Every little bit helps (from the Ithaca Journal):
Event offers $500K boost to Ithaca economy
Educators, school workers get week of discounts, parties
6:53 PM, Jan. 2, 2012
Written by
Staff reporter
ITHACA -- Winter Recess, a festival for public school educators, is expected to add a half-million dollars to the economy when it returns to Ithaca, Feb. 17-26.
An economic impact analysis by the Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau showed that the festival generated $487,000 in economic activity in 2011, according to a news release from the bureau. Fred Bonn, bureau director, said the fifth annual event should exceed $500,000 this year.
"We have more businesses involved, we expect greater attendance and the economy is finally on our side," Bonn said in a statement. "We're looking forward to our biggest year yet, which should put us over $500,000 in economic impact."
Winter Recess offers public school employees and their families a week of events, parties and discounts throughout the Ithaca area. More than 200 local businesses and organizations participate, offering discounts on dining, lodging, shopping, spas, wine tasting, entertainment and activities, according to the news release. Organizers said they expect more than 5,000 people to attend this year, following last year's attendance of 4,100 people from 15 states.
New this year is a promotional giveaway that will award a teacher an Apple iPad, along with $1,000 worth of classroom supplies. The giveaway is sponsored by Verizon Wireless, the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education and Staples. The online drawing begins Jan. 9.
Winter Recess is open to pre-K-12 teachers, retired teachers and school district employees. Registration is free. Details and iPad giveaway entry forms are online at IthacaLovesTeachers.com.
"Our community is built on education, so an event that thanks teachers is a natural for us," Bonn said in a statement. "It gives us a chance to acknowledge teachers for all they do and it allows us to show off our community. It's a case where a whole community can 'do good' and do 'well' at the same time."
Here's the link:
http://www.theithacajournal.com/arti...Ithaca-economy
