Raleigh Visitors Bureau Predicts $12 Million Impact from Monet in Normandy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Martin Armes, 645-2654
marmes@visitraleigh.com

Raleigh Visitors Bureau Predicts $12 Million Impact from Monet in Normandy
Blockbuster exhibition expected to draw 150,000 attendees

RALEIGH, N.C. (September 23, 2006) – The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) announced today that the upcoming Monet in Normandy exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of Art will inject approximately $12 million dollars in tourism revenue into the Wake County economy and attract nearly 150,000 attendees.

“The economic effects of this event will be far-reaching,” predicted Martin Armes, director of communications and marketing for the GRCVB. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition, coupled with a large number of related French experiences, that will support the local economy and local businesses, while cementing Raleigh’s reputation as a cultural destination. Because of the exhibition and the surrounding events, we are expecting it to surpass the $9.5 million economic impact of the 2004 Matisse, Picasso and the School of Paris exhibition.”

The exhibition opens on October 15, 2006, and will feature a collection of 50 of the best-known paintings by celebrated impressionist painter Claude Monet. Its three-month appearance in Raleigh will be the only showing of the exhibition on the East Coast. Many of these works are on loan from private collections from around the world and are rarely traveled.

In addition to the Monet in Normandy exhibition, businesses throughout Raleigh are hosting a series of French Getaway Experiences that visitors and residents can enjoy during the run of the show. These experiences include a variety of French-inspired events such as chef’s tables and tasting menus at local award-winning restaurants, cooking classes, wine tastings, shopping, special hotel offers, and even a sweepstakes for visitors to win a trip to Paris.

“We designed the French Getaway Experiences to encourage visitors of the exhibition to see the Raleigh in a new light, and explore what it has to offer,” said Armes, “These partnerships with local businesses, renowned chefs, and local boutiques will complete the French experience of Monet, and have a major impact on our local economy.”

Visitors can find more information about the Monet in Normandy exhibition and the French Getaway Experiences at www.VisitRaleigh.com/monet. The website allows visitors to purchase tickets to the exhibition, book hotel accommodations, and enter the Paris sweepstakes.

The GRCVB, as the official destination marketing organization of Raleigh and Wake County, accelerates sustainable growth and development by increasing visitor and convention business. Through its website, VisitRaleigh.com and other tools, the GRCVB assists visitors to the Greater Raleigh area in a variety of ways.

-30-