April 2013
Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau
18th Annual Tourism Awards Event & Silent Auction
Inside this issue: Maine Office of Tourism Updates
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Promote ME
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Welcome New Members
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Open House Deals & Promotions
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Upcoming Event: BDN Maine’s 2013 Garden Show & Spring Fling Friday, April 5 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 7 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gen. Admission: $5.00 Age 12 & Under Free BDNMaine GardenShow.com Featuring food samples, beer, wine & BBQ at the Bangor Auditorium & Civic Center
Join the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) in honoring the winners of its Tourism and Hospitality Eagle Awards at the 18th Annual Tourism Awards Event & Silent Auction on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, to be held at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. The Northeastern Loggers Association are the winners of the Organizational Achievement Award; Waterfront Concerts will be receiving the GBCVB Impact Award; and Mike Dyer, General Manager of the Cross Insurance Center and longtime Bass Park Director, will be receiving the Individual Achievement Award. "This is the 18th year that the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau has presented these awards," said GBCVB Board Chair Lee Speronis. "Every year it is inspiring to see how many people are working together and doing great things, bringing tourists to Eastern Maine to experience all that we have to offer." Mike Dyer and Alex Gray of Waterfront Concerts were on hand for the announcement of the award winners, during a media event held at Hollywood Casino, the event’s presenting sponsor. Both recipients said they were honored to be recognized, but that Eastern Maine is growing because of the collaboration of many like minded businesses, organizations and individuals.
(L-R) Alex Gray; Mike Dyer; John Osborne;
"I grew up in this region and it is amazing to see how much it has grown just in the last ten years," said Alex Gray, president of Waterfront Concerts. "For example, we have a new arena nearly completed across the street, and that is something that has been talked about since I was in diapers. It's finally happening, along with a number of other exciting things, which collectively are drawing people to Eastern Maine and bringing them back again and again and again." "The Bangor State Fair, the high school basketball tournaments, Bangor Raceway, the Harlem Globetrotters, GRAMMY winning musicians, the circus, expositions...the list goes on and on for the attractions that have brought people to Eastern Maine taking place across the street," said Dyer. "We are all universally excited to see what the future holds for the Cross Insurance Center, and to be a part of the puzzle that creates lasting memories as people visit this area."
www.VisitBangorMaine.com — (207) 947-5205
VisitBangorMaine.com
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“On the Road” with the Maine Office of Tourism & Strategic Planning Forum “On the Road” with the Maine Office of Tourism is coming to The Maine Highlands tourism region on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 from 9 am to 11 am at the Black Bear Inn & Conference Center. What is “On the Road”? These regional visits are structured not only to connect with and inform tourism businesses and organizations in your region about the activities of the Office of Tourism, but also to provide a forum for those businesses and organizations to connect with MOT, meet the staff, discuss what’s new, opportunities, challenges and other tourism related areas of interest. Who should attend? Any and all businesses or organizations that provide hospitality and customer service to incoming visitors and locals alike. All GBCVB Members are invited to attend the upcoming forum hosted by the MOT.
Strategic Planning Forum Members of the Greater Bangor CVB are invited to attend a forum discussing the creation of the Maine Office of Tourism’s 5-year strategic plan. From the recent MOT newsletter: By obtaining industry input into the 5-year strategic plan, MOT is following an industry best practice process. We have reviewed long-term strategic plans from other leading -edge destination marketing organizations, and have scoured industry trends, forecasts and outlooks. The Maine Office of Tourism has completed its own internal Strength/Weakness/ Opportunities/Threats analysis. And, we conducted the first of three input meetings on Jan. 30 at the Samoset Resort. It was an incredibly productive session and we thank the industry members for making the time and effort to collaborate with us.
The Maine Office of Tourism will be hosting a Strategic Planning Workshop - April 17 in Bangor1-4 p.m. at the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business at Husson University,1 College Circle, Bangor, ME 04401. Interested in attending? RSVP to mainetourismoffice@gmail.com. Please also indicate that you’ll be attending the Bangor session. Once all of the input steps have been completed, MOT and its marketing agency, BVK, will coalesce the input from the various steps. We will compare the internal insights with industry input to determine key areas of alignment and gaps, and to develop appropriate and meaningful marketing goals. From this, we will then design a 5-year plan accordingly.
Annual Awards (cont.) The Northeastern Loggers Association will be holding the 2013 Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo at the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center the weekend before the awards ceremony. "The overall activity in Bangor and in the region is creating a buzz and excitement that has everyone from Hollywood legend Ron Howard to rock legend Brett Michaels Tweeting about it," said John Osborne, General Manager of Hollywood Casino, Bangor, the presenting sponsor for the annual awards. "And with the work that continues to happen not just with the people here today, but collectively in the region, it's clear that there is a lot more to come." In addition to the Eagle Awards, the GBCVB will also be awarding Eaglet Awards and a Spirit of Hospitality Award at the ceremony, which focus on the front-line workers in the tourism industry who offer exceptional customer service and/or community service and involvement. Nominations for these awards are being accepted now, and winners will be surprised with the award on the night of the ceremony. For more information on the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau and to purchase tickets online, visit us at www.VisitBangorMaine.com.
