Feb/March GBCVB Newsletter

Feb/March 2013

Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau

Bangor’s Beer Festival—Tap Into Summer

Inside this issue: 2013 Al Black Award Winner

2

2012 Tourism Highlights

3

Lulu Lobster Boat 3 Spotlight Welcome New Members

3

Deals & Promotions

4

Copies of the 2013 Visitor & Event Planning Guidebook are Available!

Looking for copies of the 2013 Greater Bangor Visitor & Event Planning Guidebook?

Send an email to Danielle@Visit BangorMaine.com to request a box or stop into our offices at 208 Maine Ave. Did you know that the GBCVB distributed over 37,000 guidebooks and had over 12,000 views online from all over the world in 2012?

Join the GBCVB as we welcome summer with Bangor’s Beer Festival—Tap Into Summer!

The festival will be featuring selections from some of Maine’s most notable breweries, including Geaghan Brothers Brewing Company, Sea Dog Brewing Company, Belfast Bay Brewing, Baxter Brewing Co., and Penobscot Bay Brewery. In addition to providing samples of their offerings, during the VIP tasting session brewers will present and speak about special brews and suggested pairings.

Among the special attractions at the festival, Chris and Merideth of TheBeerGeek.com beer blog will be in attendance. The couple has traveled around the world visiting over 750 breweries while sampling, blogging, and Tweeting their adventures.

VIP Ticket includes: advance entry to event, BBQ lunch, tastings with our signature Paul Bunyan sample glass, admission to general session, time with the brewers and TheBeerGeek.com beer bloggers. (VIP DD Ticket includes features listed plus lunch).

General Session Ticket includes: admission to the general session with ten 4oz beer tastings with our signature Paul Bunyan sample glass.

Designated Driver (DD) Ticket includes: admission to the tasting session, special deals & discounts package, and endless gratitude and appreciation!

Saturday, June 22, 2013 on the Bangor Waterfront VisitBangorMaine.com/TapIntoSummer VIP Session—Advance Purchase Only Noon to 1:00 p.m. $50 VIP Session $20 VIP DD Tickets General Session 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. $25 – Advance Purchase $30 – Day of Event $10 – DD Tickets

“All Roads Lead to Greater Bangor” Meeting & Event Planner Trade Show We would like to take a moment to THANK YOU to all who participated in "All Roads Lead to Greater Bangor", the first meeting & event planning trade show in the region!

All revenue from the "All Roads Lead to Greater Bangor" Trade Show is being used to fund the next step in bringing more meetings and events to the region. The GBCVB will be attending a trade show outside of the state of Maine that we have been unable to attend before. The trade show will be specific to attracting more meetings & events to the Roosevelt International Park with Attendees Greater Bangor Region. An extra special thank you to the Husson Hospitality Students who helped with office phones and with the event! www.VisitBangorMaine.com — (207) 947-5205

VisitBangorMaine.com

Page 2

Windswept Gardens Awarded with 2013 Al Black Award for Second Year The Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau would like to congratulate our member Windswept Gardens on their recent award!

“Robert Bangs, owner and founder of Windswept Gardens was awarded the 2013 Al Black Award at the recent annual meeting of the Maine Nursery and Landscape Association. The award was given to Bob for his long term dedication, service and contribution to Maine’s Horticulture Industry and the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association. Aside from being in business for 40 years, Bob has taught Horticulture and

Landscape Design at the University of Maine as well as being a strong proponent for raising the standards of professionalism in Maine’s Green Industry.

Both Todd and Bob are Certified Maine Nursery and Landscape Professionals. Windswept Gardens has won numerous awards for their work and has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens several times as well as being nominated as one of the top 12 small landscape companies in the country in 2009.”

This is the second year in a row Windswept Gardens has been honored. Last year Todd Bangs was awarded the Maine’s Young Nursery Professional for 2012. Todd is the operations manager for Windswept Gardens and currently serves on the executive board of the Maine Nursery and Landscape Association.

Nominate Your Outstanding Employees For An Eaglet Award GBCVB Members, It’s that time of year again ~ The GBCVB is asking for you to nominate your outstanding front line employees for the coveted Eaglet Awards.

This award is our way to give back to the folks on both your front lines, and quite honestly behind the scenes, that work tirelessly to promote your business and treat your customers like gold!

Please find the guidelines about nominating one (or more) of your employees for the Tourism Employee of the Year or for the Maureen Waltz Spirit of Hospitality Award on our website: www.VisitBangorMaine.com/Marketing.

Deadline for submission is March 8, 2013.

Nominations will be reviewed by the Annual Event Committee and we will let you know of the decisions no later than March 22nd.

Remember we like to surprise the honoree on the evening of the event so keep this a secret and if your employee wins have a great story ready to get them to attend. Lastly we always ask the person who nominated the employee be present and read the letter of nomination ~ it’s very powerful for the employee to know who nominated them and why.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to reading your nomination letters very soon.

Kerrie Tripp Executive Director Greater Bangor CVB

Greater Bangor CVB Member Newsletter

A Recap— 2012 Maine Tourism Highlights from the Governor’s Conference on Tourism

Page 3

Promote ME—the GBCVB Marketing Corner

Recently the GBCVB staff attended one of the most important industry events in the state of Maine, the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. This year the conference was held at the Samoset Resort in Rockport on Thursday, January 31st. We wanted to use this space of the newsletter to share some of the 2012 Maine Tourism Highlights focused on our visitors that were presented at the conference.

Our Canadian visitors account for over $1.2 billion in direct expenditures, over $500 million in tourism related retail expenditures, and 4 million day & overnight visits.

