What's New
City of Portland Awards CVB
The City of Portland and the Portland Development Corporation presented the Convention & Visitors Bureau with the 2011 Economic Development Achievement Award, on November 30, 2011 at Ocean Gateway, for its annual Harvest on the Harbor event.
Barbara Whitten, President of the CVB: “It is truly an honor to be recognized by the city for our role in economic development and, more importantly, to recognize the hospitality industry for the significant role it plays as an economic engine in our community. As a destination marketing organization, the role of the Convention & Visitors Bureau is to enhance the economic climate of the Greater Portland Region through tourism development.
On an annual basis nearly 5,000 people participate in Harvest on the Harbor from 38 states and 5 countries, generating an economic impact of approximately $2 million.
Nearly $300,000 are spent to promote culinary travel and Harvest on the Harbor. We have been extremely fortunate to have major sponsors like Down East Magazine, the Portland Press Herald, Time Warner Cable, WHOM Radio, and the Maine Office of Tourism along with countless others who generously provide the marketing resources necessary to attract visitors, especially in our shoulder season."
Thank you to all involved! Mark your calendars for next year's Harvest on the Harbor, October 25-27, 2012
Convention Update
Elissa English Joins the CVB
The CVB welcomed Elissa English to the Convention Sales Team on December 1st. Elissa is a Maine native who started her hotel career in Palm Beach, Florida and most recently worked for Ocean Properties.
Welcome Elissa!
Sports Marketing - TEAMS ’11
On October 3-6, 2011, Sheila Nee, accompanied by Kerrie Tripp, Executive Director of the Greater Bangor CVB, attended TEAMS ’11 in Las Vegas.
While on the tradeshow floor, Kerrie and Sheila wore donated shirts from local teams; the Maine Red Claws, University of Maine Black Bears, and the Portland Pirates were all well represented. A new sports-oriented display, designed and provided by the Maine Office of Tourism, created a colorful backdrop for many engaging conversations promoting the state as a sports destination. Site visits by some rights holders are being scheduled for this coming year, while this exciting market continues to thrive nationwide.
To keep those conversations moving forward, a team will be representing Maine at the National Association of Sports Commissions tradeshow being held next April in nearby Hartford, Connecticut.
Destination Weddings
The Destination Wedding market for Maine has been on the rise for a few years now. The CVB has seen an increase in inquiries for wedding assistance.
In response, we recently increased our wedding presence on Visitportland.com and have added a numerous amount of member listings and informational content for couples.
In addition, Celeste Reali will be inviting several CVB members to a Boston-based wedding tradeshow taking place in January. If you would like more information, please contact Celeste.
Be on the lookout for the next Real Maine Weddings Magazine edition as Portland will be announced as the 2012 destination for the $100,000 Wedding Giveaway. Engaged couples may enter for their opportunity to win soon.
Tourism Update
Visitor Information Stats
Our Visitor Information Specialists assisted over 187,400 travelers, which is an increase of 8.6 % over 2010.
(# of Visitors Assisted)
Ocean Gateway ------ 29,900
Long Wharf ------ 23,500
Int'l Jetport ------ 78,950
Deering Oaks ------ 24,665
Cruise Ships ------ 30,425
Don't forget to keep us stocked with your brochures. To inquire about our remaining inventory or send additional brochures please contact our Information Center Manager: Jenn Tomlinson.
Public Relations Update
Portland, Maine Featured...
Outside Magazine names Portland, Maine as one of the top 10 "Best Towns Ever". Watch Outside Television speak about the "two Portlands" and hear amazing comments on our fabulous city!
Self Magazine names Portland, Maine "One of the Most Blissful Cities." View Article
AARP seeks out most affordable places to retire, and Portland, Maine makes the top of the list! View Article
Membership Update
Member Referral Bonus
We would like to reward our faithful members who assist us in adding new businesses to our organization. Joining the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau not only supports and boosts the local community effort, but it provides your business with direct, targeted exposure to new customers!
Do you know a friend or local business that could benefit from all the marketing opportunities presented by the CVB? Refer a new business to Vanessa Pike, our CVB Membership Director, and when they join we’ll show our appreciation by profiling your business in the CVB newsletter. What a great way to share your story and contribute to our mission.
We are pleased to announce that we have added 72 new members this year to our CVB community. As we continue to grow and showcase so many tourism opportunities, Greater Portland and the surrounding area becomes more and more enticing to consumers, planners, and tour operators. Working together, we can continue this momentum of expanding our base and luring traffic to our state.
2012 Visitors Guide Discount
Reserve Space Before December 19th and Save 3%
We are now reserving space for the 2012 Visitors Guide. Last year we moved up the production schedule to meet the increased demand by visitors and we intend on meeting that schedule again this year. Ad sales will close on January 23rd, so don’t miss out. Early bird specials will only be available until December 19th - so book now and save 3%.
Did you know?
An interactive version of the Visitor’s Guide is online at www.visitportland.com; this assures your print advertising dollars are also working to increase your web traffic.
The CVB is a not-for-profit organization and every dollar you spend with us goes right back into marketing the Greater Portland Region as a world class tourism destination. Think global, buy local!
Contact Liam Somers to reserve your space today.
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