Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau to
participate in “Tourism Day” at State House

Springfield, MA (5/7/12) – On Wednesday, May 9, Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) President Mary Kay Wydra will join state tourism leaders and legislators who will come together to foster awareness of Massachusetts’ third largest industry during Tourism Day at the State House in Boston.  Governor Deval L. Patrick and Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo are expected to speak at the event, which coincides with National Tourism Week.
 
Vital to the Commonwealth’s success, the Massachusetts tourism industry was responsible for more than 122,000 jobs and direct spending of $15.5 billion, bringing $1 billion in state and local tax revenue to the Commonwealth while paying out $3.5 billion in wages in CY2010.
 
To celebrate these achievements and the importance of the industry to the state, the Massachusetts Regional Tourism Councils, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), and the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts & Cultural Development are working together to present the event, which will be held from 10am-2pm in the Grand Staircase and Nurses Hall in the State House.
 
As part of the ceremonies, the Regional Tourism Councils will bestow their first ever Champions of Tourism Award to Rep. Joseph F. Wagner (D-Chicopee) and Sen. Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre).
 
“I’m thrilled that Chairman Wagner is one of the first two recipients of the Champions of Tourism Award,” said Wydra.  “He is among several members of the Pioneer Valley legislative delegation who have been staunch supporters of our industry, and he clearly recognizes its importance and economic impact on both a state and regional level.”
 
Wydra will be joined by GSCVB Director of Marketing Michele Goldberg as well as several members of the GSCVB board of directors including Chairman Peter Rosskothen of The Log Cabin/Delaney House, Robert Gilbert of Dowd Insurance, Greg Chiecko of Eastern States Exposition, Mike Hurwitz of the American Restaurant Corp., Dan Walsh of the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, Robert Schwarz of Peter Pan Bus Lines, Paul Gallo of Performance Foodservice, John Winkler and Jason Freeman of Six Flags New England, Matt Hollander of the MassMutual Center, Joan Stoia of Centennial House B & B, David Desmarais of Aladco Linen Co., Bruce Nable of SER Expo Services and Remo Pizzichemi of the Hampton Inn in West Springfield.
 
Plans for Tourism Day also include a showcase of regional food offerings and marketing programs from all sixteen designated regional tourism councils throughout the Commonwealth.  The event will also feature Massachusetts-themed fare from cider donuts to seafood and much, much more.  Wydra and Goldberg will bring Friendly’s Ice Cream product in honor of the company that was founded in Springfield in 1935.
 
The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.  For more information, visit www.valleyvisitor.com.

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 GSCVB Announces 17th Annual Howdy Awards Finalists

Springfield, MA-- (4/13/12)—The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) named forty-five individuals from throughout the Pioneer Valley as finalists for the 2012 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence.  The finalists were honored at a reception last night at The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, MA.  The awards program, now in its 17th year, was created by the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) to recognize front-line employees in the hospitality industry for providing outstanding service to their guests and customers.
 
The finalists, who represent a variety of businesses, organizations and activities from throughout Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, now move up to the next level of competition -- judging by a group of recognized industry professionals from outside the region.  The winners will then be announced and honored at a gala dinner and awards presentation on Tuesday, May 15, also at the Log Cabin.  On that night, a winner will be named in each of seven categories -- Accommodations, Attractions, Beverage, Food, Public Service, Retail/Business and Transportation.  A Spotlight Award, which recognizes individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the tourism industry in the Pioneer Valley, will also be presented that evening.

The Howdy Awards program not only recognizes accomplishments, professionalism and service in the local hospitality industry; it also provides career-enhancing credentials for winning recipients and additional marketing exposure for the businesses and services whose employees excel.

Sponsors for the 2012 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence include Aladco Linen Co., Baystate Health, CBS-3 Springfield, Eastern States Exposition, Freedom Credit Union, Global Spectrum, The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House/The Delaney House, MassLive.com, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Performance Foodservice, The Republican, WRNX-FM and Yankee Candle Company.  Each winner will receive an engraved Howdy Award for Hospitality Excellence, a lapel pin and a gift bag as well as a framed certificate recognizing their accomplishment.

