March 18, 2008 | Volume 3, Issue 18

GNHCVB HOSTS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WRITER: STORY POSTED ONLINE

New Haven was a stop along the route for international travel writer, Harriet O’Brien visiting Connecticut last month. Ms. O’Brien was commissioned by the Independent Traveller, a London-based online travel publication, to explore women’s heritage in Connecticut. Along the way she visited New Haven and Yale. Although unrelated to her quest, Ms O’Brien appreciated the artistry of the Yale student’s remake of Nathan Hale into Lady Liberty (see adjacent photo). In her story she captured the essence of “Connecticut's female 'architects of society' that helped create today's International Women's Day.” Click here for the complete story and visitor highlights.

NEW ENGLAND CULINARY TOURISM SYMPOSIUM: REGISTRATION OPEN!

The Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau and Market New Haven encourage area hotels, restaurants and attractions to join their New England counterparts in discovering the benefits of promoting Greater New Haven as a food destination! Come learn how other communities have made culinary tourism a staple of their city or town. Register today for two full days of culinary tourism exploration and celebration at the New England Culinary Tourism Symposium

COMMISSION ON CULTURE & TOURISM ANNOUNCES 2008 GOVERNOR’S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN CULTURE AND TOURISM

On April 9, 2008 individuals from the arts, history, tourism and film industries will come together for an evening of celebration during the 2008 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Culture & Tourism, presented by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism (CCT). The awards ceremony will take place in the atrium of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The evening begins with the awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. followed by a reception at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, however, seating is limited. Join the Board of Directors and staff of the Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau as we congratulate local honorees: Roslyn Milstein Meyer, New Haven; Jean M. Handley, Guilford; and Anne Tyler Calabresi, Woodbridge, co-founders of and volunteers with the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. For a complete list of the honorees visit CCT website here.

CCT INVITES TOURISM PARTNERS TO JOIN IN CONNECTICUT OPEN HOUSE DAY, JUNE 14

Join fellow hotel, restaurant and attraction owners and operators in being part of Connecticut Open House Day, Saturday, June 14, 2008. The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism created this event as a way for residents to discover or rediscover the wealth of treasures in our own backyard. To learn more about how to become a participating property for the 4th annual event click here.

DEBORAH MELE WINS NATIONAL AWARD: GROUP SALES EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR FOR OMNI HOTELS

Debbie Mele, group sales manager for the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale was the 2007 recipient for Group Sales Executive of the Year for Omni Hotels. This distinction is given each year to one property sales manager who exemplifies a quality sales professional. Debbie achieved her personal sales goal, assisted the team in achieving the team goal, and remains involved in the community and industry as well as goes above and beyond expectations. Debbie received her award in Cancun at the Sales Incentive Celebration this winter. Congratulations to Debbie from her tourism partners here in Greater New Haven.

GET YOUR EVENTS POSTED ON THESE FREE PROMINENT WEBSITES

Attention all event planners for the Greater New Haven region! Get your event listed on the local INFO New Haven website by logging on www.infonewhaven.com. Click on “events calendar” and place your own event online. Likewise, you can add your event to a newly developed local events and activities site by visiting www.whofish.org and click on “add your event.” You can easily contribute your events, news, business or other information that you wish to share with your community. You don’t need to register and it is free!