Grant Project Description:  Create a transportation incentive to entice and help planners place a meeting, event, reunion or sporting event in the Greater Wilmington area (New Castle County) that results in achieving the overall goal of generating $200,000 in estimated economic impact. **Please Note: Estimated Economic Impact Numbers are based on DMAI's (Destination Management Association International's) formula for our area which is: $266 in economic impact is generated per room night booked in our area.

Amount Available:  $20,000 in transportation assistance

The incentive is designed to:

• Offer $2,600 in travel assistance to eight different groups placing overnight business in the Greater Wilmington - New Castle County area
  OR
• Offer $5,000 in travel assistance to four different groups placing overnight business in the Greater Wilmington - New Castle County area
  OR
• $20,000 in travel assistance to one large group placing overnight business in the Greater Wilmington - New Castle County area

To be eligible, a planner must place an event that:

• Generates a minimum of 100 room nights to be eligible to receive $2,600 in transportation assistance
• Generates a minimum of 190 room nights to be eligible to receive $5,000 in transportation assistance
• Generates a minimum of 750 room nights to be eligible to receive the full $20,000 incentive

The incentive will encompass:  • Transporting attendees to and from the airport • Transporting attendees to and from the train station • Transporting attendees to an off-site event or attraction • Transporting attendees to a central meeting location from different hotels
• Transporting attendees to and from the area by bus

Stipulations: The planner must go to contract with a GWCVB member hotel between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 to be eligible to receive the transportation incentive. The actual event must take place between July 1, 2009 and May 15, 2011 to receive funding. A copy of the signed contract and transportation requirements must be received by the GWCVB. Once the above is received, the GWCVB will negotiate and set-up transportation arrangements with a GWCVB transportation provider. Funding is awarded on a first come-first serve basis based on the stipulations above and/or until all designated funds have been depleted. No funds will be released until after the event has occurred and actual generated room nights are verified. Any remaining balance not covered by the transportation incentive will be the responsibility of the planner who will be invoiced by the GWCVB accordingly.

Benefits of choosing the Greater Wilmington area for your next event…

• Located along I-95, midway between New York and Washington, DC
• 6,000+ hotel rooms and meeting space to accommodate 1,600 attendees
• Strategic access to one-third of the U.S. population, within a 350-mile radius
• Low lodging tax of 8% - 10%
• Daily Amtrak Service including Accela
• 20 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport
• NO SALES TAX on Meeting Room Rental, Food and Beverage 
• NO SALES TAX on Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Experience significant savings before your event even begins in an area that showcases spectacular gardens, world-class museums,
performing arts, excellent restaurants and hotels, a revitalized Riverfront, charming wineries and historic 17th- and 18th-century towns…
all within a 10-mile radius!