Employment page change...
We have now added a "Date Posted" column to the Employment Listings page on FreeportUSA.com This will make the page more useful to all. As a reminder, Online Employment Listings are another free service available to FMA members. Just go to the Employment page to submit your listings.
HGI's Mark Bowen wins national award...
Hilton Hotels Corporation has honored Mark Bowen, Maintenance Engineer, Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown with the company’s national Spirit Award, designating Bowen as a top performer within the Hilton Family of Hotels.
Bowen was nominated for the award by his peers after proving to be an exceptional role model. “Bowen continues to make outstanding contributions to guests and his fellow team members, showing great enthusiasm in all areas of his work at the hotel,” said Jeanne Carpentier, General Manager. “We are proud of his recognition as a Spirit Award winner, Hilton’s most prestigious team member award,” said Carpentier.
Employed with the Hilton Family since May 2005, Bowen helped open the Freeport HGI hotel in August of 2005.
New look for FPAC website...
The Freeport Performing Arts Center website now features a new FPAC logo, which will soon be seen across all event posters and marketing pieces of the Center.
The site will now list dates monthly for all scheduled functions at FPAC, including professional, community and school system events.
The FPAC website is provided and maintained by FMA.
New FMA Program Committee Chair selected...
Bev Rafferty, Manager at Jockey and FMA Board member, has been appointed as FMA Program Committee Chair. The Program Committee organizes both educational / informational and networking events.
Educational events often include topics such as loss prevention, customer service, low cost promotional ideas, etc.
Networking events include the returning FMA Networking After Hours gatherings.
Program Committee events are generally held monthly, are free to attend, and are open to all Freeport businesses, regardless of FMA membership.
If you would like to be a host location for a networking event, have an idea for a great program, or would like to be on the committee, contact Bev Rafferty at 865-4224 or email Alison at aweist@freeportusa.com
Peary's Eagle Island Looking for Guides...
One of the most enjoyable adventures for Freeport visitors is a trip to Eagle Island aboard the Atlantic Seal. If you have not yet made the trip yourself, we highly recommend you contact Captain Tom Ring and take the trip just as soon as Capt Tom starts running.
Well now, The Friends of Peary's Eagle Island are expanding their program for docent guides in the 100 year old house on Eagle Island where Adm. Robert E. Peary and his family made their summer home. Peary's last expedition arrived at the North Pole on April 6, 1909, almost 100 years ago.
The duties of a Docent are to greet visitors to the Museum and to answer questions about the Admiral, his family, the house, and the island.
The Friends will hold a Docent training luncheon on Saturday, May 17, 2008. If you are interested in attending and learning more about this program please e-mail us at www.pearyeagleisland.org or drop us a line at P O Box 70, Bailey Island, ME 04003 or call us 725-8510.
Your ship has come in...
About three years ago FMA, Portland CVB and other partners including the Port of Portland founded the Destination Portland & Beyond Consortium, an organization formed to market our region to the cruise ship industry. The organization has been very successful, creating a great return on investment for FMA members.
For example...
Numbers of Cruise ships calling in Portland are steadily increasing.
Freeport is one of only two or three Motorcoach Shore Excursions outside of Portland approved and promoted in advance onboard the major cruise ships porting in Portland.
Freeport will be prominently featured along with the CVB at an information center in the brand new Ocean Gateway facility opening this May. All cruise ships as well as the CAT will use this facility.
Freeport will host a number of major cruise industry executives this June as part of the Canada New England Cruise Symposium, being hosted by DP&B in Portland.
FMA has made a commitment to continue working with DP&B and Director Sandra Needham over the next three years. Look for more excitement as we continue to work within this important tourism segment. By the way, you can find the 2008 and 2009 Cruise Ship Docking Schedules on FreeportUSA.com |
Executive Directors Message
Reasons or Excuses...
I was in a Sharper Image store the other day. When I went in, there were two other customers in view, but no staff. After about ten minutes one of the other customers asked me if I'd seen a salesperson. Offering to go look for one, I headed toward the open stockroom door (walking behind the sales counter to get there). I could hear an enthusiastic cell phone conversation, "Yeah, dude! That sounds fun,after I get out of work, let's go...".
I interrupted with my own, "Dude! Customers on the floor!" After which, I witnessed the following exchange between customer and clerk:
Customer: "Do you have...?"
Clerk: "No"
Customer:"Do you have anything similar to...?"
Clerk: "No" (They did have, but that would have meant actually showing a product to the customer.)
Customer: "Well, thank you."
Clerk: " 'k."
Whereupon, the clerk then went back into the stockroom, without a word to either me or the other remaining customer.
