GBCVB Member Newsletter - December

Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau

Inside this issue:

December 2012

A Top Ten Winter Vacation Destination!

To narrow down the list, editors started by identifying those cities with an average temperature below freezing and an average annual snowfall more than 25 inches. Next, they looked for cities that offer an ample number of outdoor recreation options – cities near ski slopes or frozen lakes, or with large open areas perfect for snowshoeing or snowmobiling. Finally, editors factored in the number and type of indoor activities offered, such as shopping, dining, concerts and theater.

BGR Loyalty Program 2 February Trade Show 2 Promote ME

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Member Spotlight

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Welcome to GBCVB New Members

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Upcoming Events

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Member to Member

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Where does the guidebook go? 

Visitor Info Kiosks I-95 Info Centers Chambers of Commerce

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Consumer & Meeting Planner Trade Shows

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GBCVB Member Businesses

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Visitor Info Packets

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Wedding Welcome Packets

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Libraries & Resource Centers all over the world

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Higher Education & Hospital Orientations/Recruitment

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Area Event Welcome Bags

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And more!

Winter Sleigh Rids at the Maine Forest & Logging Museum at Leonard’s Mills—www.LeonardsMills.com

Bangor has been named a Top 10 Best Winter Vacation Destination by Livability.com, a national website that highlights more than 500 of America’s best places to live and visit.

The list highlights those communities that embrace their cool climates and offer residents and visitors a wealth of outdoor recreation, arts and culture, dining and entertainment options.

Bangor was chosen because, in addition to a cooler climate, the city offers all the amenities tourists look for – affordability; good, local and independent restaurants; a thriving arts scene; nightlife; shopping and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Other cities chosen include: Top 10 Best Winter Vacation Destinations 1. Anchorage, AK; 2. Spokane, WA; 3. Minneapolis, MN; 4.

Traverse City, MI; 5. Reno, NV; 6. Waukesha, WI; 7. Missoula, MT; 8. Bangor, ME; 9. Concord, NH; 10. Casper, WY. www.Livability.com

2013 Visitor & Event Planning Guidebook SPACE RESERVATION DUE TODAY! 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?

Get your business featured in the area’s only visitor and event planning guidebook.

Reserve your space by TODAY, Fri 12/7/12!

For more information, contact Danielle Dorrie 207.947.5205or Danielle@ VisitBangorMaine.com

Visit the marketing tools page on our website to preview the media kit: VisitBangorMaine.com/Marketing

VisitBangorMaine.com

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Bangor International Airport Loyalty Program Just in time for the holiday travel season, Bangor International Airport recently launched a passenger loyalty program. Those using Bangor International Airport may earn frequent flier miles for every dollar spent at the airport (the program works in addition to any rewards program associated with your cards).

Thanks Again enables travelers to earn extra rewards at over 170 airports throughout the United States. Passengers can register their debit/ credit cards to pay for parking, and buying a magazine or a snack at BGR and earn rewards.

the opportunity to participate in the program, and make it a community loyalty program. During the introductory period passengers may earn a bonus miles just for signing up. Enrollment into the program is free and easy, just visit their website at:

BGR will also be reaching out to other community businesses to give them

www.thanksagain.com/ BGR

www.ThanksAgain.com/BGR For more information about the new airport loyalty program.

Special Note from Husson University Husson University's School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management extends grateful thank you during this season of thanks to the Greater Bangor CVB, for providing partnering opportunities for our students.

student involvement in events such as the Annual Tourism Awards Event, Fireball Run and the Bangor Car Show. It broadens their knowledge and experience base and creates a "win-win" for everyone.

Recent internship and community service opportunities have included

Thank you GBCVB!

“All Roads Lead to Greater Bangor” Accessible, hospitable and authentic, the Greater Bangor Region just feels like home.

Join us for "All Roads Lead to Greater Bangor" meeting and event planner trade show on Thursday, February 7, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Bangor Civic Center. Come meet representatives from the top meeting venues, accommodations, caterers, restaurants, and select services that make our region's events unforgettable!

Let our city be “Your Gateway to More of Maine”. With renovated and new properties, a brand new arena and convention center, as well as multiple sizes of meeting spaces, and attractions, which are sure to enhance your visit; we invite you to meet in the Greater Bangor Region.

30 Lucky Attendees will receive a sneak-peek, hard-hat tour of the new Cross Insurance Center! Be sure to bring your closed-toed shoes and register today! www.VisitBangorMaine.com/AllRoads

Greater Bangor CVB Member Newsletter

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Welcome!

We wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the GBCVB’s new marketing section of our newsletter – Promote ME. We will be utilizing this space on our newsletter and a page on our website (www.VisitBangorMaine.com/Marketing) to keep our members up-to -date and informed of all the marketing opportunities available to you, exclusively.

Opportunities include, but are not limited to advertising (print & online), local area welcome bags, co-op advertising, special sponsorship opportunities, and more.

Help us, help your business!

Promote ME—the GBCVB Marketing Corner

During the past few months our marketing committee has been working very diligently on creating a marketing calendar for 2013 and we are very excited to share the upcoming promotions with our membership! The committee has put together a short survey that we would like to ask for your participation in. As a destination marketing organization, we are looking to gain a better understanding of your needs, and this is the first step in that process. Here is a link to the survey: www.VisitBangorMaine.com/MarketingSurvey. It is a short, eight question survey, and we thank you in advance for your input!

