November 2008
Executive Directors Message...

November is one of my favorite months –it holds so many wonderful traditions and opportunities to gather together and enjoy time with one another that I look forward to all year. But before I look ahead – let me take a minute to look back on October.

October was a month with some roller coaster-style highs. One such high worth mentioning is the Harvest on the Harbor. From my perspective it was a tremendous success. Barbra Whitten and the entire team at the CVB and all those involved earned and deserve a resounding round of applause for turning a large scale dream into a flawlessly executed grand scale event. Freeport was well represented on both Thursday and Saturday by the numerous lodging and food establishments... Harraseeket Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Historic B&Bs, The Freeport Cabaret and Bistro, Cold River Vodka and Wicked Whoopies were all there to name just a few - congratulation to all. Columbus Day activity and success in Freeport was another high overall. Although results are hard to measure - I heard from several that this year was better than years prior. I’ve heard from a similar number that is was about the same or not as good as last year. All things considered, we should take that as good news.

Girlfriends Getaway is very close. Thank you all for your generous participation and contribution to the creation, planning and preparation of a weekend that guarantees to offer all participants a fun filled time to share with friends and family. We have a wide variety of activities to choose between that will allow participants to experience a weekend getaway designed to be as individual as each participant. Time can be spent in many ways - from a quiet restorative, rejuvenating weekend of spa treatment pampering  to a an action packed  Zumba class or Salsa dance lesson and everything in between like fly tying classes and archery lessons at L.L.Bean …in addition we have planned a Fashion Show at the Harraseeket Inn ..So to all of you Fashionistas we are still recruiting models, riggers and others-check out the bullet points and web for additional info –great opportunities to get involved and I welcome you all.

This year we will kick off Black Friday with Moonlight Madness-it all starts with a moonlight fun run with Santa on Main Street join us-eat all you want on Thursday-have that second piece of pie and run it off with us at midnight. We have a long list (I’m checking it twice) of stores opening at midnight to join in the holiday festivities to start the holiday shopping season a little earlier than years past. There will be numerous in store promotions offered to entice and reward all early shoppers and gifts and prizes for all fun –runners too. Between the Northern Lights celebration at L.L.Bean and our Early opening events on Black Friday I think visitors will enjoy their time in Freeport I look forward to seeing you all there!

As you determine what success looks like this season many sources say that if business is slightly down, treat it like being flat to prior years. If your business is flat treat it like being up slightly to prior years and if you are up- celebrate like a double-digit lift.  I am looking forward to celebrating a very successful holiday season with you all. We have new events to add value through traffic and promotion in November additional activities to add value through traffic and promotions in December.  We are supporting these activities through website announcements, email, direct mail, partnership e-blasts, local and regional press, radio and additional Holiday coverage for Freeport. It is even more important at this time that we continue to build partnerships and work together. I look forward to working with you this season and in the year ahead.

Myra


Last Cruise Ship of the season...

This week, the final cruise ship of the 2008 season, the Royal Princess will call to the Port of Portland on Tuesday. The Royal Princess, a Carnival Corporation ship, arrives from Halifax, Nova Scotia and at the end of the day, will sail south for Boston. Carrying 710 passengers, the Royal Princess' seventeen-night cruise along Canada and New England's coast includes stops in Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Montreal.

A total of thirty-one cruise ships visited Portland this year carrying approximately 45,172 passengers. To date, the city has scheduled thirty-eight cruise ships for the 2009 season carrying approximately 70,840 passengers, which will be an increase of 56% -- setting a new record for the city. One of the ships scheduled to call to port next year is Cunard's Queen Victoria, making its maiden visit to Portland in September.

The Royal Princess arrives November 4 at 7:00 AM and departs at 6:00 PM. The ship will berth at Portland Ocean Terminal, Commercial Street, Portland.

FMA continues to work diligently with the Portland CVB and as a primary partner in the Discover Portland & Beyond Cruise Ship marketing coalition, in bringing cruise passengers to Freeport. Major new shore excursion marketing pieces for Freeport are a goal of this effort for 2009.

'Tis the Season - countdown to the big events...

November is here and we're getting ready for an exciting holiday season in Freeport! While the current economic times have many wondering how the season will actually turn out, Freeport has historically done pretty well when things are tight for the general consumer.

Freeport is well known for a wide range of quality brands and for offering exceptional value for the shopper. Freeport's charm, warmth and character shines especially bright during the holidays. It's a time when the Freeport experience is particularly meaningful.

At a time when folks most need a lift from their holidays, we're all working hard to make sure we come through and deliver a delightful atmosphere for our visitors and a worthwhile season for our  members.

We've put extra effort into new events like the Girlfriends Getaway, November 14-15-16, L.L.Bean is offering a tremendous schedule of events for the Northern Lights Celebration, starting November 22nd, this year's brand new Moonlight Madness features shopping and event starting at 12:01 AM on Black Friday with at least 40 stores open various early hours from midnight on, plus events, and Sparkle Weekend will be celebrating it's 15th anniversary!

If you have not taken the opportunity to get involved with any or all of these events yet, please call the FMA office right away! 865-1212. We'll still find a way to get you involved, but the sooner you get in the more publicity you stand to receive.

Harraseeket Inn supporting lobstering industry with special effort...

Greetings from the Harraseeket Inn,

In our effort to help put extra money into our lobstermen’s pockets, we are going to do our part by buying and selling as many lobsters as we possibly can.  We’ll be doing this a number of ways.  For the month of November, we will be including halved lobsters on our Sunday Brunch Buffet at the same price as our regular buffet.  Our Chef de Cuisine, Gallitt Sammon, has prepared a 5 course nightly lobster tasting menu in our Maine Dining Room.  We will also be running nightly specials in our Broad Arrow Tavern.  With the help of our friends over at Potts Harbor lobster, we’re going to be offering live or cooked lobsters to all of our guests to take home at a reasonable price.  We’re also creating a special overnight “Lobster Lovers” package plan to include all of the above.  We think it’s important that everyone think of ways to help such a vital part of Maine’s economy and identity. 

Remember, Lobster brunch is this Sunday so we hope to see you there, or anytime for the nightly specials!  

Thank you,
The Gray Family