What's New & "CVB On The Road"
Maine Sports Commission...It's Official
Seven tourism regions (including the Greater Portland region) have officially formed the Maine Sports Commission, a 501-C6 marketing organization that is designed to attract new sports events and increase the economic impact from existing sports related events.
According to the National Association of Sports Commissions, the sports marketing business is estimated to be worth more than $7 billion and includes more than 3,500 sporting events looking for host destinations. Maine is about to increase this lucrative business with the newly formed Maine Sports Commission.
Currently, Maine has enjoyed the benefits of hosting major sporting events from US Region One Soccer in Southern Maine to the Biathlon in Northern Maine. There are also a wide variety of very lucrative smaller events from beach volleyball to dogsled races, and everything in between. In 2013, the LPGA Futures Tour will take place at the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth, a direct result of the effort to attract new sports business to Maine.
Maine is ideally positioned to become the outdoor capital of Northern New England. Developing a sports marketing initiative is an opportunity for all of us, regionally and statewide, to substantially grow the tourism industry in Maine. Sports marketing will fill need periods with clean, environmentally friendly, economically sustainable new business.
For more information contact Barbara Whitten.
CVB "On the Road"
The professional marketing staff at the CVB is “On the Road” promoting our region and our members.
Sports. NASC Sports Event Symposium is being held in Hartford, Connecticut April 17-19, 2012. Our presence at this and TEAMS is generating new business in the very lucrative sports industry.
Leisure. The Boston Globe Travel Show, February 10-12, 2012 and the New York Times Travel Show, March 2-4, 2012 allows us to present compelling information to thousands of visitors, in our primary markets, who currently are planning upcoming vacations.
Motorcoach. Between the National Tour Association (NTA) December 5-8, 2011 and the American Bus Association (ABA) January 7-11, 2012 we met with over 140 domestic tour operators bringing their tour buses to Maine.
International. The Discover New England Summit will take place in Boston March 26-28, 2012. This summit draws 90 international tour operators, receptive tour operators, and travel writers from 10 countries. All of these highly qualified operators are here specifically to learn more about each of the New England States. We will also attend International Pow Wow which draws over 1200 operators from over 70 countries!
Media. The New York Media Marketplace is organized by the Maine Office of Tourism and Nancy Marshall Communications. The marketplace brings together over 80 media professionals from the New York Market for a “Taste of Maine” reception and offers them the opportunity to speak with Maine businesses and destinations to generate story ideas.
Convention Update
New Event Planner's Guide
New edition of the CVB Event Planner’s Guide now available!
A slick, newly designed Event Planner’s Guide is now being offered as a reference to meeting planners who contact the CVB.
The Convention Sales Team offers complimentary services to all planner's who need assistance finding that perfect place in Maine as well as the complementing services needed for a successful meeting.
The Event Planner's Guide is an ideal tool to assist planners, and is mailed to them or can be found online.
Check out the online version of the guide.
Maine In Manhattan
Want to have more visibility in the market that made up 20% of the overnight stays in Maine last year?
Join the CVB for Maine in Manhattan...we will be entertaining qualified planners to mingle amongst our members for an elegant reception on May 23 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
This audience will be there specifically with the intent to explore Maine as a destination; you couldn’t ask for a more qualified audience!
Deadline to register is by 12 noon, Monday, February 13. Please email Elissa with any questions or call 207.772.4994 ext. 227.
Tourism Update
Ocean Gateway Opens for the Season
Our downtown Visitor Center location at 14 Ocean Gateway will reopen for the season on March 1.
We need your brochures! For a suggested quantity please call Jennifer Tomlinson at 207.772.5800, or email her at jtomlinson@visitportland.com.
Brochures may be mailed or delivered to Ocean Gateway after March 1 between 9:00am - 4:00pm, Monday - Friday.
Industry Research, Trends, and Outlook
2012 Outlook for the National and Regional Lodging Industry
Presented by: Matt Arrants
Pinnacle Advisory Group
Matt gives an overview of the lodging industry for 2011 and projects the upcoming 2012 season with a special attention on New England.
Chinese travelers are seeing the USA in record numbers
By Roger Yu
USA TODAY
Indicative of the growth and potential: In the first 10 months of 2011, visits from mainland Chinese rose 36% year-over-year to 940,000, according to the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Research and Trends
Dr. Suzanne Cook
US Travel Association
A comprehensive 2011/2012 outlook on the U.S. travel economy, hotel forecasts, business and meetings travel, leisure travel, tour operator outlooks and much more.
Meetings Industry Forecast 2012
by Michael J. Shapiro, Michael C. Lowe,
Lisa Grimaldi, and Sarah J.F. Braley
Meeting & Conventions
Optimism sets in for: Hotels, Airlines, Incentives, Tradeshows, Conference Centers.
Preview 2012: The Executive View
By Arnie Weissmann
Travel Weekly
Travel Weekly Editor in Chief Arnie Weissmann spoke with executives in every segment of the industry, (including Marriott International, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Priceline, Virgin Atlantic Airways and more) and explored what they expect in 2012
Public Relations Update
Results Are In...
Portland, Maine is delighted that it was voted onto several honorable lists by Travel + Leisure readers...
The city was #15 on the list for “America’s Techiest Cities”, citing convenient WiFi and cool iPhone/iPad apps like iLobster.
It’s no surprise that Portland showed up on the list of “Best Cities for Foodies” with all of its incredible culinary talent and independent restaurants.
However, you might be shocked to know that it was also voted #1 for the city with the best drivers, and maybe not so shocked for its ranking of #3 for its microbrews, and #11 on the list of “America’s Strangest People", for its unique blend of fishermen, artists, and businessmen.
Our Members on Social Media
We want to help spread the news about our CVB Members. If you haven't found us on Facebook yet, check us out and hopefully you will "LIKE US" .
- Have an upcoming event?
- Want to get the word out about changes in your business?
- Do you have a question or accolades about tourism, the hospitality industry, or the Greater Portland area?
Please post directly to our page. If you have anything you would like us to post on your behalf, please contact Ally Goddard.
You can now also follow the CVB on twitter - PortlandMeCVB
Membership Update
Check Your Visitor Guide Listing
The 2012 edition of the Convention & Visitors Bureau VISITOR’S GUIDE is heading to the press soon!
180,000 copies of this guide are distributed around the country – and beyond; make your best and most accurate impression!
If you have not yet approved your listing, or you still have changes to be made, contact the Membership Department immediately!
A limited amount of advertisement space may be available, send inquiries to Advertising Manager.
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Visitor's Guide Requests from travelers are up 103% for January 2012 over January 2011.
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