May 2022
Dear MOTT Partners,
Between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, college graduations and the blossoming of spring, May is a busy month for our Massachusetts tourism community.
See updates below on MOTT’s TTR and DDC grant programs.
Our MA spotlight this month features Michele Cota, the newly appointed executive director of Discover New England (DNE), who brings experience and enthusiasm to her new role guiding this vital regional destination marketing group.
Also, a shout-out to our three new regional tourism council (RTC) leaders settling into their jobs: Peter Burke at Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, Carolina Cooney at Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and Nancy Gardella at North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Thank you as always for your valued partnership and here’s to a successful spring and summer tourism season in Massachusetts.
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MOTT Grant Opportunities
Travel and Tourism Season Extension (TTSE) Grant: Now Open
MOTT’s Travel and Tourism Season Extension (TTSE) Grant application deadline is May 16. Funded at $6 million by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency through the MA Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, this competitive marketing grant program will support regional projects that promote travel and tourism attractions in Massachusetts between the months of November through April, known as the shoulder season.
MOTT will issue grants in six regions to ensure geographic diversity across the Commonwealth. One organization per region will be chosen to administer the grant. Projects must be regional in nature and provide scope and budget between $600,000 and $1.2 million.
The six geographic tourism regions are comprised of the following Regional Tourism Councils (RTCs):
- Greater Boston: Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB)
- North of Boston: North of Boston CVB, Greater Merrimack Valley CVB
- South of Boston: SE Massachusetts CVB, See Plymouth
- Cape Cod and the Islands: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce
- Central MA: North Central MA, Discover Central MA, MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau
- Western MA: Greater Springfield CVB, Hampshire County Tourism and Visitors Bureau, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, 1Berkshire, and Mohawk Trail Association
Applications are due no later than May 16, 2022 at 5 p.m. Grant awards will be announced in June, 2022. For detailed TTSE Grant guidelines and eligibility requirements, see here. Please contact Jere Shea with any questions.
FY22 Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant II Program
MOTT received a strong response for the FY22 Destination Development Capital (DDC) Grant II Program with applications from across the Commonwealth, and grant application review is currently underway. Grant awards will be announced in June, 2022. Funded at $4 million through the Capital Budget and the Tourism Trust Fund, the competitive DDC Grant will award funds to strengthen the economy of Massachusetts through destination development projects that enhance tourism sustainability and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2023. Additional DDC guidelines and information is available here. Please contact Marc Zappulla with any questions.
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My Local Campaign Update
Congrats Grads!
Have you seen our May MassDOT billboard? With over 100 colleges and universities located right here in Massachusetts, we are proud of our local grads. Be sure to celebrate local by eating, shopping and staying local to keep our Massachusetts small businesses thriving! And please share your journeys on social media with #VisitMA #MyLocalMA.
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MA Spotlight
Michele Cota
New Hampshire native Michele Cota becomes the newly appointed executive director of Discover New England (DNE), a regional destination marketing organization representing the six New England states. We spoke to Michele about her new role at Discover New England.
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Industry News
Economic Development Legislation Filed
In April, the Baker-Polito Administration filed legislation to make $3.5 billion in investments, including projects to strengthen state infrastructure, create jobs and invest in all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Details here.
Peter Burke Selected to Lead Nantucket Chamber of Commerce
Peter Burke was recently named President & CEO for the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce. A former Nantucket Island resident, Peter worked for 14 years with Cisco Brewers and most recently as operating partner in their New Hampshire location. You can reach Peter at: [email protected].
National Travel and Tourism Week: May 1-7
National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) 2022 celebrates the #FutureOfTravel. This year’s theme underscores how the travel industry can restore the workforce, help communities recover, foster sustainability, usher in new innovations and reconnect travelers in the U.S. and around the world. Details at ustravel.org/NTTW.
National Small Business Week: May 1-7
The theme of this year’s National Small Business Week is Building a Better America through Entrepreneurship. The Massachusetts District Office, with offices in Boston and Springfield, has a robust schedule of workshops and small business events throughout May. Details here. Read Governor Baker’s Small Business Month in Massachusetts proclamation here.
Congratulations College Graduates
A toss of the cap to the tens of thousands of newly-minted college graduates in Massachusetts this spring! Here is a schedule of commencements taking place.
Call for Photography
MOTT is always on the lookout for year-round stunning tourism photography of Massachusetts to share on our social sites. If you would like to submit some of your favorite royalty and copyright free images, especially pictures featuring safety protocols such as masked employees/customers and social-distancing, please send to Phyllis M. Cahaly for consideration. Please include the name of the photo, the location (city/town) and the photography credit.
Regional Tourism Council Bulletin
The May issue of the RTC’s monthly bulletin is available to read here.
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MOTT Opportunities
Media Outreach
MOTT is preparing its media outreach for summer activities. Please contact Michael Quinlin to share ideas or to get more details.
Listings: ‘50 Great Things to do Under $50’
We’d love to list your special deal in MOTT’s ’50 Under $50’ program. To join, the offer must be under $50 (so up to $49.99, tax included) and cover BOTH CATEGORIES: 1.) admission for two adults and 2.) admission for two adults with two children aged 12 and under and must be available for the entire two-month duration. We are currently preparing our July/August and September/October 2022 versions, so please send your submissions for consideration to Phyllis M. Cahaly.
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International Updates
JetBlue Confirms Boston-London Entry
JetBlue Airways is set to begin the first of two daily routes between Boston and London.
The airline’s long-awaited entry to the market will see it open a Boston Logan (BOS)-London Gatwick (LGW) route on July 19, followed by a nonstop service between the Boston and London Heathrow (LHR) on August 22.
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MA Film Office
Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival
May 18 – 22
For a schedule of film festivals in Massachusetts throughout the year, visit MAfilm.org/.
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MOTT Contacts
MA Office of Travel and Tourism staffers are working remotely. Please see contact information:
Phyllis Cahaly, Director of Partnership Marketing, [email protected]
Kevin Clang, Web Manager, [email protected]
Tony D’Agostino, Research Director, [email protected]
Daniela De Caro-Heavey, Special Projects Manager, [email protected]
Keiko Matsudo Orrall, Executive Director, [email protected]
Michael Quinlin, Dir., Commonwealth Marketing Office, [email protected]
Jere Shea, Director, Strategic Initiatives, [email protected]
Maria Speridakos, Director of International PR, [email protected]
Marc Zappulla, Grants Coordinator, [email protected]
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