There is just a wonderful excitement and buzz around Manchester about the new Downtown
Manchester Map & Guide. This is a long overdue publication underwritten by Brady-Sullivan that gave us the opportunity to print 10,000 brochures. Distribution has been at peak locations such as the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, State Welcome Centers, the Manchester Information Center and some attractions and hotels. The chamber hopes this will be a well received and popular piece that will
need to be reprinted!!!

In July, the GSA's from the Manchester Information Center had a GSA Roundtable at the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. Along with the GSA volunteers, Judi Window and Chamber staff attended. Discussion was had on several topics including the refreshing of MIC which is now ten years old, the Chamber's Downtown Committee looking at upgrades and changes to Veterans Park, the new Manchester Downtown Map & Guide, along with several other topics.

Several new restaurants and bakeries have opened in Manchester. Finesse is a new French pastry shop on Elm Street with an officially trained French pastry Chef. What a beautiful and delicious pastry shop. Come to Manchester and treat yourself to French pastry!! 

We have been working for several months and we are finally ready to launch the Secure-Side Walk-About Pilot Program at MHT. As the project manager I had my background check and I was fingerprinted and went through Security Briefing for the first time in my 17 year history at the airport... It was so exciting! Then I worked to identify the best candidates for the pilot program (July 1, 2012-December 31, 2012). I did this based on several criteria. I invited you, the GSAs, who had walk-about experience to let me know that you were interested. There were 40 of you! Many of who did not have the walk-about experience needed but... some of you quickly came up to speed and there were a few of you made the cut based on the number of hours volunteered via walk-about and the timeframe (6am-Noon) needed for this project. The candidates included:

·         Moe Demers
·         Lisa Jackson
·         Jean McGiffin
·         Ron Pingel
·         Mike Renzulli
·         Larry White

All our candidates have now been through a background and finger printing check and the last are going through security briefing this week. I will be meeting with Tom Malafronte (from the airport) to finalize the details of the program and we should be able to begin walking the secure side next week sometime.

The second important item on our airport agenda is the beginning process of planning our 3rd Customer Appreciation Day. The first meeting will be when I am on vacation (Aug 18-Labord Day/Sept 3), but Tom and Doreen will be me abreast of the happenings. I expect that it will be scheduled for the Friday before Columbus Day Weekend (again). More to come....

If you have any questions while I am away, Kelly is available to help. - See many of you at the Big E in September!

If you haven't visited us at our new location, please stop by anytime to check out our new digs!  The Capital Region Visitor Center is located directly across the street from the Capitol Center for the Arts at 49 South Main Street in Concord.  Please excuse the commotion next door as demolition continues and construction will soon follow on a new office building. 

 

Our seasonal Kiosk, located on the State House Plaza, is in full swing with a scheduled closing date of October 8th (Columbus Day). Thank you to all the wonderful GSA's who volunteer and keep the door open at the Kiosk! 

 

Please check the online calendar and come to the capital city to volunteer for a shift or two....I'd love to see you!

 

All CVC and CDK volunteers have an open invitation to be our guests at any of the Chamber's Business After Hours or Business Before Hours events throughout the year.

 

It is a pleasure working with the amazing GSA's in Concord.   Thank you for all you do!

 

~ Carolyn

As the Center Manager for all NH  State owned Welcome and Information Centers and (of course as the NHGSA "Center Manager of the Year") I am excited to be able to add information about what we are achieving at the state level with our welcome centers. Here is a quick recap:

• North Conway had their computer installed last month
• We hosted an educational tour for our welcome center staff and the GSAs at the Aviation Museum of NH 
• Sanbornton extended their hours 8am-8pm as of July 1
• Will be looking for additional GSA volunteers for the upcoming race weekend in September [sign up online for shifts preceding the race and during race weekend - Sept 20-23]
• Hooksett North and South had some renovations done (painting, new sinks, mirrors, etc.)
• The brochure racks in Springfield have been fixed so the brochures are now upright
• The new logo decals have been added to the entrances of all centers
• Welcome mats with the new logo have been added to all centers
• Picnic tables have been added to N. Conway and are very well received
• Canterbury will have a computer installed in the next couple of weeks

There have been a lot of changes at Exit 28! The Waterville Valley Region Chamber of
Commerce is turning 40 this year and we want you to be a part of our birthday celebration!
In addition to a new Executive Director and new staff, the Visitor Information Center is
getting a facelift (I know, she's only 40 but she could use a little TLC) with a new logo!

We are conveniently located off Interstate 93 and nestled in the White Mountains area. We need Granite State Ambassadors to help Welcome visitors from all over the world! Parlez-vous francais? This summer, we have had guests from Montreal, France, Spain, Portugal, Zimbabwe, India, Switzerland, South Africa, Peru, Israel, Russia and Germany.

Do you love the smell of coffee roasting? Enjoy the aroma of Mad River Coffee in our Visitor Information Center while you guide visitors to discover all our area has to offer! On August 21st, the Waterville Valley Region Chamber of Commerce will partner with the White Mountain National Forest to unearth the heart of the White Mountains! GSA's will paddle the Pemi River, ride horseback, enjoy a catered lunch under the big white tent of the majestic greens of Owl's Nest Resort and Golf Club, and experience the Official Mountain Resort of the Boston Red Sox, Waterville Valley!

We invite you to bring your love of the White Mountains to the Waterville  Valley Region Chamber of Commerce, and find out why so many love it here at Exit 28!