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New England Society of CVBs Newsletter
Celebrating over 20 years as an organization
What's new for Meeting in New England
                                                                                                 August, 2008
In This Issue
Berkshires Visitors Bureau
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
Greater Boston CVB
Greater Hartford CVB
Greater Portland CVB
Gtr Merrimack Valley CVB
Mystic Country / CT
Newport County CVB
North of Boston CVB
Providence Warwick CVB
Greater Springfield CVB
Fairfield County CVB
Vermont Conv Bureau
Destination Worcester
QUICK LINKS
 
Mailing List
THE BERKSHIRES VISITORS BUREAU

snowy sunriseThe Berkshires Visitors Bureau, recently hosted the NESCVB board meeting to proudly showcase an area especially suited for meetings business.  To welcome the group, a private tour of the Norman Rockwell Museum (www.nrm.org) enabled them to discover one of America's greatest artists and a spectacular dinner hosted by The Red Lion Inn (www.Redlioninn.com) had the board raving about its legendary gracious service.  Both located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, they represent the best of New England!

Not to be outdone, the Board was then treated to all the amenities of the Cranwell Resort Spa and Golf Club in nearby Lenox. (www.Cranwell.com)  They had time to relax and experience what it feels like to meet at a spa resort.  It was unanimous that soaking in the spectacular views from the Mansion and pampering in the Spa invigorated members for a productive meeting.

A meeting or conference in The Berkshires gives your group a distraction-free environment for working and a hassle-free retreat for unwinding.  For more information visit www.Berkshires.org.

CAPE COD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
 
As the warm weather wanes and winter takes hold, a whole new season of activities and recreation takes hold on Cape Cod. From cranberry harvests, harvest festivals, Thanksgiving celebrations, Holidays by the Sea, Christmas Strolls and shopping become foremost in visitors' minds. First Night Chatham and Taste of Cape Cod events take center stage in January as do Presidents' Day weekends, when families and couples time off visit Cape shores to dine on fresh steaming seafood and walk our secluded, serene beaches. Of course, the Cape's 106 miles of dedicated cycling trails always offer great exercise and surreal winter beauty. St. Patrick's Day celebrations and parades bring the promise of spring and in April, early whale watches and seal cruises are great ways to enjoy the fledgling spring weather. The Cape's main streets and meandering Route 6A always offer superb shopping. Contact : Patti Lloyd@Sales@capecodchamber.org or go to www.capecodmeetings.com 

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GREATER BOSTON COVENTION
& VISITORS BUREAU
 
BostonUSAPicBostonUSA Fall 2008 news: Great fall lineup! Boston Arts Festival on Waterfront Park Sept. 12-14; Boston Fashion Week Sept. 12-19, 2008; 5th RiverSing on Weeks Footbridge celebrates the first evening of Autumn Sept. 21; the 29th Octoberfest & Honk Festival  in Harvard Square Cambridge Oct. 12; Boston Ballet opens 45th season with "Cinderella" Oct. 16-26; 8th Beantown Jazz Festival 3-day music fest spread over six blocks in the South End Sept.; and the Boston Symphony Orchestra opens their 2008-2009 Season on Sept. 24th. The Celebration of Rose Kennedy Greenway completion is set for Oct. 4, 2008 will also include "Illuminale-Boston 08" a ten (10) building and landmark lighting that will begin at dusk on Oct. 1, 2008:  Click to view: 2008 Events at a Glance (updated schedule of  Fall 2008 events) www.bostonusa.com 

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GREATER HARTFORD CONVENTION
& VISITORS BUREAU
 
A V.F.W. Salute will be held September 26-28 at Brainard Field in Hartford to honor Connecticut's military veterans.  Attendees will enjoy skydivers, aircraft fly-overs, military artifact displays and vintage aircraft flight demonstrations.  Continue the weekend by attending the Pipes In The Valley Celtic Festival, a celebration held on East Hartford's riverfront with bagpipers, Celtic fiddling, Scottish drumming, step dancing and kids activities.  New England's premier meeting venue, the Connecticut Convention Center, will host the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials' week-long annual meeting and trade fair beginning October 16.  The 94th annual event will include educational workshops, demonstrations and exposition by industry professionals.
 

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CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU OF GREATER PORTLAND

Portland Welcomes New Ferry Terminal
The high-speed ferry The Cat departed May 30 with its first load of passengers from Portland's new Ocean Gateway terminal. The Cat will run routes between Portland and Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia daily.  The city expects 32 cruise ship visits this year, and a visitor Center operated by the Convention and Vistors Bureau will be on site to greet passengers and visitors. Barbara Whitten, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland, said Ocean Gateway will make a "spectacular first impression"
on new visitors to Portland.
 
For Cat Ferry information and schedule, go to: http://www.catferry.com

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GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
 
Come to Lowell, Ma. for the Massachusetts Poetry Festival: October 10-11, 2008
 
Lowell, Ma. will host the first ever Massachusetts Poetry Festival October 10-11, 2008. Festival activities include readings, workshops and panel discussions that focus on creating conversations between writers, educators and poetry enthusiasts. We hope you'll join us at the inaugural celebration of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival. For additional information visit www.merrimackvalley.org
 
Gtr Merrimack Valley 

MYSTIC COUNTRY ~ CONNECTICUT
 
The MGM Grand at Foxwoods has opened with 825 new guest rooms, 115,000 additional square feet of meeting space, a 50,000 square-foot column-free ballroom, a 4,000-seat theater, restaurants, casino, spa and a new high-end retail concourse. MGM Grand at Foxwoods is a dynamic entertainment powerhouse that offers the utmost in luxury and cutting-edge technology to accommodate meetings and events of any size and type.

