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Welcome to our Bureau's new quarterly e-newsletter. It is designed to provide members with information about our region's convention industry so you can maximize your efforts for upcoming business.

This is an exciting time for our region's convention and hospitality industries. On the wave of a successful 2007 that brought two of the largest conventions in our history, the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau is building upon that momentum in all areas of our operations. The growing selection of impressive meeting facilities, hotels, restaurants and attractions positions Greater Hartford as a top destination for meeting planners who demand quality service with a high level of personal attention.

Through our Bureau's Hartford and Washington, D.C. offices, our strategic marketing and strong member business partnerships - both nationally and locally - result in a wide range of coordinated efforts to "sell" the region and to deliver what we promise.

Four of our newest marketing resources were rolled out in the last 60 days:

1. Newly redesigned Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau website, www.enjoyhartford.com - Easy access for association and business meeting planners, our Bureau's membership and prospective conventioneers. It features the calendar of upcoming meetings and conventions, as well as down loadable sales material.
2. New GHCVB Meeting Planner Guide - Essential resource with detailed information about area meeting venues, accommodations, and convention services. The guide is mailed to planners throughout the U.S. and also can be downloaded from our website.
3. New GHCVB Marketing Video - Produced to appeal especially to meeting and convention decision-makers. Our sales managers screen this versatile DVD at presentations with prospective clients and at major industry trade shows.
4. 2008 Visitors Guide to Greater Hartford and the Connecticut River Valley - A colorful 76-page source book for business and leisure travelers alike. Produced by our Bureau and the Central Regional Tourism District, it is mailed to meeting planners and travel agents worldwide, is included in welcome bags for conventioneers, and is available at dozens of regional hotels, restaurants, attractions, and visitor information centers throughout the Northeast. The Visitors Guide also can be downloaded from our website.

GHCVB Website

This quarter, our National Sales Managers are representing Hartford and the State of Connecticut in five major cities. The GHCVB sponsored the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Capital Chapter meeting in Washington, D.C. This effort spotlighted Hartford as a meeting destination to more than 100 planners and suppliers. Karen Staples had an opportunity to address the group from the podium and presented a promotional DVD about Hartford. Karen, who manages the GHCVB's Washington D.C. office, also attended the New England Society of Association Executives (NESAE) event in Boston and established 30 contacts and two leads. She recently hosted a dinner at D'Aqua Restaurant in our national's capital for over 25 meeting planners. Susan Koczka will go to Chicago to attend chapter meetings for Meeting Planners International (MPI) and PCMA. She will then travel to Denver to attend the Meetings Industry Council (MIC) Tradeshow. While there, Susan will partner with the Spokane CVB to entertain 16 meeting planners from Conference Direct in an attempt to cross-promote Hartford as a ideal meeting and convention location in the Northeast. Phyllis Anderson recently returned from the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA) in Orlando where she established 41 contacts and acquired three Requests for Proposals (RFP). Michael Van Parys, Karen Staples, and CCEDA's Terryl Mitchell-Smith attended the Destinations Marketing Association International's (DMAI) Destination Showcase which resulted in 60 contacts, six RFPs and five leads.

Hartford is honored to host the 2008 Big East Women's Basketball Championship at the XL Center on March 8-11. Members are invited to save $50 off the regular price by purchasing an 11-Game Package for only $99. Members will receive a free program book when using promotional code CTFAN when purchasing tickets via the website below.

Click to buy Big East tickets



The University of Hartford is preparing to host the 2008 America East Women's Basketball Championship on March 13-16. Purchase your 8-Game Package starting at just $45! Individual tickets are also available.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for families to enjoy a weekend together or for business professionals to entertain their clients.", stated Curt Jensen, National Sales Manager for the GHCVB/Greater Hartford Sports Commission.

Click to buy America East tickets

The following groups and events are expected in the Greater Hartford area in the upcoming months. Due to space limitations, groups under 250 people have been omitted, however, you may view the complete listing on the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitor Bureau's website.

• Advance Job Fairs for Healthcare, March 3-4, 400 ppl
• Beauty Systems Fashion Focus 08, March 6-11, 8000 ppl
• YMCA Youth in Government, March 6-9, 450 ppl
• Big East Women's Basketball Tournament, March 3-12
• FIRST Robotics Competition, March 9-17, 2500 ppl
• America East Women's Basketball Tournament, March 13-16
• The Church of Pentecost USA, March 19-23, 2000 ppl
• Connecticut Music Educators Association, April 2-6, 1000 ppl
• National Association for College Admission Counselors, April 2-6, 10000 ppl
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses, April 8-12, 500 ppl
• National Writers Workshop, April 11-14, 800 ppl
• Trinity College Fire-Fighting Home Robot Contest, April 11-14, 600 ppl
• Emergency Medical Services Association, April 15-20, 750 ppl
• National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals, April 15-20, 600 ppl
• InterNET Services Corporation, April 18-20, 2000 ppl
• World Archery Festival, April 18-21
• Glastonbury Spring Break Warm-Up Soccer Tournament, April 25-27
• Autism Society of Connecticut, April 26, 600 ppl
• Tradeshows Inc., April 27-May 4, 4000 ppl
• Connecticut Credit Union Association, April 30-May 4, 250 ppl
• Project Management Institute, May 2-3, 700 ppl
• Connecticut State Dental Association, May 7-11, 700 ppl
• National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers, May 18-22, 4500 ppl
• Avon Soccer League Tournament, May 23-26
• Connecticut Junior Soccer Association, May 23-30
• Mended Hearts Convention, May 23-30, 400 ppl
• Oakwood Sports Center Tournament, May 23-26
• Northeastern Ladies Retreat, May 30-June 1, 300 ppl
• Mechanical Contractors Association of America, May 31-June 5, 650 ppl
• Travelers Championship, June 17-25
• American Specialty Toy Retailers Association, June 22-25, 500 ppl
• Int'l Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, June 28-30, 600 ppl
• Suffield Soccer Club, June 27-29

GHCVB website

On an unusually balmy January day, the GHCVB welcomed the Financial and Insurance Conference Planners (FICP) to Hartford for its Northeast Chapter Meetings by sponsoring tours of the Mark Twain House and Museum and an evening at Joe Black's Restaurant. FICP, one of the most highly respected organizations for planners in the meetings industry, is a network of over 500 professionals who plan business and incentive meetings specific to the insurance and financial services industry.

Pictured L-R: Michael Van Parys (GHCVB), Karen Staples (GHCVB), Heather Huebner (Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance), Randy Rovelto (Hartford Marriott Downtown).

Members of the GHCVB enjoy many exclusive benefits such as the confidential Convention Center calendar, as well as networking opportunities at member-only events. Members also receive business referrals and have the ability to self-manage their web listing. For more information on becoming a member, please contact Theresa Reynolds
at 860-882-1107.

This quarter, the GHCVB welcomes the following new members:

• Ambassador of India, Hartford
• Hampton Inn & Suites Manchester, Manchester
• Park Road Playhouse, Hartford
• Rosco's Big Dog, Hartford
• The Tavern, Hartford
• The Green Papaya, Hartford
• TheaterWorks, Hartford