the 7% 6% Month Impressions Clicks Click-through Rate campaign delivered more than 464k Apr-19 20,850 13 0.06% impressions, resulting May-19 164,081 124 0.08% Jun-19 204,748 203 0.10% Desktop 87% in more than 674 hours Jul-19 74,324 119 0.16% Smartphone the ad being on screen, Grand Total 464,003 459 0.10% Tablet visible to users.

Users clicking through 15,000 12,628 Top Towns’ Impressions 10,018 8,824 from display ads 10,000 7,651 7,457 7,297 6,913 6,253 6,225 5,877 5,707 5,402 5,333 5,204 5,046 4,974 registered 448 sessions 5,000 0 on morristourism.org, accounting for 685 page views and more than 8 hours of on-site activity.

Geographical targeting: 15-mile radius of Morristown

HIGHLIGHTS: Over three months, the campaign delivered more than 464k impressions, resulting in more than 674 hours of the ad being on screen, visible to users. Users clicking through from display ads registered 448 sessions on morristourism.org, accounting for 685 page views and more than 8 hours of on-site activity. Geographical targeting: 15-mile radius of Morristown

Social Media Followers

6,663 + 24% 3,057 +20% 1,339 +5%

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Morris County Tourism Bureau Members

ARTS & CULTURE Domo 7 Japanese Restaurant and Hibachi Cooper Gristmill 70 South Gallery, LLC Dublin Pub Crossroads of the American Revolution Artrider Productions Inc. Eclectic Grill, Hyatt Regency Florham Park Historical Preservation, Little Red School House Boonton Arts El Monte Coffee Roasters Fosterfields Historical Farm Centenary Stage Co. Fresco Mexican Hacklebarney Farms Cider Mill Coro Lirico George & Martha’s American Grille Hanover Township Landmark Commission - GK’S Red Dog Tavern DerpyCon Hancock Cemetery Grain House Restaurant/ Olde Mill Inn Hanover Wind Symphony Historic Speedwell Grasshopper Off The Green Harmonium Choral Society Jefferson Twp. Historical Society Hickory Sticks BBQ and Catering, LLC Kiwanis Club of Randolph/Morristown CraftMarket Macculloch Hall Historical Museum & Garden J. Emanuel Chocolatier Madison Arts & Culture Alliance Morris County Historical Society/Acorn Hall Jersey Girl Brewing Mayo Performing Arts Center Morris Plains Museum Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen Morris Arts Morristown National Historical Park Maria’s Cafe Morris Choral Society Mount Tabor Historical Society Market Taverne Morris County Arts Workshop at The Hive Museum of Early Trades and Crafts Minuteman Restaurant Morris County School Of Glass Museums at Drakesville Historic Park New York Pizza & Restaurante The Morris Museum Passaic River Coalition at Willow Hall Old Mill Tavern Morristown Festival of Books Ralston Cider Mill Origin Thai II New Jersey Ballet Red Mill Museum Piattino Neighborhood Bistro New Jersey Festival Orchestra Roxbury Historic Trust Redwoods Grill and Bar Restaurant Opera at Florham Schuyler-Hamilton House Rod’s Steak and Seafood Grille Paper Mill Playhouse Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms Ruth’s Chris Steak House Pax Amicus The Dover Area Historical Society Sally Lunn’s Tea Room Roxbury Arts Alliance Washington Association of NJ Smart World Coffee Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Whippany Railway Museum Sub Pub Speakeasy Art Gallery Willow Hall, Passaic River Coalition Stone Soup Symphony Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey The Auld Shebeen Irish Pub RECREATION The Concert Hall at Drew The Bernards Inn All Star Martial Arts The Folk Project The Blackhorse Tavern & Pub Alstede’s Farms The Growing Stage The Grand Cafe Art of Dance The Long Valley Pub & Brewery Bridge Marina The OFFICE Tavern Grill FOOD Chester Riding Club The Publick House Restaurant & Inn Alice’s Restaurant Crestmont Country Club The Sweet Spot Bake Shoppe Artist Baker Glassworks Studio, Inc. The Windlass Bella Pizza and Italian Deli Gran Fondo Garden State TOWN bar & kitchen Benito’s Trattoria Grow It Green Morristown Vanderbilt’s Sports & Spirits Bistecca, Embassy Suites Knoll Golf Club West & East 40 North Restaurant Group Black River Candy Shoppe Lake Hopatcong Adventure Company Blue Morel Restaurant and Wine Bar Lake Hopatcong Cruises LLC HISTORY Chef Fredy’s Table Lake Hopatcong Foundation Boonton Historical Society & Museum Cherries On Top Ice Cream Lake Hopatcong Golf Club Borough of Kinnelon L’Ecole Museum Chester Meat Market Morris County Park Commission Butler Museum Cuba Mia Morristown Game Vault LLC Canal Society of New Jersey Dean’s Natural Food Market Move In Grace

