MATPRA welcomes you to Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands! A magnificent mountainous region, the Laurel Highlands spans 3,000 square miles in southwestern Pennsylvania. Located just east of Pittsburgh, the beautiful four-season destination offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreation, historic sites and attractions, classic family activities and world-class resorts. Notable destinations within the region include three architectural masterpieces by Frank Lloyd Wright – Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and Duncan House – Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Flight 93 National Memorial, Idlewild and Soak Zone, whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle State Park, and more. The MATPRA Media Marketplace is a great opportunity for both PR professionals and travel journalists to get together and discuss story ideas, arrange visits to our destination and talk about what’s new in our backyards. Learn more about Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands by clicking here. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort One of North America’s premier luxury resort destinations situated on nearly 2,000 acres in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort features 320 luxurious guestrooms, suites, townhouses and private upscale homes. The resort offers championship golf, including two Pete Dye-designed golf courses – the newly opened Shepherd’s Rock and Mystic Rock. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the Shooting Academy; Wildlife Academy that features everything from safari tours to dog sledding; Adventure Center, complete with zip lines and climbing wall; and Jeep Off-Road Driving Academy. Guests can test their luck at our Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin, featuring approximately 600 slots and 28 table games. Nemacolin also boasts an internationally acclaimed spa collection and 15 restaurants and lounges, including Lautrec, a Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant experience. For meetings and events, Nemacolin’s 32,000 square feet of conference space includes three ballrooms, a lecture hall and 25 meeting rooms. Tentative Schedule of Events Tuesday, September 25 1-6 p.m., DMO and Media Registration, Lafayette Hospitality Suite, Chateau Lafayette 3:30 p.m., Annual Membership Meeting [DMOs only], Marquis Ballroom 4 p.m., Hotel Check-In 5-7 p.m., Media Registration, Marquis Entrance 6 p.m., Welcome Reception and Dinner, Marquis Ballroom Wednesday, September 26 7:30-11 a.m., Registration for late arrivals, Marquis Ballroom Foyer 7:30-9 a.m., Buffet Breakfast, Marquis Ballroom Salon 1 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Media Marketplace in Marquis Ballroom Salons 2, 3, and 4 12:15 p.m., FAM Tour Shuttles Depart – boxed lunches will be provided on your shuttle bus 12:15-7:30 p.m., FAM Tours and Dine Around Experiences 7:30-9:30 p.m., Dessert Reception, Marquis Ballroom, Salons 1-2 Thursday, September 27 7:30-9 a.m., Buffet Breakfast, Marquis Ballroom Salon 1 9 a.m.-12 p.m., FAM Tours of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort 12-2 p.m., Lunch, Panel Discussion and Announcement of 2019 Marketplace FAM Tour Options The Application Process for Marketplace 2018 is now closed Journalists must apply to attend MATPRA Media Marketplace. A select number of journalists are invited to attend based on criteria established by a committee that reviews each journalist’s audience, scope and past coverage to ensure the best fit for marketplace. As of March 16, the application process has closed. At this point, a committee of MATPRA members will review the applications and choose the top journalists to attend the Media Marketplace. Journalists will be notified by May 11, 2018 as to their invitation to attend. Questions about the Marketplace may be directed to midatlantictourism@gmail.com. Check out what MATPRA discovered in 2017 in Winchester, Virginia, on Twitter and Instagram! Past MATPRA Media Marketplaces Winchester, Virginia – September 2017 Talbot County, Maryland – September 2016 Erie, Pennsylvania – September 2015 Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania – October 2014 Arlington, Virginia – August 2013 Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania – September 2012 Calvert County, Maryland – September 2011 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – September 2010 Rehoboth Beach, Delaware – May 2009 Annapolis, Maryland – August 2008 Hampton, Virginia – June 2007 Lancaster, Pennsylvania – September 2006 Richmond, Virginia – May 2005 Washington, D.C. – June 2004