Release Date: January 16,2024
Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau Announces 2024 Destination Development Grant Recipients
AKRON, OH (Jan. 16, 2024) – The Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau (ASCVB) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 Destination Development Grant Program. This year was the largest award year to date, with a total of $100,000 being awarded to 34 Summit County organizations, businesses and events.
The program is designed to assist qualifying tourism entities with efforts to enhance and increase tourism in Summit County, including projects that increase the tourism market share and grow the tourism industry. The goals of the program include 1.) Increase overnight stays in Akron/Summit County; 2.) Promote a positive image and increase the visibility of Akron/Summit County attractions; 3.) Increase expenditures by visitors to Akron/Summit County; 4.) Provide programs and activities beneficial to attracting additional tourists.
“We had tremendous interest for the Destination Development Grant, so determining this year’s recipients required an especially close review of each for adherence to the program criteria,” said Gregg Mervis, president & CEO of the ASCVB. “We’d like to thank all of this year’s applicants. By investing in our hospitality industry partners, we’re supporting their efforts to be innovative and drive more dollars into our vibrant visitor economy.”
2024 grantees include: Akron Art Museum, Akron Bicentennial, Akron Children’s Museum, Akron Civic Theatre, Akron History Center, Akron Marathon Race Series, Akron Pride Festival, Akron RubberDucks, Akron Zoo, ArtsNow, ART x LOVE, Better Kenmore, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Dirty River Bicycle Works, Downtown Akron Partnership, Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, Inspire Aviation, Just Us Line Dance Crew, Kaulig Companies Championship, Magical Theatre Company, Northside Marketplace, Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Paddle the River, Peninsula Heron Project, Rubber City Sports, Soap Box Derby, Summit Artspace, Summit County Fairgrounds, Summit County Historical Society, This Is BLK CLE, University of Akron, and Western Reserve Historical Society.
Along with meeting program goals, to be eligible to receive grant funding, projects need to meet certain criteria and fall within applicable categories. These categories include tourism marketing, tourism property and building improvements and sponsorship of an exhibit or event.
For additional information about the Destination Development Grant Program, please contact Stephanie Berry, VP of Marketing & Brand Management at sberry@visitakron-summit.org.
About the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Established in 1973 to promote Akron/Summit County as an ideal destination for business and leisure travel, the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau is the clearinghouse for area travel and tourism information.