To: All News Directors and Interested Parties Contact: Amy Powers, Director

Date: August 22, 2003 207-310-0998

Coalition Applies for Marketing Funds through State Grant

The CruiseMaine Coalition has successfully applied for funding through the Maine Tourism Marketing Partnership Program.  The application requested $3,700.00 each from five of the eight tourism regions across the state.  The following regional partners were approached for funding; Southern Maine, Greater Portland and Casco Bay, the Mid-coast region, The Maine Highlands, and the Downeast Acadia Region.   Please remember to thank your Regional Tourism Commissioner for supporting the coalition’s future efforts! The grant request included $6,000.00 for the purchase of a new booth with an additional $12,000.00 for securing a larger display area at the show. 

At this time, the coalition intends to use the trade show booth every March for the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami. For the remainder of the year, the booth will be made available for the use of the regional partners. Matching funds totaling $18,500.00 are being solicited from stakeholders who will benefit from the growth of the cruise industry. 

The coalition has already secured the following matching funds totaling $6,100.00:

Maine Office of Tourism– Copies of Maine Invites You, cash equivalent of $1,200.00.

Destination Canada/New England- $1,200.00 towards a reception to be held at the trade show.

Maine Port Authority-$3,200.00 cash donation.

Pennisi & Company-$500.00 in kind donation of design/advertising/web services.

Our appreciation goes out to these business sponsors who I’m sure always seem to have a needy cause at hand and have chosen to support us. For those of you who would like to be a sponsor for the coalition’s efforts or are interested in a copy of the application please call or e-mail Amy.