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Nitroflex Morristown Partnership Plant Detectives, Inc. NJ Audubon Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Morristown Women in Business Random Acts of Fresco North Jersey Aquatic Club New Jersey Highlands Coalition Rin Robyn Pools Pinot’s Palette New Jersey Hills Media Group Rows of Purl Seaton Hackney Stables Recorder Community Newspapers Smith’s ACE Hardware Stony Hill Gardens and Market Park Avenue Club/ Foundation Stained Glass Boutique Stony Hill Gardens, LLC PNC Bank The Bargain Box Totten Family Farm Portal of Healing The Maple Shop Township of Morris Recreation Provident Bank The Olive & The Stone Wightman Farms, Inc. Robert Lloyd Coutts & Sons, Insurors The Streets of Chester Shopping Center Savor and Stroll Winky’s Pet Boutique SERVICES St. Peter’s Episcopal Church BeneFIT Physical Therapy Team Dougherty Group-REMAX S TAY Bethel AME Church of Morristown Temple B’nai Or Best Western Plus Morristown Inn Black River Dental The Car Wash at Chester Cambria Hotel Blossoming into Light The Presbyterian Church in Morristown Courtyard by Marriott Hanover Boonton Main Street The Seeing Eye Embassy Suites, Parsippany Camp Six, Inc., The Trustees of the Morristown Green Hampton Inn Parsippany Cancer Hope Network The UPS Store Hanover Marriott Hotel Caristia Kulsar & Wade, LLC The Westmont Montessori School Hilton Garden Inn Carrera Couture Valley Bookkeeping Service LLC Hilton Parsippany CBRE, Inc. Park Avenue of Morris County Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ Holiday Inn, Parsippany Center for Anxiety & Behavioral Management Williams J Hocking American Legion Post91 Homewood Suites by Hilton Discovery Map of NJ Willow Tree Counseling Associates Hyatt House, Whippany E. Christopher and Sons Metalsmith Studio Women’s Association of Morristown Medical Hyatt House, Morristown Excel Urgent Care Hyatt Regency Morristown fatrabbit CREATIVE SHOP Neighbour House B&B Foundry8Budd 23 South Olde Mill Inn/ The Grain House Henderson and Neuberg A World of Birds Sheraton Parsippany Hotel Historic Chester Business Association Amanti Vino The Bernards Inn Investors Bank Antiques by Chester Crafts and Collectibles The Madison Hotel Jo-Ann Danzis Foundation Babydoll Beauty Boutique The Westin Governor Morris Keller Williams Metropolitan - Donna Coccio Boehs’ Cabinet Shop TownePlace Suites by Marriott Keller Williams - Gordon Crawford Carrera Couture Whistling Swan Inn Lake Hopatcong News Century 21 Department Store Wooden Duck B&B Landscape by Design Landscaping Chester Country Furnishings Wyndham Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Le Mirage Salon Chester Crafts & Collectibles Loyola Jesuit Center Chester Floral & Designs TOWN Maureen G. Nowak Photography EmbroidMe/Z Embroidery Inc. Borough of Chester Michael Elms Realtor -Remax Enjou Chocolat of Morristown Borough of Wharton Morris Animal Inn Gluten Free Gloriously The Township of Parsippany - Troy Hills Morris County Chamber of Commerce Jenn’s Mutt Hutt, Too. Town of Morristown Morris County Economic Development Just Jersey Washington Township - Long Valley Morris County Heritage Commission Lauren B., Inc. Morris County Library Main Lake Market TRANSPORTATION Morris County Trust for Historic Preservation Marty’s Reliable Cycle Morristown Airport, MMU Morristown & Morris Township Library Midnight Owl Morristown Parking Authority Morristown Beautiful, Inc. Penny Lane TransOptions, Inc. Morristown Medical Center Perfect Treasure

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MORRIS COUNTY TOURISM BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Chris Cannon, Owner Linda Coutts Snyder Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen Robert Lloyd Coutts & Sons, Insurors Joen Luy Ferrari Vice President Representative at Large David Helmer, Executive Director Morris County Park Commission Pastor Sidney Williams Pastor at Bethel Morristown (AME) Secretary Danielle Colombaris Dr. Cleveland Johnson, Executive Director Meeting Event Manager Morris Museum Martiz Travel at Novartis Amando Hernandez, Director of Sales & Treasurer Marketing, Hyatt Regency Morristown Daniel Callas, President TransOptions, Inc. Tom Werder, Executive Director Morris Arts Kurt W. Alstede, Owner Alstede Farms Ex Officio: Tom Ross, Superintendent Ed Kirchdoerffer, General Manager Morristown National Historical Park Mayo Performing Arts Center

Meghan Hunscher, President Morris County Chamber of Commerce Staff: Leslie Bensley, Executive Director Amy Curry, Executive Director Carol Anton, Membership Manager MC Historical Society/Acorn Hall Carol Barkin, Program Manager Jody Marcus, Assistant Director

MORRIS COUNTY

TOURISMEst. 1997 BUREAU 6 Court Street Morristown, NJ 07960

morristourism.org

973.631.5151