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February 25, 2015
Plymouth 400 Hosting Forum to highlight opportunities
PLYMOUTH, MA— Plymouth 400, Inc., the organization planning the events and programs commemorating the 400th anniversary of the 1620 Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony, will host the Massachusetts 400 Forum (MA 400 Forum) on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Several historic communities in Massachusetts; namely Boston, Salem, and Quincy; are approaching their 400th anniversaries, beginning with the Plymouth 400 commemoration in 2020. The MA 400 Forum is an opportunity for legislators, state agencies, and cultural and tourism entities to create partnerships that will allow these communities to leverage their upcoming anniversaries to significantly impact the economy and increase visibility nationally and internationally.
Congressman William Keating and Senator Vinny deMacedo will discuss the projected economic potential for the State and the need for State and Federal support. Prosody Creative Services, the award-winning agency that produced signature events for Jamestown’s 400th anniversary in 2007, will speak about the challenges and opportunities that accompany an event of this scale and the funding, staffing, and logistics that each of the cities and towns turning 400 will have to consider. There will also be a panel discussion on the economic impact of these anniversaries, specifically on Massachusetts’ tourism industry, which is the third largest industry in the State.
“You can’t study American history without knowing something about Plymouth, Salem, Quincy, and Boston—historic brands that are recognized worldwide,” said Michele Pecoraro, Executive Director of Plymouth 400. “The Commonwealth and its tourism industry have a rare opportunity to realize significant economic benefit resulting from these commemorations. The outcome could be a game-changer for these communities as well as the State. The goal of the forum is to begin partnering to encourage a planning dialog and garner legislative and community support to ensuring that we’re leveraging the cross promotion of these historic milestones for the strongest possible impact.”
This event will offer participants an opportunity to discuss their processes for planning, funding and executing events and programs. Topics will include infrastructure requirements, shared themes, cross-promotion and legacy development.
If you are interested in learning more about this event, please contact Cheryl Soares at casoares@plymouthma400.org.
About Plymouth 400, Inc.
Plymouth 400, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization in Plymouth, Massachusetts formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony in 2020. The Plymouth 400 Anniversary will highlight the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag and English peoples, a story that significantly shaped the building of America.
