(Corning, NY - February 3, 2006) Thirteen local events have been awarded funding totaling $16,500 from the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau. The Event Marketing Grant Program was initiated in 1996 by the Steuben County CVB to support and grow tourism events in Steuben County. The funding that's awarded must be used to promote the event outside the local area for the purpose of attracting new visitors to the county. Since the program's inception, the Steuben County CVB has awarded over $151,000 in funding to local events. Funding requests this year totaled $31,247.

Events receiving Steuben County CVB grant funding are:
· International Championship of High School A Cappella (March 25)
· 2006 Surprise of Fools Disc Golf Tournament (Mar 31 - Apr 2)
· Corning NY Glass Sale (Apr 8-9)
· Festival of Needle Arts (May 6-7)
· Finger Lakes Trifecta Bike Race Series (May 6, July 1, July 14)
· Westside Keuka Lake Winery Events
· Arkport Summerfest (July 7-9)
· American Red Cross "Reeling for Relief" Fishing Tournament (July 8-9)
· Art of Ferrari (Aug 31 - Sept 3)
· Wineglass Marathon (Oct 1)
· Christmas Arts & Crafts Festival (Nov 18-19)
· Childhood Memories Miniatures Show (Nov 25)
· 2007 Surprise of Fools Disc Golf Tournament (Mar 30 - Apr 1, 2007)

Terry Kelly, Chairman of the Event Grant Committee, said ""It was nice to see all the applications this year. The committee spent a lot of time reviewing each and every application in order to determine if all the criteria was met. In case you were not aware, the CVB offers a workshop which includes simple ways to strengthen the events and applications. We hope that each year we continue to have additional new requests."

Three of the events receiving grants this year are exciting new events for the area. The High School A Cappella Championship, the Disc Golf Tournament, and the Bike Race Series will attract new visitors to the area.

Information on these and other events in Steuben County can be found on www.CorningFingerLakes.com or by calling the Steuben County Conference & Visitors Bureau at 936- 6544.

In order to be eligible to receive a marketing grant from the SCCVB, the event must be held in Steuben County. Events seeking funding submit a grant application and a marketing plan detailing how the money will be used to promote their event. Applications are scored according to several factors such as the expected tourism attendance and the potential of the event for generating overnight stays. Funding is then awarded based on the score attained. The Steuben County CVB is a resource offering strategies and suggestions for successful marketing of an event. Events that receive funding are required to submit a final report to the CVB summarizing the success of the event.

The Steuben County Conference & Visitors Bureau was established in 1994 to promote the tourism industry of Steuben County and stimulate economic growth by attracting visitors, groups, and conferences to the county. The CVB is funded primarily by an occupancy tax paid by overnight visitors staying in hotels, motels, and bed & breakfasts. A portion of the annual CVB budget is dedicated to event promotion.