NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
20 November 2003

CITY SPECIAL EVENTS SPONSORSHIPS NOW BEING SOUGHT; SIGNIFICANT MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OFFER

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that the City of Harrisburg’s 2004 Corporate Event Sponsorship book is now available for review by local businesses interested in partnering with the city on its many annual special events and other recreational programming. The book lists the many different events annually produced by the city and the various sponsorship levels and opportunities being offered.

The city’s efforts are bolstered by the fact that, in 2003, special event attendance has reached 2.3 million, an increase over the previous year and a new record.

First begun by the Mayor in 1984, Harrisburg’s special events calendar has now grown to include nearly 200 annual events presented by the city or its affiliates. The events range from such major holiday celebrations as the Kipona Festival and the American MusicFest, to smaller, more distinct events like the Italian Lake Concert Series, Black History Showcase, and much more.

Reed said the city’s special events have become a major draw for tourists and visitors from throughout the Greater Harrisburg Region, as well as from the Mid- Atlantic United States. Attendance numbers have increased each year and potential sponsors get significant exposure for relatively low cost, much cheaper than some other forms of marketing.

“Corporate partnerships are an essential ingredient of our special events and recreational programming,” said Mayor Reed. “They literally provide benefit to hundreds of thousands of citizens and visitors from throughout the region each year. Our events and programs are unique and distinctive, and they provide opportunities to directly reach the consumers that companies need to thrive and be successful. Partnering with the City is a win-win circumstance for the businesses involved, as well as for the citizens who attend or participate.”

The Mayor said city event and program sponsorships are extremely varied and can be tailored to fit almost any budget. Partnership amounts range from $1,500 for a free public concert sponsorship to $50,000 for the entitlement rights to the American Musicfest Fireworks display over the July Fourth Holiday weekend.

Reed said the city has for many years been able to expand and enhance its special events and recreational programming through the active solicitation of corporate sponsors, which has helped to avoid a reliance upon scarce tax dollars for support.

The Mayor noted that this year’s Corporate Events Sponsorship Book has been redesigned to make it easier to read and provide more specific demographic information about the types of audiences and marketing opportunities available. There are more event photos, including many that portray how sponsors can achieve exposure from their involvement. The book has a consistent layout and is in comprehensive chronological order to help readers understand each event’s distinct market and timing. Except for printing, the book was produced entirely in-house by city Special Events Director Glenn White.

Reed said interested business partners can contact the Harrisburg Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) at 717.255.3020 during normal business day hours to obtain a copy of the Corporate Event Sponsorship Book. The entire publication is also online in a downloadable format from DPR at the city’s website, www.harrisburgpa.gov.

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