Member Spotlight—Twin Maple Outdoors Twin Maple Outdoors is a licensed and insured Maine Guide Service located in Bradford.

Offering full service hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation adventures.

They also host NRA firearm Safety Classes every

Saturday (advanced registration is required).

They will also be offering February and March ice fishing trips for lake trout and salmon. Trips are all inclusive with lunch for a full day of fishing for two.

Twin Maple Outdoors is also the only authorized dealer on the east coast for Anchor-Caddie products.

Check out their website at twinmapleoutdoors.com for pricing and other offered services.

Welcome New Members Twin Maple Outdoors - www.twinmapleoutdoors.com—A licensed and insured Maine Guide Service; offering over 35 years of fishing, hunting and Maine outdoor recreation experience to share with our customers. Featured in this month’s Member Spotlight Paychex - www.paychex.com—Offering payroll and payroll tax services, HR services, 401(k) plans, insurance and time and labor solutions. Also, provides free payroll quotes.

Anah Shriners - www.anahshriners.com—Anah Temple has seven regional Shrine Clubs: namely, Aroostook County Shrine Club, Bangor/Brewer Shrine Club, Hancock County Shrine Club, Northern Penobscot Shrine Club, Old Town/Orono Shrine Club, Schoodic Shrine Club, Tri-County Shrine Club, Waldo County Shrine Club and the Washington County Shrine Club.

There are 32 Units in Anah Temple, some with distinctive equipment such as lobster boats and miniature tractor trailers that participate in parades.

Continued on page 4

Top Ten Travel Destination for 2013—Northern Maine

Downtown Countdown

From Lonely Planet: Join us for New Years Eve in Downtown Bangor as we celebrate together and countdown to 2013.

“#7. Northern Maine— Moose, white water rafting, epic hiking. No, not the Rockies – we’re talking about Maine. Maine isn’t only lobster rolls, lighthouses and rocky shoreline. The woodsy interior, on the top half of the Maine ‘thumb’ reaching north to the Canada border, makes for a wilderness adventure. The Appalachian Trail begins/ends atop Mt Katahdin (which literally means ‘Mt Great Mountain’) in primitive Baxter State Park, with 200,000 acres of lakes and mountains to reach by hiking boot. Nearby is Moosehead Lake, home to a 99-year-old steamboat to ride, and the source of the Kennebec River, with great rafting opportunities at the Forks. To the north in remote Aroostook County, miles of old rail beds have been transformed into bike trails, and multi-day canoe trips can paddle you right up to the Canadian border.”

Downtown Countdown 2013 will feature a wide variety of events including music, performers, family activities, dining, dancing and more.

This years Countdown will also host a few new events including the Mr. & Mrs. Paul Bunyan Competition which is currently seeking entrants. The winners will receive a cash prize and win the opportunity to drop the ball from the Paddy Murphy’s roof at midnight!

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/traveltips-and-articles/77583#ixzz2EN8OraW3

www.CountdownBangor.com

Welcome New Members!

Greater Bangor Vacation Home Rentals – www.vacationhomerentals.com/vacation-rentals/Bangor-  Downeast-and-Acadia-Maine.htm—Choose from over 400 Bangor area and Maine vacation rentals by owner.

We specialize in waterfront properties throughout the Downeast and Acadia region.

The Sports Arena – www.thesportsarena.biz—Featuring pool, bowling, air hockey, arcade games, large screen TVs with Direct TVs Sports Pak (over 50 sports channels) and much more! Pat's Pizza and full bar service available. Check out our VIP Bowling Lanes. Now booking Holiday Parties - free room rental!

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Darling's – www.Darlings.com—Built around our commitment to customer satisfaction and employee well-being, Darling’s has grown to fourteen brands at six locations including Bangor, Ellsworth, and Augusta. With  the help of over 325 employees we want you to know we’re here to help you with your automotive needs and find solutions that work for you.

Member to Member Deals & Promotions for You! Oriental Jade - ‘Tis the Season, receive a FREE Lunch Buffet Card with every $35 in Gift Card Purchase now thru Dec 31, 2012 . Order online www.orientaljade.com, by phone 207.947.6969 or purchase at our restaurant . Open Christmas Day noon to 11 pm and Christmas Eve, 11 am – 9:30 pm. Oriental Jade, 178 Bangor Mall Blvd., Bangor, Maine, 04401.

Sea Dog Brewing - Bring in your gifts and we will wrap them – with donations being accepted for Bangor and Manna Ministries Inc. Thurs, Dec. 20 from 11am-7pm with Celebrity Bartenders; Fri-Sun, Dec. 21-23 from 11am4pm. Sunday is Men’s Wrapping Day! Watch the Patriots and Santa’s Hot Elves will be there. Each $10 donation earns you a raffle ticket for a local area gift basket valued at $1,350!!

Holiday Hours for Bangor Mall - Sundays until December 23rd—8am to 9pm; Monday through Saturday until December 22nd—8am to 10pm; Christmas Eve—8am-6pm; Closed on Christmas; December 26-29—10am-9pm.

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