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At Mystic Seaport, the Museum of America and the Sea, the Steamship Sabino turns 100 this year. And it's the 20th anniversary of the movie Mystic Pizza which starred a young Julia Roberts. You can still get "a slice of heaven" in downtown Mystic.
 
            Visit www.mysticcountry.com to plan your stay.

 
NEWPORT COUNTY CONVENTION
& VISITORS BUREAU 
 
In Newport, RI, fall is the perfect season to get outdoors and enjoy the many outdoor attractions and autumn festivals.  For a new perspective of this historic city, see it from the sea.  The Gansett tours five historic lighthouses, the Schooner Aquidneck offers a Tall Ship style sailing experience and the Majestic is Newport's only dinner cruise vessel.  For unique opportunities on land, head to the hiking trails of the Norman Bird Sanctuary, a 300+ acre nature preserve.  Local farms with quaint shops like Sweet Berry Farm are also ideal for enjoying the crisp, fall air, while picking the freshest local apples and fall vegetables.  http://www.GoNewport.com
 

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NORTH OF BOSTON CONVENTION
& VISITORS BUREAU 

Topsfield Fair ~ Celebrate the fall at the nation's oldest North of Boston PICagricultural fair, this annual celebration runs from October 3rd - 13th, 2008. The Fair features a special "must see" presentation by the world-famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police performing on horse back accompanied by music. The 'Giant Pumpkin Contest' is also a fair favorite where growers attempt to set world records and vie for the title of the "largest pumpkin." For more information about the Topsfield Fair visit www.topsfieldfair.org.
 
Haunted Happenings ~ Known as "America's Halloween Festival" this annual month-long "spooktacular" celebration takes place from October 1st - November 1st, 2008 in the city of Salem. Revelers from all over the US and the world flock to the city to discover the magic of Salem through a variety of activities. The festivities kick-off with a grand parade procession filled with pageantry, costumes, and music.

For more information about Haunted Happenings visit:
PROVIDENCE WARWICK CONVENTION
& VISITORS BUREAU 

On September 4-7, some of the nation's best senior athletes will descend upon Providence, unleashing their athletic prowess the National Senior Games' Championship Festival and the Euflexxa Hockey Championships.  The event will feature billiards, team bowling, ice hockey, pickleball and weightlifting.  The NSGA Festival and Euflexxa Hockey Championships is expected to draw more than 3,000 people to the Ocean State.

"The Games will be a great spectacle, great for the Providence economy and a great inspiration for all of us who want to stay healthy and active throughout our lives," said Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline of the event.

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GREATER SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION
& VISITORS BUREAU
 
Top convention sites, accommodations and a world of fun await you in Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley (www.valleyvisitor.com).  We've got plenty of exciting events in the fall and winter!  Visitors to The Big E (9/12-28) enjoy agricultural exhibits, rides, crafts and food in addition to the Fair's daily parade (www.thebige.com).  Come see the cute and spooky, as well as the deeply creepy, at Six Flags New England's Fright Fest each weekend in October (www.sixflags.com/newengland).  The holiday spirit comes alive at Bright Nights at Forest Park (11/26-1/3) where you can enjoy more than 600,000 festive lights along a 2.5-mile route (www.brightnights.org). 
 
http://www.valleyvisitor.com/
FAIRFIELD COUNTY CONVENTION
& VISITORS BUREAU 

"Take a bite out of Big Apple prices" is Fairfield County CVB's message in their new ad campaign.  In addition to saving up to 50% or more on NYC hotel rates, there is also an incentive to book a meeting in Fairfield County by March 1, 2009. Groups that book a minimum of 25 rooms per night will receive a daily complimentary coffee service during their meeting. For list of participating hotels contact Fairfield County CVB.

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VERMONT CONVENTION BUREAU
 
Consider Vermont for your Next Meeting or Event! Vermont PicImpressive meetings begin with an exceptional setting and the scenic beauty of Vermont is legendary.  Vermont meeting venues offer a broad variety of inspiring locations for conferences and events of all sizes from quaint country village inns to urban city hotels to luxurious mountain or lakeside resorts all combined with high-tech meeting capabilities. Vermont boasts four-season recreation, first-class culinary options and a multitude of highly rated attractions, festivals and events. In Vermont you have a destination that not only meets your needs but one that exceeds your expectations!
 
        For more information: www.vermontmeetings.com

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DESTINATION WORCESTER 

Worcester is always an exciting place to meet and visit.  This fall there are a number of festivals and events that are well worth the visit!  Canal Fest in the Canal District, the Festival of Ale at the Higgins Armory and the US Army's Spirit of America are just a few events that make Worcester a great destination.  For more details on what's happening in Worcester visit www.DestinationWorcester.org and visit our Calendar of Events, Dining Guide and Attractions Listing.

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Sincerely,
 
Patti Lloyd, President
Phone:  508-362-9351
 
 
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