What's New
Harvest on the Harbor will Infuse $2 Million into the Local Economy
Harvest on the Harbor is expected to bring more than 5,000 people into the region and induse over $2 million into the local economy during the three day event, taking place on October 20-22. The Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau created this event with three primary purposes in mind:
- To position our destination as a premier site for the culinary traveler,
- To celebrate our talented chefs and locally produced products, and
- To attract visitors to the region after the busy summer and fall foliage seasons.
Tickets have been purchased from 28 states, Canada, UK, Bermuda, and the Netherlands. In addition, 9 travel journalists will be in attendance to cover this event and keep the culinary travel buzz going long after the event.
We invite our accommodation members to develop Harvest Hotel Packages, our attraction members to develop Harvest Happenings, and our restaurant members to develop Harvest Dining Packages - all of which can be posted on the Harvest on the Harbor website. Contact Ally Goddard for more details.
Two of the six events are already sold out! Go to Harvest on the Harbor to learn more about the event and to purchase your tickets.
Membership Update
Maine Invites You...the State Travel Planner
Maine Invites You is the Official State Travel Planner. With a distribution of 300,000 and an on-line distribution of 50,000 this is a key publication for you to be featured in.
The Maine Office of Tourism conducted a focus group and there was a common factor amongst the group...it is a valuable tool!
"My wife and I use this guide every year to assist us in planning our Maine Vacation...and yes, we look at the advertisements...it helps to see the photos within the ads and not just look at a listing."
Michael, New York, NY
The Greater Portland Region features a co-op within Maine Invites You. If you would like to be included please contact Liam Somers .
Deadline for advertising is October 5th!
Tourism Update
CVB Educates Japanese Tour Operators on Maine
Japan Airlines announces that they will begin a non-stop flight from Tokyo to Boston starting in the spring of 2012! The CVB, along with 20 additional New England hospitality professionals attended a presentation with 40 Los Angeles based Tour Operators in attendance on September 13th. This presentation was designed to educate the tour operators about the New England area for the expected influx of Japanese traveling to New England.
The event was incredibly successful and several of them have already started with their itinerary plans for New England.
CVB Promotes Your Packages to Consumers
This year we have launched a new vacation package section on VisitPortland.com. We encourage our members to load their vacation packages seasonally. (Log into your membership account to load packages) In addition...don't forget your coupons & "Hot Deals" - (hot deals are designed to assist you in supplementing your business during your down time)
Throughout this year we have promoted these packages, coupons, and hot deals to the traveling consumer. In February and again in June we sent out an e-blast to over 20,000 potential travelers. As the year progresses we will continue to send to inquiring visitors. So...load your deals!
Public Relations Update
Whoopie Pies or Man's Best Friend?
Our public relations department has assisted over 60 travel writers this summer season.
There were two big themes this summer, whoopie pies and dogs! People Magazine touched on the battle between Maine and Pennsylvania over who created the original whoopie pie. A delicious recipe and quote were provided by Portland’s very own Two Fat Cats Bakery.
AAA Northern New England also published an article declaring whoopie pies as Maine’s official state treat. This designation from the Maine House of Representatives began the official debate between Maine and Pennsylvania. To show that Maine is serious about the whoopie pie, Amy Bouchard of Wicked Whoopies baked a 5’ diameter, 1,062 lb. whoopie pie in March.
Dogs also played a big role in the media this summer. For their October issue, Fido Friendly named their 50 Best of 2011. Portland, Maine and multiple local businesses were named amongst the honorees. AAA of Northern New England published a “Must Love Dogs” article in their August issue. Amongst the mentioned were L.L. Beans, Inn By the Sea and Lobster Shack at Two Lights for being dog friendly.
Ed Wetschler Executive Editor of the travel blog Tripatini.com brought along his family dog along for the ride on their summer trip to Maine. They stayed at Inn By the Sea, and to quote Ed Wetschler, “Inn By the Sea is always dog friendly, but in October, not only is the beach open to dogs, but for the last two weeks of the month the pool goes to the dogs. Literally.”
Convention Sales Update
Convention Sales on the Road
HSMAI’s MEET/Affordable Meetings, September 7 & 8, 2011
Rob Carlson, Convention Sales Manager, teamed up with Elissa English of Marriott at Sable Oaks/Samoset, Cindy Mastrella of Spruce Point Inn and Linda Orr of the Eastland Park Hotel, for this annual tradeshow based in DC. The booth had great placement and exposure; the team effectively networked with over 60 valuable planners from the association, government and corporate markets. Brochures were on display from Chebeague Island Inn, Dunegrass Country Club and Banquet Facility, Kittery Premium Outlets, Marriott Residence Inn Downtown Portland, Nonantum Resort, Portland Schooner Company, Purpoodock Club and Wicked Walking Tours. Thank you to Harbor Fish Market who provided a giveaway of a lobster to a lucky planner “from away.”
TEAMS ’11, October 3 – 6, 2011 Maine. Sports. A Natural Fit.
Kerrie Tripp, Executive Director of the Greater Bangor CVB will join Sheila Nee, Director of Convention Sales, at TEAMS ’11, Las Vegas, to continue promoting Maine as a sports destination. This tradeshow will provide the opportunity to cultivate relationships and further elevate the region’s presence and image in the market. Our state’s diverse natural spaces, and varying styles and sizes of facilities, will be marketed to well-matched sports events organizers. Industry news continues to illustrate that the sports tourism market is continuing to grow. In response to this trending, the Maine Office of Tourism continues to provide valuable support to the CVBs’ efforts in bringing events to the state.
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