Register for the National Cherry Blossom Festival Cherry Picks Promotion
December 9, 2015 - 08:30PM - December 22, 2015 - 11:30PM
CHERRY PICKS PROGRAM:  Now in its 14th year, the objective of the Cherry Picks Restaurant Program is for the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) to highlight the area’s vibrant and diverse restaurant scene for over 1.5 million attendees throughout the Festival, March 20 – April 17, 2016. Restaurants are encouraged to enroll in the program to highlight items from their seasonal, springtime menus in a designated Cherry Picks menu. Please note: the use of cherries as an ingredient is not necessary to participate in this springtime menu promotion.
 
 
PARTICIPATION BENEFITS:  All participating restaurants MUST enroll by Tuesday, December 22, 2015.  Cherry Picks is a major marketing campaign that generates strong media coverage locally for participating restaurants and also extends presence into international media outlets. Restaurants will be widely promoted via Festival marketing and public relations efforts, including:
 
  • Inclusion in the Cherry Picks press release, distributed in the Festival’s press kit at the kick-off press conference to all major local, national and international outlets (March 2, 2016 at the Newseum)
  • Cherry Picks Marketing Materials
  • Five (5) blossom decals per restaurant
  • Customizable template for Cherry Picks check insert (for print by restaurant)
  • Media opportunities (traditional)
  • Exposure to local, national and international markets through media outreach efforts
  • Per availability, opportunity to participate in Cherry Picks promotions including chef appearances on local and/or national television
  • Social Media
  • Cross promotion by RAMW and the Festival via various platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Festival reaches 69,000+ fans on Facebook and has 9,000+ followers on Twitter).
  • E-blasts
  • Dedicated e-blasts on Spring Menus to over 10,000 subscribers of the RAMW Diner Insider list
  • Cherry Picks e-blasts focusing on Spring Menus to over 19,000 subscribers of the National Cherry Blossom Festival list
  • Publications
  • Opportunity for inclusion in Cherry Picks editorial in the Festival’s Commemorative Program. The Program is distributed at area hotels and Festival events. Circulation 20,000. Deadline: Dec. 22
  • Opportunity for inclusion in a Cherry Picks feature Festival marketing pieces, distributed at events and Festival Welcome Centers
  • Website
  • Restaurant included in dedicated Cherry Picks page on nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
  • Cherry Picks news post featured on nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
  • Cherry Picks information on dedicated page on RAMW.org, linking to nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
 
IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION:
Participation requires submission of two $50 gift certificates by January 15, 2016 for fundraising, promotional or publicity purposes of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. All gift certificates should be dated a year or more from the date of issuance; no bearer is required. Failure to provide the gift certificate by January 15, 2016 will void the restaurant from the program.
  • Deadline to enroll is Tuesday, December 22, 2015. All enrollment must be via the online portal: eatsdc.org/CherryPicks/Register
  • Gift certificates are to  be submitted via email to rwallace@ncfbfdc.org or by mail to:  National Cherry Blossom Festival, 1250 H Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005
  • Approved logo for use on the Cherry Picks website page (145 pixels x 145 pixels)
 
BECOME A “FRIEND OF THE FESTIVAL”
As you know, the National Cherry Blossom Festival has expanded to four weeks in the last few years, taking the celebration beyond the blossoms and attracting more and more people, generating millions of dollars each year for the local economy. We need your help for the Festival to continue to blossom.  We invite you to become a “Friend of the Festival” through a minimal donation to support our efforts.  Your membership in this program will provide exclusive access to valuable Festival hospitality and extended promotional opportunities. Your generous contribution will help maintain the quality and integrity of the Festival and continue to promote the brand of the city as well as ensure the majority of events remain free and open to the public. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a 501-c-3 nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information on the “Friends of the Festival” program please contact Evan Riggs at 202-661-7592 or eriggs@ncbfdc.org.
 
 
ADDITIONAL TIE-INS: CITY IN BLOOM
 
City in Bloom is an opportunity for businesses, organizations, and individuals to bring the spirit of the Tidal Basin into the neighborhoods, visually uniting the region during the Festival. The City in Bloom campaign will also be widely promoted via Festival marketing and public relations efforts. Additional participation is optional but strongly encouraged. Opportunities include:
  • Lapel pins for restaurant staff – $5/each (special pricing for bulk orders is available)  
  • Blossom Decals starting at $1/decal (special pricing for bulk orders is available)
  • Blossom Decal Retail Packages starting at $75, package includes 50 small (5"x5"), 5 medium (12"x12") and 1 large (30"x30") Blossom Decals
  • Pink LED Outdoor String Lights starting at $19.95 – perfect for decorating trees and patios and creating glowing streetscapes.
​Participants in the City in Bloom will receive added exposure through Festival marketing channels. The Festival is pleased to work with you at your restaurant and accommodate custom orders if interested.
 
Have questions about Cherry Picks or City in Bloom? Please contact Remi Wallace at 202.638.8372 orrwallace@ncbfcdc.org.
 
 
ABOUT THE NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL: The National Cherry Blossom Festival,March 20 – April 17, includes three spectacular weeks and four weekends of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. The city-wide effort will help welcome over 1.5 million people to the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. The 2016 Festival commemorates the 104th anniversary of the gift of trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org for more information.