By Mike Bowman

On behalf of the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFTCB), I wanted to update you on how our organization is working to support our members, hotels, and industry partners through the difficult COVID-19 situation.

We are continuing to monitor developments, and have been staying in close communication with the Montgomery County Commissioners during these evolving circumstances.

Our team members are working with each other and clients to shift our focus to the community, and do whatever we can to support the tourism and hospitality businesses that need us most now. 

Communication is key, especially in such trying times, so we are also doing our best to stay updated on closures, and provide answers, and resources – such as the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Small Business Association – to members, hotels, and partners.

We are also monitoring the economic impact with health, government, and tourism officials across the region, and country, working on reforecasting our budget, and encouraging event, sport, and meeting planners to postpone, not cancel.

Making sure your voice is heard is crucial to ensure the tourism and hospitality industry is included in any coronavirus relief packages. Please submit an action alert as soon as possible.

The VFTCB is so proud to see how many of you are coming together to support each other, and we want to help get the word out about what you’re doing. Let us know by emailing dilello@valleyforge.org.

To do our part, we are once again partnering the Valley Forge Freedom from Hunger Food Drive with the MontCo-Anti Hunger Network to help keep hungry kids fed during the school shutdown since many rely on in-school meals for nutrition, and food.

The organization is also strategizing both sales and marketing tactics to put a recovery plan in place that’s ready to help once again drive overnight visitation back to the area once the economy rebounds, and people are able to return to work.

The VFTCB team is promoting our trail system, carry out and online gift card purchases at restaurants, and virtual content being offered by some attractions like Elmwood Park Zoo, Theatre Horizon, and the John James Audubon Center.

This is a difficult time for all of us, but we will get through this together. In the meantime, we’re still here to support you.

Thank you, be safe and well,

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Mike Bowman is President & CEO of Valley Forge Convention & Tourism Board. He can be reached via email at bowman@valleyforge.org.