Tickets to the Gala Dinner in May are $65.00 per person, and $625 for a table of ten.  For ticket information or more information regarding the Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence, call Lee Chambers at the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau at (413) 755-1345.

The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.  For more information, visit www.valleyvisitor.com.

Accommodations

Attractions

Beverage

Food

Public Service

Retail/Business

Transportation

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WOW Value Book Offers Discounts to Pioneer Valley
Attractions, Restaurants and More

Springfield, MA--(4/5/12) – The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) has produced the WOW Value Book, a collection of discount coupons for several of the Pioneer Valley’s leading attractions, restaurants, shops and more (full list of participants to follow).  Offers include “buy one/get one free” and other discounted admissions, lunch and dinner discounts and free appetizers.
 
Each of the offers highlighted in the coupon book are also available online by visiting www.valleyvisitor.com and clicking on “Download WOW Values.”
 
The book was created for both locals and tourists alike, according to GSCVB President Mary Kay Wydra.  “We wanted to produce the book for those who don’t have internet access, or the ability to print out the coupons,” she said.  “When people come to the Valley, whether it’s for leisure travel, for meetings, conventions or group tours, we’ll be able to put this booklet right in their hands, enabling them to patronize some of the top spots in our region and take advantage of terrific values, which they want.  With each request we get for the Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley Visitor Guide, we will also enclose this booklet.  For residents who are cutting back on their travel plans due to gas prices and other financial difficulties, this will make it less expensive for them to be a tourist in their own backyard.”
 
More than 12,500 copies of the WOW Value Book have been printed, containing offers that expire between June – December 2012.  This June, another 12,500 will roll off the presses with updated offers.  The semi-annual printing schedule will allow seasonal attractions in the region to have a presence in the book.
 
Among the many convention and meeting groups set to visit the Pioneer Valley in the months ahead are the Children’s Book Authors & Illustrators, the Association of Human Resources Management, the Sweet Adelines, the American Truck Historical Society, the Massachusetts Democratic Party, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America NE Synod and the New England Fire Chiefs.  The GSCVB will be handling hospitality duties to welcome these groups, and will offer them the book.
 
To request a copy of the WOW Value Book, go to www.valleyvisitor.com and click on “Request the Pioneer Valley Visitor Guide,” then enter a mailing address, or phone (413) 755-1345.
 
The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.

LISTING OF WOW VALUE BOOK’S CURRENT PARTICIPANTS:
Adolfo’s Ristorante
Artist Square Group Art Gallery
B’Sharas on Main
CityStage & Symphony Hall
Connecticut Science Center`
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Friendly’s
Frigo’s Foods
The Handbag Outlet
Horizons Restaurant & Bar
Interskate 91 South
Lee Premium Outlets
Nadim’s Mediterranean Grill
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Petra Hookah Lounge
Renew.calm
Six Flags New England
Springfield Museums
Storrowton Tavern & Carriage House
The Student Prince Café & The Fort Dining Room
White Hut (or White Hut Amherst)
The Zoo in Forest Park

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Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Hosts
MAAC Championship Pre-Con Pep Rally

Springfield, MA--(2/24/12) – The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) hosted a pre-con pep rally on February 23 at 3:00 p.m. at Adolfo’s Ristorante to celebrate the arrival of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship in Springfield, MA.  

The tournament, which takes place March 1-5 at the MassMutual Center, will mark the first of a three-year commitment to hold the championship in the city famed as the birthplace of the sport.  Event planners expect more than 20,000 people to attend the games.

The MAAC schedule, MAAC-related events and the importance of the Championship to the region were discussed at the pep rally, and speakers included GSCVB President Mary Kay Wydra, the MassMutual Center’s Assistant General Manager and Local Organizing Committee Chairman Joe Flanagan, and GSCVB Hospitality Coordinator Taryn Siciliano.  It was also announced that 10 leading Springfield restaurants would serve as a “host” restaurant for each of the 10 competing teams (see list following release).

