6-19-2008

Mineola, NY – Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today announced the launch of a comprehensive advertising, promotion and event marketing campaign, designed to attract tourists to Nassau County from the metropolitan area and beyond, and to encourage residents to make greater use of the County's resources.

The campaign positions Nassau County as "The Island Next Door," emphasizing its proximity, in an environment of high gasoline prices, a tight economy and expensive air travel. "What other place in the United States has the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, first-class restaurants, top-notch museums and parks, and world-class golf and shopping, just minutes from the world's greatest city?" Suozzi said. "Nassau County has always been known as a great place to live. Now, we're showing people that we're also a great place to visit."

"Short-term," Suozzi said, "we expect this program to increase revenues for the County and for our businesses. Long-term, we're going to create a strong and clear 'brand' for Nassau County that will portray us as the fantastic place we are to live, work and play."

The campaign is launching with a travel guide in this Sunday's New York Times, headlined "Aloha, Baby," that pictures a surfer catching a wave off the Manhattan skyline. It highlights attractions including Nickerson and Jones beaches, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, the Gold Coast mansions, Sagamore Hill, Belmont Park, Museum Row, Roosevelt Field Mall, Freeport's Nautical Mile and Manhasset's 'Miracle Mile.' It also features five high-value hotel packages from the Long Island Marriott, the Glen Cove Mansion, the Garden City Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton-Plainview.

Early next month, radio advertising will begin running weekends on some six area radio stations.

Additional print advertising will run in area newspapers. Also next month, the County will establish a website, providing tourists with comprehensive information about County attractions, resources and businesses, and with links to beaches, restaurants, hotels, sporting events and museums.

In early July, Nassau County will conduct a "casting call" for residents who are experts in activities including surfing, golf, fishing, biking, hospitality, bargain-hunting and restaurants, to serve as online ambassadors, and as spokespeople for the tourism initiative.

The campaign brings to life a commitment Suozzi made in his State of The County address to showcase County resources and to attract tourism in the area.

The tourism initiative is being managed by Regina Zara and Mary Dolan-Grippo, experienced tourism marketing executives recruited this winter by the Industrial Development Agency. The campaign has been created by Blue Wolf Communications whose principals, Stan Bratskeir and Matt Harris, have developed national advertising and public relations programs for brands including Burger King, Perrier, General Motors, Coca-Cola, Jello, Adidas, Hasbro, Pepsico and Chiquita Banana.

Suozzi Unveils Campaign Promoting Nassau County Tourism

Nassau: 'The Island Next Door'