PUBLIC RELATIONS UPDATE:
April media coverage tells New Haven's story in many languages
Last year at this time the Greater New Haven CVB and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism hosted the Discover New England (DNE) Tourism Summit. Thanks to our associates at DNE, German travel writer Verena Wolff visited New Haven and is returning in May. Click here for the link to her article about New Haven and Yale. If you'd like a copy of the translated version, send a note to Suzette Benitez.
Last month Mari Sakamoto a reporter/photographer for New York Japion (Japanese tabloid that reaches 23,000 weekly readers) was hosted by the GNHCVB. She wrote an extensive three page cover story complete with 15 wonderful images, encouraging travelers to explore New Haven. Click here to request a copy of the article by Sakamoto. The article is being translated by the Yale Visitors Center. Thank you Nancy Franco!
Two other recently published articles (in English) promote New Haven as a food destination and
a bird-watchers paradise. Click here for New Haven for foodies in The Record and also published on-line: NorthJersey.com. The total circulation for this media hit: 195,000 with an estimated free publicity value of $31,000. Enjoy Valerie A. Russo's story in AAA Journeys about how bird-watchers are flocking to New England by clicking here. |
MARKETING UPDATES:
GNHCVB dives into new media: Twitter and Facebook
In addition to placing ads in our traditional media outlets like USA Weekend and other newspaper travel inserts, the GNHCVB is exploring the social media avenues for reaching potential visitors and media. After just one week, the CVB Facebook page has 100 fans signed up and we are getting great feedback on the events being posted. If you are a Facebook user, simply type VisitNewHaven in the search box and join in on the conversation.
The GNHCVB has also established a presence on the fastest growing social media network, Twitter. To date, the CVB has 651 followers and averages 100 new followers every 7 to 10 days. If you are a Twitter user click here to get in on the action.
To further assist constituents, the GNHCVB will be hosting a Social Media Summit at the offices of the Greater New Haven CVB on Friday, May 1 at 1:30pm. If you'd like to attend and learn how you can benefit from taping into the social media community, contact Amy Healy.
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SALES UPDATE:
AAU local tournaments are preview of multi-sports event coming this summer
Show your support and get a preview of the AAU action by attending these upcoming tournaments in the local area:
CT AAU Girls Basketball Championships, April 24-26, 2009
Team Connecticut Elm City Classic, May 16 & 17, 2009
Meet CT AAU Governor Jack Bethke at the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Sports Council meeting this Wednesday, April 22 at 8am at the GNH Chamber office, 900 Chapel St., for an update of the AAU Northeast Zone Championships (July 1-7, 2009) and to learn about sponsorship opportunities. Free for Chamber members; $10 for the general public.
GNHCVB suit up for industry trade shows
National Association of Sports Commissions will be held in Denver, April 27-29 and sports marketing manager, Tangier Pritchett will be in attendance. She has scheduled appointments with more than a dozen sports event planners ranging from skating and volleyball to tennis and lacrosse. Watch for updates on bid packets and potential sales leads in the near future.
Also in the works is attendance at the ASAE (American Society of Association Executives) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Toronto, August 15-18, 2009. The GNHCVB will be re-visiting the meetings market with many new hotels and a vibrant downtown to brag about.
And to cover all bases.......Amy Healy, GNHCVB group sales manager will be teaming up with the Coastal Fairfield County CVB to host meeting planners from the Baltimore area at an Orioles vs. Yankees game on May 9.
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GREATER NEW HAVEN CVB SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- The 2009/2010 Greater New Haven Visitors Guide is now available. During the next two weeks an ample supply of Visitor Guides will be delivered to local hotels, attractions, libraries, town halls and transportation outlets throughout the Greater New Haven region. Please let Suzette Benitez know if you did not receive your supply or if you would like additional copies.
- The Hilton Garden Inn Milford officially opened March 19 with 120 guestrooms, restaurant, bar and 2400 square feet of meeting space. Welcome to the Greater New Haven tourism region! We look forward to supporting your sales and marketing efforts.
