Read 'em both... In order to be more efficient all around, we've recently (about 4 montha ago) included all FMA members and partners that receive this newsletter on our Freeport eClub mailer as well. That way you'll see what FMA sends to eClub consumer subscribers and when it goes out. Be sure to read BOTH online publications. The Shop Talk Newsletter contains info that is only of interest to FMA members and business partners. The Freeport eClub contains items of interest to consumers AND Fma members! And as always, we remind you that these publications are for your use and benefit. Your items of interest are always welcome for publication! If for some reason you do not receive BOTH publications, you can go to FreeportUSA.com and sign up for the one you're missing. Member newsletter signup is here. Freeport eClub signup is here.
FMA Members get more... Very often your FMA membership gets you extra benefits beyond FMA. A number of members offer special discounts to fellow FMA members. Here are two such instances - R.D. Allen Freeport Jewelers is having a great sale event in March (see it in your eClub newsletter) but FMA members, if you bring your store ID, can get all this and an additional 10% off at the register until the end of March! At Earrings & Company, all FMA members and their staff receive 10% off their purchases (excluding sale items). Their way of saying "Thanks for your business!" Do you offer special discounts to FMA members? Tell us about it, so we can spread the word!
Membership Update
To all new FMA Members and the FMA members who have re-joined for the year THANK YOU. I appreciate your support and commitment to marketing Freeport together. I am looking forward to executing our strategy for 2009 and am very optimistic about what the year has to offer. These are challenging times and it is now more important than ever before that we work together to leverage our marketing dollars to brand and position Freeport
appropriately. We are just getting started and there is so much to do this year to build on our foundation. We have experienced top traffic and top tourism as a top destination over the years and we need to continue to build on that
momentum and get back any incremental loss and add to what we have realized in the past. Together we will achieve and even exceed our goals and expectations. If you have not yet joined FMA for 2009 –call me –it is not too late-you still have time to highlight your business on the map and visitor guide –we will print hundreds of thousands of that piece this year and distribute it to new locations-don’t miss out you will also get website exposure-our website traffic is growing annually and will exceed 2.5 – 3.5 million this year!
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Executive Directors Message
The Captain Briggs House B&B launched our first Freeport First event on February 13th. Thank you for joining me. Bev was a delightful host - she prepared a gourmet breakfast that was a crowd pleaser then gave us a tour of the beautiful Inn. Every room is carefully decorated with charm and warmth. It would be hard to choose a favorite they are all very nice-another reason to return to the Inn again and again! It was a wonderful way to start our Freeport First Initiative-THANK YOU Bev!
Our next scheduled Freeport First event will be at the Azure Café. All Freeport Employees are invited to “Get Bubbly” at Azure Café on Tuesday March 10th from 4:30 -5:30. Enjoy a taste of Italy. Executive Chef Christopher Bassett will prepare delectable hors d oeuvres to be accompanied with a glass of bubbly Italian Prosecco. There is no charge for Freeport First Events..Join us! What a wonderful way to elevate the level of knowledge and enthusiasm about our town...take your entire team to a breakfast...to a tasting ...through a tour...Tandem kayaking through ODS...invest in your workforce. Do it today!
The Governor’s Conference at the Sable Oaks Marriott, was well executed and well attended. The dinner on Monday night was a celebration of Maine food, wine and vodka and recognition of the accomplishments achieved by our industry partners. The recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence was Barbara Whitten the Executive Director of the CVB for the Harvest on the Harbor Event. I know we all join in acknowledging and celebrating this deserved recognition. The speakers were very informative and the content shared was meaningful and timely. During Susan Sweeney’s e-marketing presentation I particularly enjoyed seeing our e-club page get recognized for all the right bells and whistles. Hats off to Dick for doing it right. I left the conference with a renewed belief that we are doing things well and heading in the right direction and that we have exciting opportunities ahead.
Thank you for participating in the Down East Magazine April-edition-the summer book will show 22 Freeport businesses. Get your copy today! The Down East May edition will feature Freeport with front cover placement and a supplement on FREEPORT!!!That will mean between 8-16 pages –or more!! Thank you all for participating. This is great exposure for Freeport.
We announced the Freeport Village Station tenant mix and opening dates in a recent press release. The release has been seen in several newspapers and has increased inquiries. We have a lot to celebrate –especially the growth this project brings. All good stuff for Freeport!
It is my pleasure to announce that Melissa Glenn has joined FMA as the Office Manger/Event Coordinator. After a thoughtful and diligent search we are excited to have found a Manager/Coordinator with the skills and experience that Melissa brings to the position. Melissa has an extensive background in the non-profit arena. She has a proven track record of success in fund raising, event planning and volunteer management. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of North Carolina and is working toward a Master’s of Science in Geosciences. I am looking forward to working with Melissa and am sure you too will enjoy developing a partnership with her. Please join me in welcoming Melissa to Freeport/FMA.
The Map Committee has been working on the 2009 Map and Visitor Guide-it is coming along nicely. I will have a copy of the map for member proof in a few weeks. As soon as I have a range of dates for your proof/approval I will let you know. Thank you all for your participation.
See you soon!
Myra
Internet Television comes to Freeport, Maine –
Exclusively from Dick Collins and www.TheFreeportChannel.com One of the most exciting, most dynamic, most effective, and most affordable marketing tools of the age is now available for Freeport, Maine. The Freeport Channel applies the latest in Internet Television and digital video technology, with the remarkable reach of the latest Social Media networks to produce a promotional tool with nearly limitless potential! Facts about Internet television… Not since television was invented the first time has a technological development had such explosively popular appeal. Digital programming and distribution has opened new doors to audiences everywhere. Major news programs, popular broadcast and cable television shows, and even the motion picture industry have found massive new markets through Internet television. With ITV, people get the information they want, when they want it, no matter where they are. Now, The Freeport Channel opens the door for you to reach limitless new customers with a rich, exciting and compelling ITV program focused solely on you and Freeport, Maine. The Freeport Channel was developed and is produced by Dick Collins, and takes advantage of Dick's years of experience in successfully promoting Freeport as a destination. Programming begins early this spring. Production schedules are being arranged now. Participation is surprisingly affordable. FMA members have the extra advantage of a generous discount on the production fee. For more about the program and how you can be involved, go to www.thefreeportchannel.com or email Dick directly at dcollins@thefreeportchannel.com
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