If you were unable to attend, some of the presentations, 2013 MOT marketing plan and workshop materials are posted at MaineTourismConference.com.

Member Spotlight—Lulu Lobster Boat Ride The only Lobster Boat tour in Bar Harbor hosted on a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat. Lulu departs from the Harborside Hotel and Marina located at 55 West Street. Lulu Lobster Boat Ride has been ranked the #1 tour in Bar Harbor 6 years running and has a 5 star rating on most every other tourism based web site.

During the 2 hour cruise on Lulu, you'll experience a sample of the life and work of the Maine Lobsterman. Watch as Captain John demonstrates how lobster traps are hauled and describes the anatomy and biology of the Maine lobster; learn about the conservation of the species and all the regulations protecting our fragile resource. We'll then take you to Egg Rock Lighthouse to visit a Harbor and Grey seal colony. Learning about and seeing seals up close are one of the highlights of the trip. If we're lucky we may spot different seabirds, a bald eagle (or several) and maybe a few harbor porpoise! Captain John will share some lighthouse history, folklore, Native American and European history of the area as well.

The cruise is like a Maine postcard coming to life! FMI: www.LuluLobsterBoat.com

Welcome New Members High Tech Entertainment—www.HighTechMaine.com

Wallace Tent & Party Rentals—www.WallaceTent.com

Jeanie Marshal Foods & Bangor Catering— www.bangor-catering.com & www.jeaniemarshalfoods.com

Lulu Lobster Boat Ride—www.LuluLobsterBoat.com

Anthony John’s Day Spa—www.AnthonyJohnsDaySpa.com

Brewer Motor Inn—(207) 989-4479

Rudman Winchell Launches Maine’s First On-line Legal Services Site for Estate Planning GBCVB Member to Member News—Rudman Winchell Counselors at Law in Bangor, Maine announces the launch of the state’s first web site devoted to providing on line legal services. Rudman Winchell’s “e- State Planning” can be accessed at rudmanwinchell.com Rudman Winchell’s “e- State Planning” site provides quick, convenient, and economical online legal services. Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney documents, and Healthcare Directives can all be completed on the new website.

“People today are busier than ever. We think this will be a very convenient and affordable service for working individuals and busy parents,” says Jennifer Eastman, a Partner and Estate Planning Attorney at Rudman Winchell.

“This gives people the ability to provide peace of mind for their family from the comfort of their own home, morning noon or night.”

e-State document is reviewed by a licensed Maine attorney and backed by a Rudman Winchell.

“Every state has unique laws that apply to estate planning,” says Eastman. “It's crucial for a resident of Maine to have their documents reviewed by a licensed Maine attorney and a reputable Maine law firm.”

The site provides plenty of free legal information as well.

Everyone is invited to log on and watch videos that explain wills, trusts, powers of attorneys, healthcare directives and more.

With more than 30 attorneys specializing in various fields of practice, Rudman Winchell provides comprehensive counsel to the people, businesses and communities of Maine.

For more information please contact: Jeff Solari-Manager of Business Development 207.992.2628 or jsolari@rudmanwinchell.com

An individual can visit the site and create a secure account, then work on their legal documents on line from home or office. All information is saved as the questionnaire is filled out allowing a person to stop and return to the project as often as their schedule allows. There are different levels of estate planning services available depending on complexity of the participants plan.

Unlike the national on line legal sites, each and every

Member to Member Deals for You! The world famous Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Bangor, Maine for one night only on March 19, 2013!

Member to Member Promotions for You! 

Oceanside Hotel for our Wine & Dine Special ~ Now through March 29th ~ $159 per night (not available Sunday and Monday). Stay in one of our Maine Building Ocean view rooms, enjoy Dinner for two at Mama DiMatteo’s. A deluxe Continental breakfast in the morning, wine and chocolates upon arrival, and you can add additional rooms at a discounted rate. Call 207-2885801 or 1-800-33-MAINE (62463) to make reservations.

Now in their 87th consecutive season of touring the world, the Globetrotters showcase a captivating assortment of trick shots, high-flying dunks and ball-handling wizardry combined with a side-splitting array of comedy guaranteed to entertain both the young and young-at-heart!

The Globetrotters would like to extend an exclusive discount offer to Greater Bangor Convention & Visitor’s Bureau members and their friends & family.



Ashley Murry

Phone: 602-707-7010 E-Mail: murry@harlemglobetrotters.com

Spectacular Event Center—Monthly Comedy Night – Friday, March 15th, Two Boston Comedians, Dan Crohn & Mike Kutrobis will take the stage for a night of laughs!

Grab some friends and come enjoy a night out with Appetizers & Comedy! Tables seat 10. Tickets are $15 Per Person. Includes Hot & Cold Appetizers and Bar Service is available. Doors Open at 7:30 & Show Starts at 8:30. Mention this ad and get $5 OFF YOUR TICKET! Call (207) 941-8700 for ticket reservations.

For more information on ticket prices, group experience packages or how to order, please contact:

Group Ticket Sales Specialist

Atlantic Oceanside Hotel—Join us at the Atlantic



Bangor Symphony Orchestra—Simply Sinatra starring Steve Lippia; Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 8 pm; Collins Center for the Arts. Co-presented by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and the Collins Center for the Arts.

Get your tickets today at 1.800.622.TIXX or www.bangorsymphony.org

Subscribe to our weekly event emails, delivered to your inbox every Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. http://eepurl.com/nPQ7f VisitBangorMaine.com Page 4