From Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania’s Americana Region
Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania’s Americana Region, is preparing to welcome 60 top travel media professionals as it hosts the prestigious Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) 2025 Media Marketplace, from Tuesday, Aug. 12, to Thursday, Aug. 14.
This marks the first time that MATPRA’s signature annual event will be held in Reading, bringing an unprecedented opportunity to shine a spotlight on Berks County’s unique tourism offerings. The impact of hosting MATPRA’s Media Marketplace is significant. Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains reported over 20 feature stories published in outlets like Southern Living, AAA Travel, and USA Today after hosting the event in 2024.
“We are thrilled to be Marketplace’s host destination this year,” said Heather Zimmerman, president of the visitors bureau. “Tourism brings close to 2 million visitors and over $900 million in tourism-related dollars to Berks County’s economy yearly. This opportunity to showcase all Reading and Berks County has to offer is so important to our tourism partners. We are grateful to be able to share our authentic Berks experience with this gathering of media and DMOs.”
Organized by the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance, a collaborative network of over 80 destination marketing organizations (DMOs) from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia, Media Marketplace rotates annually among member destinations.
The 2025 event will bring together 45 traditional journalists and 15 digital content creators with MATPRA members. Over 100 media applicants vied for an invitation to Marketplace. Selection was based on the quality of recent work, professional references, niche focus, social media influence, and affiliations with major media outlets, including USA Today, CNN Travel, National Geographic, AARP, Lonely Planet, Marie Claire, The New York Times, and Philadelphia Magazine. (Click for a list of media outlets.)
“Our members and travel media professionals who cover the Mid-Atlantic region are very excited about the opportunity to visit Pennsylvania’s Americana Region,” said Eric Knopsnyder, chair of MATPRA. “This will be the first time that our organization has held Marketplace in Reading, and we’re thrilled to be able to show off the best that Berks County has to offer to our attendees, who can then share that message with readers and viewers around the world.”
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading will serve as the base for the event. During their stay, all of the guests will experience a full itinerary of “familiarization tours” designed to showcase the area’s historic landmarks, cultural attractions, natural beauty, and thriving food and beverage scene. Highlights include a Fightin’ Phils baseball game, a farm-to-table dinner at the Rodale Institute, and a farewell luncheon at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.
The cost of hosting this high-profile event is offset through the support of MATPRA’s membership. In addition to those funds, Reading & Berks County is grateful to the generosity of its hospitality partners, including DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, Colebrookdale Railroad, Klein Transportation, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Peppermint Stick Candy Shop, Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Reading Fightin Phils, Rodale Institute, and Saucony Creek Brewing, who have donated or significantly discounted their services. The visitors bureau also thanks its members who have provided snack donations or agreed to welcome the various familiarization tours free of charge.
Fueled by strong media interest and an immersive regional showcase, the 2025 MATPRA Media Marketplace is set to put Berks County in front of a wide audience of travelers and readers. For more information about the event or to inquire about available sponsorship opportunities, contact Lisa Haggerty.
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Source: bctv
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