GSCVB President Mary Kay Wydra addressed the crowd, stating, “The importance of (the Championship) must not be underestimated, as the revenue generated by this event will be a great asset to our local economy, and our hospitality partners in the region; the hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops and clubs, stand ready to greet the MAAC attendees and provide top-notch service.  We want them to have an outstanding visit here…and we want them to look forward to future trips to our region.”

She later added “We’re especially proud of the collaborative spirit that goes into coordinating an event of this magnitude, and we have enjoyed working with the MassMutual Center, the City of Springfield, the downtown hotels and restaurants and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to make this a great experience for all Championship attendees.”

The host restaurants are also embracing the event and making plans to honor their guests.  Adolfo’s Ristorante, the host restaurant for Manhattan College, is offering an order of fresh mozzarella fried pearls to dinner guests who present a ticket stub from the games.  Adolfo’s owner Victor Bruno stated, “We are honored to be sponsoring Manhattan and wish them the best of luck in the tournament.”

Uno Chicago Grill, located in Springfield near the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has been selected as the host restaurant for Loyola University.  According to Owner Mike Hurwitz, “Loyola has sent us tee shirts for the staff to wear, and we’ve got a big banner and other welcome signage that we’ll display for the fans.  We’ll also feature a drink special – the Vodka Greyhound – in honor of the Loyola Greyhounds.”

For visitor information about Springfield and the surrounding Pioneer Valley, visit www.valleyvisitor.com.

The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.

LISTING OF MAAC CHAMPIONSHIP HOST RESTAURANTS & SCHOOLS

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Boston's Consul General of Japan To Visit Springfield Museums

Springfield, MA (1/27/12) – Takeshi Hikihara, consul general of Japan in Boston, will visit the Springfield Museums on Tuesday, January 31 at 2pm to review its impressive collection of Japanese and Chinese art.  The collection was brought to his attention at a recent gathering in Boston, and he made immediate plans to see the rare artwork.
 
The focus of the tour will take place in the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, which holds Japanese arms and armor, including many fine examples from the time of the Samurai; Japanese ivory carvings, intricate lacquers, decorative and utilitarian ceramics; and one of the largest collections of Chinese cloisonné in the Western world. A highlight of the collection is an elaborately carved Shinto shrine.
 
“The museum’s Japanese collections are among our finest and rarest objects,” said Holly Smith-Bové, president of the Springfield Museums. “We’re delighted for the opportunity to show them off to such a distinguished visitor from Japan.”
 

“We’re really excited that someone of Mr. Hikihara’s stature came from Boston to see this exhibit,” said Mary Kay Wydra, president of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB).  “What a great honor for an attraction that deserves this level of recognition.  The Springfield Museums are a consistently popular draw, both for tourists and Pioneer Valley residents, because of their dynamic and engaging exhibits.”
 
Mr. Hikihara, who was born in Japan, was appointed consul general in Boston in December 2010.  Prior to that he served as ambassador, secretary-general of the secretariat for the Japan APEC Meeting in 2010, Minister’s Secretariat, MOFA, and as a minister for the Embassy of Japan in Russia.
 
The trip was coordinated with assistance from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (www.massvacation.com) and the GSCVB (www.valleyvisitor.com), in conjunction with the Springfield Museums (www.springfieldmuseums.org).
 
The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.

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GSCVB Annual Meeting Features Samuel Adams Brewer Jim Koch

HOLYOKE, MA -- (11/16/11) – Tourism professionals from the Pioneer Valley gathered at the 26th Annual Meeting of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) held Monday night at The Delaney House in Holyoke, MA.  More than 130 guests attended the business meeting, which was followed by a special presentation by Jim Koch, brewer of Samuel Adams beers and founder of the Boston Beer Company.
 
The Bureau recapped its efforts in fiscal year 2011 and announced the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors for a three-year term.  They include Bill Collins, director of operations at Spoleto Restaurants, David Desmarais, owner of Aladco Linen Co., Paul Gallo, VP of marketing & procurement of Performance Foodservice, Alexandra Kennedy, executive director of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and Joan Stoia, owner of Centennial House B&B.
 