Save the Dates:
- Connecticut Conference on Tourism: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 from 11am to 9pm at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.
Join fellow tourism associates for a comprehensive day of educational workshops and insightful speakers. Take away innovative tools and the latest information to improve your productivity and profitability. Register at CelebrateTourism.com or call 860-444-0448 for more information.
- GNHCVB Annual Meeting: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
- CT Open House Day: Saturday, June 13, 2009
Connecticut Lodging Association
Responds to Challenging Times for Industry
NEW HAVEN, CT - The Connecticut Lodging Association (CLA) has selected Ginny Kozlowski as the new Executive Director effective April 20, 2009. Under a contractual agreement with the Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau (GNHCVB), the CLA will look to further their successful initiatives and create new programs to address these challenging times for lodging owners and managers. Capitalizing on the natural synergy between the two organizations, this collaboration will utilize the depth and breadth of the GNHCVB's resources to fulfill the CLA's mission of being a strong advocate for the hotels, motels, inns and bed & breakfast properties and by providing educational and networking opportunities for it members.
"The GNHCVB was a natural fit for our association management needs with their turnkey operation and readiness to respond," said Chuck Moran, President of CLA and General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Cromwell.
First order of business during the transition phase will be to identify the immediate needs of its hotel membership and address the critical issues facing the lodging industry.
"We are looking forward to collaborating with our industry partners and advancing the mission of CLA," said Ginny Kozlowski, President/CEO of GNHCVB. "In these trying economic times, we need to leverage our collective knowledge and resources so we can reposition the organization as the recognized voice of the industry in Connecticut. We are looking forward to continuing the CLA's role in advocating for the lodging industry while expanding the role CLA plays in joint sales and marketing ventures for our members," said Kozlowski. |
CONNECTICUT TOURISM UPDATES:
April 21st Deadline for Connecticut Open House Day Directory Listings!
Act now to be included in 100,000 copies of the Open House Day Directory which will be distributed to select households in the New Haven Register and Hartford Courant.
The Commission on Culture & Tourism (CCT) is sponsoring the 5th annual Connecticut Open House Day on Saturday, June 13. The one-day statewide event is designed to showcase Connecticut's diverse world of history, art, film and tourism to Connecticut residents. Last year more than 250 participants rolled out the welcome mat to state residents with special incentives such as free or discounted admission, special activities or exhibits and/or free gifts. Sign up forms received after the April 21st deadline will be added to the online listings directory posted on www.CTvisit.com. Visit here for details on how to participate, along with valuable resources to make your Open House Day a success!
Get Your Supply of Guides Free
The new 2009 Connecticut Vacation Guide and Culture & Event Calendar published by the CCT are available in quantity to attractions, lodging, culture and tourism organizations for distribution to visitors. To obtain bulk quantities, the CCT offers three options in light of state budget constraints. Materials must be pre-ordered and can be picked-up at the following locations:
April 27 @ Mobile Service Station, Fairfield (Merritt Pkwy. (Rte. 15) Northbound, between exits 45 & 46)
April 28 @ Park and Ride Lot, Torrington (Rte. 8 Northbound exit 42)
For all locations, the pick-up hours are scheduled from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
You can also pick up a supply from the Hartford office or you can opt to receive a supply through the mail by paying a shipping cost per bundle of 20. Visit here for details and order forms.
Post Specials and Packages on www.CTvisit.com Free
In a market more and more driven by deals and perceived value, it is important to create and market inventive packages to further entice visitors and media interest in your property and Connecticut. Post specials and packages on the state's official tourism website managed by the CCT and reach more than 1.4 million visitors to CTvisit.com Once posted, your specials become eligible to be included in press releases, advertisements, and tourism e-newsletters distributed to more than 400,000 opt-in subscribers every month.
Click here for great package examples: The Farmington Inn's "Art Lover's Getaway"; "Connecticut Wine Country Experience" offered by the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa; and "A Mid-Summer's Day Dream" complete with carriage ride at The Interlaken Inn.
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