May 09, 2011
First Night Charlotte Chosen as Top Event
Charlotte, NC- May 6, 2011- Charlotte Center City Partners is pleased to announce that First Night Charlotte has been selected as Top 20 Event for Winter 2011 by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) as well as Top 10 Event by Top Events USA.
Southeast Tourism Society members throughout the south submitted dozens of nominations. To be selected out of such a large group of nominations acknowledges the value and significance the event has from a tourism perspective. Each event is evaluated on number of attendees, how long the event has been in existence and what makes it special and stand out from the other submissions.
Top Events USA has a top 10 listing that organizations submit event info for consideration. Since the list only recognizes the best 10 events of North Carolina, it’s an honor for First Night Charlotte to have been chosen as a top 10 event.
First Night Charlotte, presented by WBTV, takes place on New Year’s Eve from 3pm-midnight with First Night Kids from 3-7pm at kid-friendly venues and an evening programming that runs from 8-11:30pm at various venues with the countdown to midnight from 11-12:30am at the main stage located at Levine Avenue of the Arts street. With over 75,000 attendees, First Night Charlotte has grown into one of the biggest and best known events in the Southeast to visit for New Year’s Eve.
“We are very pleased that First Night Charlotte was selected to be highlighted by the Southeast Tourism Society and Top Events USA,” said Robert Krumbine, Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Center City Partners. “It gives our event additional exposure to encourage visitors to make Charlotte a destination as they plan their New Year’s Eve celebration in Center City Charlotte”
Today, STS is eleven states strong with over 550 members in sustaining member states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. They continue their dedication to promoting and developing tourism by pioneering programs that have major impact on the tourism industry regionally and nationally. Additional information can be found at www.southeasttourism.org
The goal of Top Events USA is to showcase the best state events, event themes, top 10 events, featured events and top places to stay across the State of North Carolina, including events in Durham, Atlantic Beach and Lexington. Go to www.topeventsusa.com
First Night Charlotte
Begun in Boston in 1976, First Night is an alcohol-free community celebration of the New Year that is now celebrated in over 200 cities internationally. The celebration aims to advance the public’s appreciation of visual and performing arts through an innovative, diverse, and high-quality New Year’s Eve program that offers a shared cultural experience, accessible and affordable to all. First Night continues the ancient tradition of marking the passage of time but provides an alternative to the usual way present-day celebrants usher in the New Year (i.e., alcohol and adult-oriented venues). A program of Charlotte Center City Partners, and presented by WBTV, First Night Charlotte is created by and for the community.
Just like last year, the safe, affordable, family-friendly and entertaining option for New Year’s Eve will unquestionably be a family favorite. For more information, visit www.firstnightcharlotte.com.
The First Night Charlotte Committee is made possible due to the hard work of representatives from organizations throughout the community including Charlotte Center City Partners, The Arts & Science Council, Wray Ward, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Department, City of Charlotte Neighborhood Development, Hands on Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and Audio Ethics.
Categories: Charlotte Center City Partners, Arts & Entertainment
