MORGANTOWN — Ushering in a new season is giving the local convention and visitors’ bureau a new chance to entice visitors to the area.
That’s just what the Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau hope to do as the crispness of fall sets in. The CVB has dubbed its new campaign, Wild and WonderFall.
“When you look at the calendar, between holidays and other significant, competing events, September ends up being the perfect month for lots of entertainment in the Greater Morgantown area,” said Blaithe Tarley, strategic communications coordinator for the CVB.
The weather is typically mild, and there are several events the visitors’ center can promote throughout September and into October, Tarley said.
Here are some of the events the CVB is promoting during Wild and WonderFall:
WVU football, throughout the fall.
WVU Medicine Morgantown Marathon, Sept. 15-16.
West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival, Sept. 15-16.
Preston County Buckwheat Festival, Sept. 27-30.
WVU Fall Family Weekend, Sept. 28-30.
Arts Walk, Sept. 28.
Home Run and Hops Craft Beer Festival, Sept. 29.
And while there’s no way to say just how many people will visit the Morgantown area in September, she said an estimate from past ticket and capacity info shows more than 100,000 people could visit this month.
“According to Smith Travel Research (STR), during September 2017 each event resulted in more than $500,000 in additional lodging revenue, which is just one component of the positive economic impact events have on our tourism economy,” said Susan Riddle, executive director of the GMCVB.
As part of the Wild and WonderFall campaign, the visitors’ center is also doing giveaways to attract even more visitors.
“With excitement in the air due to a new year/semester for students, new season for Mountaineer Football, picturesque fall foliage, and crisp mountain air surrounding us, one can’t help but fall in love with the fall season in Greater Morgantown,” Tarley said.