Michael Hurwitz of Uno’s Chicago Grill was nominated to serve a two-year term as vice chair.  Others remaining on the board as officers with terms expiring in 2012 include Peter Rosskothen, owner of The Log Cabin/Delaney House to serve as chairman, John Hesslein, station manager of CBS-3 Springfield to serve as treasurer, John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to serve as vice-chair, Robert Schwarz, executive vice president, public relations of Peter Pan Bus Lines to serve as secretary and Robert Gilbert, president and treasurer of Dowd Insurance to serve as compliance officer.
 
Members of the Board of Directors who have been nominated to serve an additional three-year term include Kathy Anderson, director of the office of Planning & Development for Holyoke, MA, Anthony Frasco, director of sales and marketing at Williams Distributing, Joanne Gadoury, director of conference management & employee services at MassMutual Financial Group, Bill Hess, general manager of Springfield Marriott Hotel, Matt Hollander, general manager of MassMutual Center, Michael Jonnes, executive director of the Springfield Symphony, Bruce Lessels, president of Zoar Outdoor, Tony Maroulis, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Shardool Parmar, president of the Pioneer Valley Hotel Group, Remo Pizzichemi, general manager of Hampton Inn West Springfield and Rod Warnick, professor and academic advisor at Tourism Management Department/UMass.
 
The following individuals, whose terms will expire in 2012, will remain on the GSCVB Board of Directors:  Holly Smith-Bove, president of the Springfield Museums, Greg Chiecko, sales director of Eastern States Exposition, Barry Crosby, president and CEO of Freedom Credit Union, Carolyn Edwards, assistant general manager of Premium Outlets in Lee, Jason Freeman, director of safety and security of Six Flags New England, Harlan Kent, president and chief operating officer of Yankee Candle Company, Bruce Nable, CEO and president of SER Expo, Christina Pappas, president of Open the Door Communications, Inc., Ralph Santaniello, owner of The Federal, William Rogalski, general manager of Holyoke Mall and Dan Walsh, vice president of Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel.
 
The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization that was incorporated in 1985 and is dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.  For more information, visit www.valleyvisitor.com.

GSCVB Accepting Nominations For 2012 Howdy Awards

Springfield, MA-- (10/25/11)—The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) is accepting nominations for the 2012 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence, according to Howdy Awards Chairman Michael E. Hurwitz, owner of Uno Chicago Grill in Springfield and Holyoke.
 
“This is the seventeenth annual Howdy Awards program, and we want it to be bigger than ever,” said Hurwitz.  “We want to hear about the many frontline hospitality industry superstars in the Pioneer Valley, and the only way we can honor these people is if we receive nominations from the public.  That’s how the whole process begins.  So when you’re out and about in the coming holiday season, say you’re shopping or dining out…and you are wowed by a terrific waitress or sales clerk, jump online and nominate them!  Anyone can nominate anyone else for a Howdy…a loyal customer, a co-worker, or especially someone who just experienced exceptional service.”
 
Nominations can be submitted online by visiting www.valleyvisitor.com and clicking on the Howdy logo on the home page.  There are also paper ballots available at several leading area restaurants, hotels and attractions, or they can be picked up at the GSCVB, which is located at 1441 Main Street in Springfield.
 
Each year the Bureau collects nominations for the awards, which honor frontline people in the service industries who work at hotels/motels/inns, restaurants, tourist attractions, retail locations, transportation and more.  Finalists are selected by committee and three hospitality industry professionals from outside the Pioneer Valley serve as judges and select the winners, whose names will be announced at the 2012 Howdy Awards Gala Dinner on May 15 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke.
 
The deadline to submit nominations for the 2012 Howdy Awards is February 1, 2012.  Submissions received after that date are automatically entered into the running for the following year.
 
