STARK COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS' BUREAU
MARCH 2022 CVBuzz
Hot Off the Press!
The 2022 Official Travel Guide has arrived! We encourage our tourism partners to display the Travel Guide in prominent locations at their businesses.

Please email Carole Camarata, Guest Services & Administrative Coordinator, to request guides for your business to display.

NEW STAFF AT VISIT CANTON
Wil Brienza (L) and Zita Blile (R)
Welcome to the Team!
Visit Canton has grown! Introducing two new staff members, Zita and Wil.

Zita Blile, Sports Sales & Service Coordinator
Zita is a graduate of Kent State University where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Sport Management. She resides in North Canton with her husband John, dog Bailey, and cat Penelope.

Willis Brienza, Creative Coordinator
Wil is a graduate of the University of Mount Union where he studied Marketing and Sport Business. He resides in Alliance with his fiancé and their three dogs.
MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
Ohio Magazine Co-Ops
Are you looking for affordable ways to advertise? Co-op programs with Ohio Magazine begin at just $275!

Ohio Magazine | Print Co-Op
Reach the Ohio Magazine readership of 163,000 energetic and involved Ohioans! Great Lakes Publishing will handle all of the layout and creative with your photos and brand assets!

Partner investment starts at only $275 per issue. More Information...

Available Issues:
May - Three Spaces Available
June - Four Spaces Available
July/August *This issue will have a Stark County Feature* Two Spaces Available
September/October - Four Spaces Available
Ohio Magazine | Facebook Co-Op
Reach the Ohio Magazine audience on Facebook through the co-op partnership with Visit Canton. Leverage the combined buying power of Visit Canton and Stark County tourism partners, providing optimal results for a fraction of the cost. 

Partner investment is $550 per 2-month segment ($275 per month). More Information...

Available for 2-Month Campaigns:
May/June - SOLD OUT
July/August - SOLD OUT
September/October - Two Spots Available
November/December - Two Spots Available

*If you are interested in being a part of one of the sold-out options, please contact Nichole Cardinale. A waitlist will be created to start a second campaign if there is interest.
Contact Nichole Carindale to reserve your space!

Nichole Cardinale
Account Manager, Great Lakes Publishing
Direct: (330) 265-8665
CULTURAL TOURISM GRANTS AWARDED
$124,964 Awarded in Stark County
$124,964 in Cultural Tourism Grants have been awarded in cycle one to 16 different Stark County organizations. Grants were awarded for the purpose of generating increased visitation and economic impact for the region through the support of arts and culture events and marketing initiatives. Applicants could apply for up to $20,000 for each approved marketing or event initiative to be completed by December 31, 2022.
Grant Recipients Include: 720 Market - Alliance Area Preservation Society/Haines House - Canton Ballet - Canton Greek Fest - Canton Museum of Art - Canton Palace Theatre - Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce - Canton Symphony Orchestra - EN-RICH-MENT - Hartville Marketplace & Flea Market - Massillon Museum - Mother Angelica Museum - Sing Stark - Spring Hill Historic Home - The Wilderness Center - TNT Marketing LLC
Cycle Two Applications Open in June

Cultural Tourism Grant applications will re-open from June 1 - July 1. All projects must be completed by December 31, 2022. Click here for more information.
ODNR OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS
ODNR Opens Grant Opportunities for Outdoor Recreation Funding

Interest in outdoor activities shows no signs of slowing down, and Ohio offers what travelers are seeking! Ohio has an abundance of trails, outdoor recreational areas and pristine areas filled with natural splendor. Investing in outdoor activities is more important than ever to continue the momentum of getting people outdoors!

The Clean Ohio Trail Fund provides funding for land acquisition for new trails and connecting trails. The deadline is April 15, 2022.

The Recreational Trails Program provides funding for urban trail linkages, trail head and trailside facilities; maintenance of existing trails; restoration of trail areas damaged by usage; improving access for people with disabilities; acquisition of easements and property; development and construction of new trails; purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment; environment and safety education programs related to trails. The deadline is April 15, 2022. 

Storybook Trails Funding will also be available this year. The deadline is June 15, 2022. Applications are not available yet, but the link to the 2021 application is available so you can get a sense of the requirements. 