A week or two earlier I was in a Faberware Outlet and picked up a couple of items. Two salespeople were behind the counter, which had the daily paper opened up and spread all over it. One salesperson remained back to me talking on the phone the entire time I was there. It was obviously a personal call.
The other clerk was - I kid you not- sitting cross-legged on the cashwrap filing her nails. Being the more attentive of the two, she informed me that the other clerk would be with me as soon as she was off the phone.
I wonder if anyone would find it surprising to know that both stores prominently featured large "Going out of Business" signs?
Once I was able to retrieve him again, the clerk at Sharper Image explained that the reason for closing was "Lots of people come in and look at stuff, but nobody buys anything." The clerk at Faberware was too busy with her nails to ponder any explanation.
Curiously, there are other stores in the same marketplace, with the same type of product lines, the same customer base and operating in the same economic times as these two stores, and they aren't closing, they're thriving. What's the difference? ...to be continued next newsletter.
The door is always open,
Dick
Stop the presses! No, wait ... Start the presses!
I was just sending an email to John Milburn, President of Au (Accessories Unlimited) on the occassion of their new store opening in Freeport. Then I thought I'd send the same info to everyone...
"I just wanted to remind you that at FMA we have a press release system that reaches some 140 or so media outlets, which you get to use as an FMA member at no cost. We reach every radio and televison station in the state, all major daily newspapers and most weekly editions, plus several magazines. We also post to Associated Press and several online news services including frequent pickup from Google News Services.
I'd like to get some press out about your Freeport business. Just send me an article or the information to create an article and we'll get it out there to the world."
 Now, about Au. Their new store is in the Denney Block Courtyard, next to Acorn and across from Dooney & Bourke. Au is one of a growing number of Maine-based companies that are showcasing their quality products in unique Freeport locations. The company features several lines of stylish and functional bags in great fabrics including their exclusive Raincoat Cotton... well, you'll read about it all in the press. Or you can stop in and welcome them to town!
Brown Goldsmiths to reveal new look on April 7th...
"Hectic" definately understates the activity at 11 Mechanic Street as Steve and Judy Brown work with their team to complete a total renovation of the landmark Brown Goldsmiths showroom. "I startled myself to realize that this is our 4th!! remodeling since we bought this ol' Masonic temple in 1972!" says Judy. The new look debuts on April 7th when the store re-opens for business. Exterior work will be completed after warmier weather arrives, with a Grand Re-opening event to follow later.
Along with the new showroom, the Browns are moving forward with newer technologies to reach loyal and future customers. A fine example is their new BGS Blog. It's very well done and engaging, so if, like me, you are fascinated by the renovation process, you can follow along through the blog. http://browngoldsmiths.com/bgsblog/
Take a look at what's happening at Brown's, but also look at how well they are marketing their business through the online world. FMA has several online marketing opportunities available now and in the works. They are available to all members. All you need to do is email with your interest in participating. dcollins@freeportusa.com
Freeport High School Theater kids need our help...
The following is a letter from Jerri Stone, with some very exciting news about our FHS kids...
"Our rag tag group of Freeport High School theater kids have surprised everyone and particularly themselves in winning recognition for their production of a student-written play, “Conversations In A Box”. They won awards at the state Festival of One Act Play, sponsored by the Maine Principals Association. They have been invited to perform at the New England Drama Festival at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland, Vermont on April 17, 18, and 19. This Festival is an impressive group of productions from Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. What makes this particularly unique is that Freeport’s play will be the first student-written production to be performed in the festival’s history since it began in 1931. There is a lot of “buzz” about it. Kevin Henthorn is a thoughtful well-spoken young man with a great future in writing ahead.
The only problem is, we never expected to win and be invited! We parents and advisers find ourselves scrambling to fund the bus to carry the cast and crew, the hotel and meal costs and the u-haul to carry the modest set. We estimate a need for about $4,000. We need help to find that amount in such short notice. These actors have worked very hard and formed an impressive, tight-knit group, outperforming much better-funded and larger schools from all over New England. It would be such a shame to let them down. Any publicity, advice, ideas or spare change is greatly appreciated."
Sincerely,
Jerri Stone
And it's very easy to help - donations can be made through the website freeportpublicschools.org or through the following link
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=21091 Please specify that it is for “One Act Play”
AAA Member Appreciation Weekend in Freeport is only a month away...
There are more than 830,000 AAA members in New England, and they're all being invited to Freeport for May 3rd and 4th. All FMA members can get great exposure to these valued visitors in lots of ways. To get involved Contact Alison at FMA aweist@freeportusa.com or 865-1212
Look for more news, notes and excitement in upcoming Newsletters and Bullet Point Updates from FMA. Got news of your own to share? Send it to dcollins@freeportusa.com |
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