Commissioners kick off fall tourism season in Monmouth County

HOLMDEL, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, local officials and tourism partners welcomed the 2024 fall tourism season during a press conference at Bell Works in Holmdel this morning, Oct. 1.

“Summer 2023 saw more than 9.5 million visitors to Monmouth County, our food and beverage revenues increased and our visitor spending increased. We are confident that when the new State report is released next spring for the summer of 2024, we will see the same upward trend from last year,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Division of Tourism. “We are anticipating a record-breaking summer season for beach revenue—with Monmouth County beaches on track to surpass $30 million in revenue for 2024.”

Local elected officials and tourism partners also discussed the fall season in Monmouth County.

“People from all over New Jersey visit our natural and manmade landmarks,” said Holmdel Mayor Rocco Impreveduto. “These locations include Monmouth County’s Historic Longstreet Farm, our open fields and tranquil lakes, Bell Works, the PNC Bank Arts Center and the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum. We welcome all those who choose to visit these sites. And we thank the County for an extraordinary contribution to help us purchase the site of the historic Horn Antenna for the future Robert Wilson Park.”

“It is an honor for us to welcome you to Bell Works, the world’s first metroburb,” said Ralph Zucker, CEO and Founder of Inspired by Somerset Development. “The world bet against us when we said we wanted to develop this site, but Monmouth County bet with us to make it happen. We took a building that was closed to the public and bet on the people of this town, this County and this State. Bell Works is open to the public every day; please come here and enjoy it.”

“What a dream it is to be in Bell Works,” said Mary-Kate Schmidt, Director of Axelrod Performing Arts Academy and Bell Theater. “We offer many unique activities for young people; musical theater, dance classes and many other performance opportunities. Our vision is to become a leading cultural center and our goal is to create a vibrant cultural scene in the region.”

“Our County Commissioners and Division of Tourism support our chambers of commerce in so many ways,” said Terese Rolke, Executive Director of the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce. “There is so much to see and do here in Monmouth County, so many good memories, so much talent and so many businesses that are supported through the events that go on throughout our county.”

Commissioner Director Arnone reminded everyone that even though the summer is over, there is still so much to see and do in Monmouth County,

“Fall is one of the best times of year to visit Monmouth County. Our nationally recognized Park System has more than 40 properties ranging from parks and golf courses to historic sites and conservation areas. One of the Park System’s most popular events, Thompson Park Day, is happening on Oct. 20 in Lincroft,” said Commissioner Director Arnone. “We have so many amazing happenings all around the County this fall; the Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Fall Harvest Festival Arts and Crafts Show on Oct. 5, Brookdale starts its Haunted Theater, and the newly formed Belmar-Lake Como Chamber of Commerce will have its first event, Fall Fest, in late October featuring a car show, live music, vendors and more.”

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners presented a Certificate of Recognition to Bob Zuckerman, Executive Director of Red Bank RiverCenter, in honor of his retirement and to congratulate him on his career promoting Red Bank’s local tourism industry.

“We are recognizing and honoring Bob Zuckerman, who is retiring from his role at Red Bank RiverCenter,” said Commissioner Director Arnone.  “Bob is a vital part of the success that has occurred at RiverCenter and in the town of Red Bank. The County, the local chambers of commerce and small businesses in that area appreciate and thank him for his hard work. He will be greatly missed.”

“Thank you for this proclamation,” said Zuckerman. “Our partnership over the last few years has been tremendous. Monmouth County ‘gets it’ when it comes to supporting local business.”

The press conference was live-streamed and can be viewed in its entirety on the Monmouth County Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel.

HOLMDEL, NJ – Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone shared that the summer of 2024 saw more than 9.5 million visitors to Monmouth County and that food and beverage revenues increased, as well as visitor spending. Photo by Monmouth County Government.

For more information about Monmouth County happenings, go to MonmouthCountyTourism.com and follow Monmouth County Tourism on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.