Greater Bangor CVB Member Newsletter
Non-Traditional Marketing: GBCVB’s Annual Auction
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Promote ME—the GBCVB Marketing Corner
The Greater Bangor CVB is hosting our 18th Annual Tourism Awards and Silent Auction on May 21, 2013. The silent auction raises much needed revenues for the Greater Bangor CVB, which helps enhance our mission of promoting the Greater Bangor Region as a preferred destination and providing visitor services. Market your business by donating a silent auction item today! Be creative and have fun! Feel free to offer items with hooks at purchasing more of your goods or services. With each donation, we would request that you provide brochures or pictures with
printed information about your product or service, which would be displayed at the event. This is an unique and untraditional marketing opportunity. A large number of our tourism dollars come from within our very own state and neighboring communities. With this in mind, our supporters, attendees and members become your customers.
Thank you in advance for your assistance and generosity.
Interested in donating an item? Contact Danielle Dorrie, Membership & Convention Sales Coordinator at Danielle@VisitBangorMaine.com, or by calling the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau at 207-947-5205.
Member Spotlight—Maine Maritime Academy Hello, It’s so exciting to be a new member of the Greater Bangor CVB! I’ve been an employee of Sodexo at Maine Maritime Academy since 2002 and for the past 4 years I’ve been running the Conference Department. I’ve been working to build more summer business since MMA’s new Administration has chosen to utilize the campus year round. Castine is one of the most beautiful villages on the Maine coast and truly an untapped resource for so many great events. Maine Maritime Academy’s uniqueness and beauty creates a one of a kind experience to include harbor tours, sea kayak adventures, hiking trails through the Witherlee Woods and for the second half of the summer, tours on the Training Ship, State of Maine. I am so happy to be a part of this great organization and look forward to getting to know all of you as we build valuable relationships. Rhonda Varney, Director of Conference Services, Sodexo at Maine Maritime Academy
Welcome New Members Tantrum Nightclub and Lounge—www.facebook.com/ TantrumNightclub Tantrum Catering and Event Space—www.facebook.com/ TantrumEventCenter Maine Distributors—207-947-4563
Maine Maritime Academy—www.conferences.mma.edu Custom Coach and Limousine— www.customcoachandlimo.com Know someone that would be a great member? Bring them to our Open House & Reception on April 23rd!
Save the Date—GBCVB Open House and Reception Tuesday, April 23, 2013 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Schooner’s Seafood & Steakhouse Upstairs in the Chamberlain Room—Overlooking the Penobscot River 5 South Main Street in Brewer, Maine
Join us for an Open House and Reception, featuring hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Network with your peers and learn about all of the great things the GBCVB does to market and promote the Greater Bangor Region Danielle Dorrie, Membership Coordinator will also be on hand to answer any questions about to taking advantage of all the GBCVB membership benefits! The GBCVB will be announcing a special partnership that will benefit the community and visitors alike. We will also be giving away two VIP tickets to Bangor’s Beer Festival—Tap Into Summer! ~RSVPs are appreciated but not required—bringing a guest is encouraged ~ RSVP by calling Danielle at 207-947-5205 or emailing Danielle@VisitBangorMaine.com.
Member to Member Deals for You!
Member to Member Promotions for You!
The Sports Arena— 1/2 price Mini-Golf for all GBCVB
Point Lookout Resort—Join us for Easter Brunch on
Members. Just mention the Greater Bangor CVB for discount. Mini-Golf is opening in April and is outside (open weather permitting).
Sunday, March 31. We will have two seatings available: 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Please call for reservations—207-789-2000. There will be a carving station, breakfast and lunch items, as well as kid’s buffet. Adults are $39 and children ages 5-12 are $12. 67 Atlantic Highway in Northport.
Twin Maple Outdoors—Here is your chance to experience “World Class Small Mouth Bass Fishing” in Maine! We will take you up the Penobscot River in our custom jet boat; provide you with the fishing gear, snacks, refreshments and a lunch.
Clean-up Day: April 6th at 10am. Can’t attend? Get emailed to help clean up specific spots in the future. Sign up: jason.bird@bangormaine.gov or 207-992-4234. Training, supplies, protective wear will be provided.
Book a guided Small Mouth Bass Fishing Day Trip with Twin Maple Outdoors in the month of April and receive a 25% Discount (a $425 value—only redeemed for 2013 season)! Call today at 207-907-9151. Terms: Registration and 50% deposit must be received before April 30, 2013. Customer may add 2 additional people at $40.00 per person.
The Lucerne Inn—GBCVB Family & Friends April Special: Enjoy $79 guest rooms, $99 suites, and/or two for one entrees in our restaurant (equal or lesser value).
Downtown Bangor Partnership—Bangor Graffiti
Bangor Symphony Orchestra—Dvořák’s Stabat Mater on Sunday, April 14, 2013, 3 pm at the Collins Center for the Arts. Lucas Richman, conductor with four guest vocalists, University of Maine Singers & Oratorio Society. Call (800)622-TIXX or visit www.bangorsymphony.org to reserve your seat today!
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