Festival Designated One of North America's 100 Best Events for 2010

September 30, 2009

The International Festival of Arts & Ideas has been recognized this month by several national and regional publications:

  • The American Bus Association has announced that the 15th annual International Festival of Arts & Ideas - to be held next summer (June 12-26, 2010) - has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2010 by an elite tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, indicates that the Festival offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world, said ABA. The Festival was previously named to the list in 2008, 2005 and 2002. (Please see below for more details about this designation).
  • The editors of Connecticut Magazine ® featured the International Festival of Arts & Ideas as the Best of Connecticut® 2009 Winner for Best Festival. More than 170 Best of Connecticut 2009 winners were highlighted in the September issue. The Festival has won Best of Connecticut for three years in a row.
  • The U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) selected the International Festival of Arts & Ideas for the 2009 Best of New Haven Award in the Arts Organizations category. The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

American Bus Association

With the release of the American Bus Association's 2010 Top 100 Events in North America, ABA celebrates 28 years of the Top 100 Events. What began as a way for motorcoach operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries has grown to one of the most sought-after lists by travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public.

"The attractiveness of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas as a don't-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for the city of New Haven," said Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS, ABA's president and CEO. "The real news here is that the Festival has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives New Haven an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners."

“The Festival is proud to have been chosen by the ABA for this honor,” said Mary Lou Aleskie, Executive Director of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. “In addition to presenting world-class artists and thinkers from around the globe, part of our mission is to be an economic driver for the city of New Haven and the region. This accolade affirms the contribution the Festival makes to the economic vitality of the city of New Haven,” she added. According to the recently completed Economic Impact Study by Quinnipiac University, the 2009 Festival generated an estimated $21 million in economic impact to the New Haven region.

According to studies recently completed by researchers at George Washington University and Dunham and Associates, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave from $5,000 to more than $13,000 in a local destination's economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

"Simply put," said Mr. Pantuso, "motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer. That's why the International Festival of Arts & Ideas is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay."

ABA's 2010 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected the International Festival of Arts & Ideas from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and convention and visitors bureaus. Judges considered the event's broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches and skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria.

The Top 100 Events list is available online at www.buses.org.

Connecticut Magazine

For more than 30 years, Connecticut Magazine has coupled award-winning journalism with a monthly slice of Connecticut living in a magazine that has a relationship with and is a respected resource to more than 340,000 readers statewide.

“The Festival is excited to have been selected once again by the readers and editors of Connecticut Magazine for this award. It’s always gratifying when your audience recognizes you to be among their favorites in the state,” said Mary Lou Aleskie.

Visit Connecticut Magazine online at www.connecticutmag.com U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. The organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Their mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners were determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

For more information about the USCA, please visit www.us-ca.org The International Festival of Arts & IdeasThe 15th annual International Festival of Arts & Ideas will be held June 12-26, 2010. Since its founding in 1996, the Festival has presented more than 15,000 artists and thinkers in over 5,000 events, celebrations, explorations, forums, exhibitions, debates, presentations and more. The Festival plays host to over 100,000 people each year, and takes place in more than two dozen venues in and around New Haven, Connecticut, including theaters, concert halls, courtyards and the streets. More than 75 countries have been represented in the Festival since its inception.

The 2009 International Festival of Arts & Ideas received major support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Yale University, the New Haven Register, and WTNH News Channel 8 & WCTX MyTV9.

The Festival is a participant in the Greater New Haven Arts Stabilization Project, a joint venture of the Greater New Haven philanthropic community.

To arrange an interview with Mary Lou Aleskie, please contact the Festival’s Director of Marketing & Communications Andrew Chatfield at achatfield@artidea.org or 203.498.3710.