PRESS CONFERENCE: CULTURAL EQUITY IN TOURISM BILL
MEDIA ADVISORY
MASSCREATIVE CO-HOSTING LEGISLATIVE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH SENATOR JAKE OLIVEIRA AND REPRESENTATIVE PATRICIA DUFFY
WHEN: Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 at 11:00 AM
WHERE: The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning
33 South Street, Chicopee, MA 01013
PARKING: Parking is available at the restored rectory on top of South Street by Elms College. The main entrance for The Polish Center is located at the addition to the rectory.
WHAT: MASSCreative, Senator Jake Oliveira, and Representative Pat Duffy invite you to join them for a press conference to publicly launch H.3244/S2194: An Act establishing a program to increase cultural equity in tourism promotion and marketing on Tuesday, July 11th at 11am in Chicopee, MA. The event is open to the public.
Before the pandemic, tourism was the third-largest industry in Massachusetts. In 2020, spending by domestic and international visitors totaled $10 billion. Throughout Massachusetts, there are amazing
and impactful historical sites, arts organizations, and cultural events that elevate the diversity and
vibrancy of our Commonwealth.
H.3244/S.2194 would establish a grant program within the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to support tourism marketing and promotional expenses for arts and cultural organizations and prioritize amplifying the stories of historically marginalized or underrepresented cultures. By increasing local and regional tourism to more culturally diverse spaces and events, Massachusetts can support economic vitality for everyone.
“Massachusetts is filled with hidden artistic gems and rich historical sites that tell the stories of our diverse communities. Many of our cultural assets can't effectively market themselves to regional and national visitors because they don't have the marketing or promotional resources, leaving them at a disadvantage. The Cultural Equity in Tourism bill addresses this problem by directly supporting the marketing needs of these cultural groups.” - Emily Ruddock, Executive Director at MASSCreative
Additional speakers include the Executive Artistic Director of the MIFA Victory Theatre, Donald Sanders,
and Kenneth Lemanski, former state representative from Chicopee and board member of The Polish Center.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Register for the press conference HERE.
See the bill fact sheet HERE.
Contact information for the press conference:
Kelsey Rode
Director of External Relations, MASSCreative
krode@mass-creative.org
413-206-6451