Natureworks funding can be used for the acquisition, development, and rehabilitation of recreational areas. The deadline is June 1, 2022.
PARTNER EXTRANET
The Visit Canton Partner Extranet has new features and files just for you! Log in to check out the new information we have listed for our industry partners!

  • Leads Dashboard
  • Exclusive to partners who receive leads.
  • Partner Events & Emails
  • A list of upcoming partner events and email and CVBuzz archives.
  • Files & Reports
  • STR Reports, Free Benefits Checklist, Heartland Appointment Report, etc.
  • Marketing & Grants
  • Current Marketing and Grant Opportunities
  • Business & Event Listing
  • Guidelines on the business and event listings we accept.
  • How To Videos
  • Need a quick training? Check here!

Contact Laura Felberg at [email protected] if you need login assistance.
SALES TEAM ACTIVITIES
CMCA Showcase
The Christian Meetings & Conventions Association held their 2022 Showcase at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center on March 1-3. Mary Vlahos, Vice President of Sales, attended the event and completed 28 appointments! Sales leads will be sent soon.
UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS, CONFERENCES, & EVENTS
March 12 - 13 | Great Lakes Alliance Soccer Crossover Games 10U - 12U
Hall of Fame Village Sports Complex

March 18 - 20 | Great Lakes Alliance Soccer Boys NPL Showcase
Hall of Fame Village Sports Complex

March 26 -27 | Great Lakes Alliance Soccer Crossover Games 13U - 14U
Hall of Fame Village Sports Complex

April 1 - 3 | Great Lakes Alliance Showcase - Girls
Hall of Fame Village Sports Complex

April 11 | Canton Comic Book, Toy, & Nostalgia Convention
St. George Event Center

April 8 - 9| Great Lakes Regionals Gymnastics Championship
North Canton Hoover High School

April 9 - 10 | Great Lakes Alliance Showcase - Boys
Hall of Fame Village Sports Complex

April 21 - 22 | OCMA Dart Tournament
Canton Memorial Civic Center

April 22 - 24 | Great Lakes Alliance Spring Challenge
Hall of Fame Village Sports Complex

April 22 - 24 | Canton Hall of Fame Marathon
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

April 28 - May 1 | OCMA Pool Tournament
Canton Memorial Civic Center

April 30 | North South Classic
Paul Brown Tiger Stadium

Adventures in Northeast Ohio
May Meeting

Tuesday, May 3rd
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

MGM Northfield Park
10777 Northfield Rd., Northfield, OH 44067
HUMAN TRAFFICKING SEMINAR
Adventures in Northeast Ohio is offering a program on Human Trafficking presented by US Marshall Peter J. Elliott, from the Northern District of Ohio. We encourage our hotel partners and frontline staff from other sectors to attend the event.

$25 Per Person
Groups of 5+ for $20 Per Person

REGISTER BY APRIL 18
PARTNERS IN THE NEWS
Stark Parks has announced their new Executive Director and Deputy Director. The Stark County Board of Park Commissioners has named Dan Moeglin the new Executive Director of Stark Parks, and Derek Gordon accepted the newly created position of Deputy Director.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced The Class of 2022! They have also released a schedule change: the Enshrinement Ceremony will take place at 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 6th.

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at Hall of Fame Village will host the United States Football League (USFL) inaugural playoffs on Saturday, June 25 and the championship game will be played on Sunday, July 3.

Clay's Park Resort has joined the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park™ family. Exciting new attractions and accommodations will be coming soon to Clay's Resort Jellystone Park!

Allegiant Air has returned to the Akron-Canton Airport with direct flights to Savannah/Hilton Head, Tampa/St. Pete, Sarasota/Bradenton, and Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda. Also announced, new, nonstop service to Nashville, TN (BNA) and Hartford, CT (BDL) is on the horizon aboard Breeze Airways for late May and early June!
Restaurant
JOB LISTINGS
Visit Canton maintains job listings from our tourism industry partners on our website. Please share the opportunities with tourism professionals in your network. If you have jobs to add to our listing, please send info to [email protected].


MARCH eNEWS
Check out Visit Canton's March eNews for more information on spring break happenings and upcoming special events.