The Howdy Awards program not only recognizes accomplishments, professionalism and service in the local hospitality industry; it also provides career-enhancing credentials for winning recipients and additional marketing exposure for the businesses and services whose employees excel.  Each winner will also receive an engraved Howdy Award for Hospitality Excellence, a lapel pin and a gift bag as well as a framed certificate recognizing their accomplishment.
 
Sponsors for the 2012 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence include Aladco Linen Services, Baystate Health, CBS-3 Springfield, Eastern States Exposition, Freedom Credit Union, Global Spectrum, The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House/The Delaney House, MassLive.com, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, The Republican, WRNX-FM and Yankee Candle Company.
 
The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.  For more information or to nominate someone.

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GSCVB To Hold Annual Meeting Featuring Guest Speaker Jim Koch of The Boston Beer Company

GSCVB Nominee Bright Nights Designated Top Destination
By American Bus Association

- 30 -

GSCVB Names 2011 HOWDY Award Recipients

- 30 -

GSCVB Unveils Print and Online Editions of
2011-2012 Pioneer Valley Tourism Guide

GSCVB Announces 16th Annual Hospitality Awards Finalists

NOVEMBER A BUSY MONTH FOR PIONEER VALLEY CONVENTIONS, MEETINGS AND EVENTS

GSCVB HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING & 25^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION NAMES BRIGHT NIGHTS AT FOREST PARK ONE OF NORTH AMERICA'S 100 BEST EVENTS FOR 2011

GSCVB PRESENTS DOUBLE DECKER DINE EVENT

AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE ARRIVES IN PIONEER VALLEY FOR ANNUAL MEETING; TOURING AREA ATTRACTIONS

Springfield, MA (6/3/10) - A committee of nearly 20 tour operators and staff of the American Bus Association (ABA) will hold its annual meeting in Springfield June 6-9, 2010.  The ABA Top 100 Site Selection Committee convenes once a year to decide ABA's Top 100 Events in North America.

The group will make their selections from top fairs, festivals, parades, exhibits, theater and other shows that offer broad appeal, accessibility to large groups arriving by motor coach, and other criteria.  Pioneer Valley-based attractions that have been listed in the past include Bright Nights at Forest Park and The Big E, which was recently designated an Internationally Known Event by the ABA.

During their stay, group members will also tour several of the Pioneer Valley's leading tourist attractions including Yankee Candle Flagship, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Springfield Museums and Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, and others (itinerary at end of release).

The winning bid to lure the Selection Committee to the Pioneer Valley for its annual meeting was submitted by the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB), in conjunction with Peter Pan Bus Lines and the Sheraton Springfield. 

The 2011 ABA Top 100 Attractions will be announced around Labor Day.  The full 2010 Top 100 list is currently available at http://www.buses.org/files/Top100-10_Layout_1.pdf.

The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1,000 motor coach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,800 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motor coach industry.

The GSCVB, an affiliate of the Economic Development Council of Western MA, is a private non-profit destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley for meetings and conventions, group tours and leisure travel.  For more information, visit www.valleyvisitor.com.

American Bus Association Tour Operator Itinerary

Contact: Alicia Szenda 508-930-8010

Monday June 7, 2010- traveling on Peter Pan Executive Coach

1:45pm                         Lunch at Deerfield Inn & tour of Historic Deerfield

2:45pm                         Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory

3:45pm                         Yankee Candle Village

6:00pm                         Lady Bea boat cruise at Brunelle's Marina

8:00pm                         Dinner at Delaney House

Tuesday June 8, 2010- traveling on Peter Pan new motor coach

1:45pm                         Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

2:45pm                         Springfield Museums & the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.

4:15pm                         Springfield Armory National Historic Site

6:45pm                         Table top expo in the Carriage house on the grounds of the Big E

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GSCVB NAMES 2010 HOWDY AWARD RECIPIENTS

GREATER SPRINGFIELD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU TO HOST DIVISION II PRE-CON PEP RALLY

PIONEER VALLEY TOURISM OFFICIALS TO MEET WITH LEGISLATORS IN "RALLY FOR THE VALLEY"