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beerBinghamton -- Following review of more than a dozen proposals, Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board has selected Communiqué Design and Marketing, Inc. to spearhead a regional craft beverage marketing campaign for the Southern Tier of New York State.  Together, STE and Communiqué seek to link beverage producers with farms growing craft beverage grains and crop processing facilities, and to brand the 14-county Southern Tier as a craft beverage tourism destination.

As per a Craft Beverage Tourism Promotion Grant from Empire State Development received by STE, Communiqué will work to develop a marketing strategy and message consistent throughout the Southern Tier that highlights craft beverage producers, their beers, and those that grow and process crops for the craft beverage industry. The plan will need to align with I Love New York marketing.

"Our aim is to create a recognizable brand that will promote producers and the farmers that grow malt, hops, and other ingredients used in the making of craft beverages," explained STE Director Erik Miller.

"We look forward to working with Communiqué to develop a plan that will help lower marketing costs for craft brewers, provide further access to funding sources and increase tourism," Miller said.

"The craft brewing industry is a rapidly growing sector with great potential for economic development and tourism in New York State, specifically the Southern Tier. Communiqué's long-term goal in working with STE and other stakeholders is to make New York State known as the epicenter for craft beverage producers," said Communiqué President Laurie Linn. "We are thrilled to have this opportunity."

The proposal review panel included representatives of STE, Binghamton Brewing Co., Butternuts Beer & Ale, Cooperstown/Otsego County Tourism, the Finger Lakes Beer Trail, Oneida County Tourism, Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board, Tioga County Tourism, and the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. Completion of a marketing strategic plan is set for late summer of 2016.

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