Hi All,
Having had a fantastic meeting at the Calderwood Pavilion hosted by Adam Roberts of the Huntington Theater Company, complete with an amazing fashion show by local designer Denise Hajjar, a fun skit (reminding us in a very amusing and entertaining way of some of the points of etiquette as indicated in our newly updated charter) performed by the Improv Asylum, and delicious food provided by South End restaurant Ginger Park, you may be wondering what could possibly top that! Wonder no more!
Next month's meeting will be held at the Old South Meeting House, that venerable bastion of history located on the Freedom Trail, on Monday, April the 12th. During that meeting, you will be enveloped in history both old and new.
We will meet the man that keeps the clocks working at the Old South, Old State House and the Custom House, just to name a few. We will also be treated to food and beverage by the new restaurant called "Stoddard's" and will learn of the fascinating link to history that it shares, as well as being introduced to it's new Gastro Brewery located in a very historic spot that is sure to liven up the ladder district with it's distinct personality.
Add in presentations of new tours, fun entertainment and a few costumed historic characters, and it should hopefully welcome in the spring season with new ideas about our great old city.
Also, adding to the April roster is the much awaited and anticipated Table Top Trade Show which will be held at the Castle in Park Plaza on the 26th. Sheldon is doing an amazing job of getting it all together and assures us that there will be some surprises that we'll never forget!
All in all, the monsoon season should be winding down with some extremely bright spots just on the horizon. So, keep smiling and I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting on the 12th and Trade Show on the 26th!
Warmest regards,
Ellen
|
March 8th GBCA Members Meeting at Calderwood Pavilion
|
The March GBCA All Members meeting was held at the Huntington Theatre's Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts. As members arrived they were treated to delightful Asian specialties provided by Ginger Park thanks to executive chef Patrica Yeo. Beer and wine libations were also served.
Ellen Silverman, President of the GBCA welcomed everyone and introduced the staff of Ginger Park and thanked them for their generous hospitality. She then spoke about the evening's program that would follow the business part of the meeting. There would be a short performance by actors from the Improv Asylum and a fashion show provided by Boston designer and boutique owner, Denise Hajjar.
The following speakers were introduced: Adam Roberts from the Huntington Theatre Company welcomed us to their South End performance space, thanked us for all of our support, and spoke about several of their upcoming performances including Becky Shaw and Prelude to a Kiss. Next Pam from Care For Kids a babysitting company that provides service to Boston area hotels for any amount of time from 4 to 24 hours, seven days a week, spoke about her company. Next Maria Shea from Chuan Body and Soul at the Langham spoke about their great new offerings and did a demonstration of one of their mind-body treatments.
Betty Salemme, Chief Financial Officer of the GBCA read the new GBCA charter, highlighting and explaining the changes which were approved at the February meeting. A copy of the new charter will be available on the GBCA website in early April.
Robert Morrissette, Vice President of Membership thanked all who had already sent in their membership forms for this year and reported that there are still a number of concierge members from whom we are awaiting a response. He asked for their help for a quick response as there are many prospective affiliate members who are on the waiting list for membership. We will only know how many we can add once we have received all concierge member applications. Robert also introduced Doug Ely, a new GBCA member from the One Back Bay residences and presented him with his new pin.
Ellen announced that the date for the April meeting at the Old South Meeting House has changed to April 12th.
Ellen also announced that the annual GBCA Hospitality Trade Show will be held at the Park Plaza Castle on April 26th. Please remember to invite all of your bellman, doorman, and front office staff to this informative and fun event! Please contact Sheldon Alman at salman@skipjacks.com with any questions.
The Improv Asylum then presented a skit on "Concierge Etiquette" based on question thrown out to the audience. Norm and Chet from the Improv Asylum also spoke about two new shows coming up at the Improv Asylum. Now running is the hilarious You're a Good Man Scott Brown and beginning April 20th, they will present The Second City, Chicago's renowned improv comedy troupe in a satirical new show about all things Boston.
The meeting ended with a spectacular fashion show presented by Denise Hajjar and highlighting designs from her boutique at the Faimont Copley Plaza. After graduating from The School of Fashion Design, Denise decided to stay close to her Boston roots and start a business here. With almost 30 years in her own design business, Denise has established herself as a top designer, having sold her creations nationally to department stores, specialty boutiques, and individual clients worldwide, including TV and Hollywood stars. Denise believes, "While I show people how to look good on the outside, it is more important that we know how to take care of our insides." She has been part the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women, The ALS Association - "Eleanor's Affair", and "Dress for Success" - Boston, among others. Denise Hajjar has always believed that bringing fashion and celebrity together can entertain people as well as raise funds for important causes. To that end, Denise created and founded "Big Dreams Start Small", an event to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Since inception ten years ago, this event has raised over 2 million dollars for St. Jude's
Special thanks to Denise Hajjar and to G2o Spa & Salon for providing hair and make services for the models.
A fun time was had by all members. As a reminder the next All Members meeting will be at the Old South Meeting House on April 12, 2010.
|
| GBCA Outreach Events
Pride in Service |
The GBCA will be participating in AIDS Walk Boston on Sunday June 6, 2010. Information will forthcoming on how to participate and contribute to our team. Please also look out for information on upcoming outreach events.
- Adam Castiglioni
VP of Public Relations
|
|
Member News |
Welcome:
Michelle Katz and Jess Brega of the W Hotel; Jaime Morocco of the Millenium Bostonian Hotel; Christopher Bareham of the Eliot Hotel; Conor Morey Barrett of the Omni Parker House Hotel; Stasia Zomkowski of 91 Sidney in Cambridge and Ed Tappan of the InterContinental Residences.
Changes:
Chris Leary has moved from Atelier 505 to the Residences at the InterContinental; Joseph Carvalho has moved from the Residences at the InterContinental to Four Seasons Place.
Recent Member Activities:
Ellis Adult Day Center Valentine Party
Paul Duffy entertains with stories of growing up in the South End and enjoying the gym and activities sponsored by the Ellis Center
Barbara and clients playing Valentine games. The GBCA contributed the money for the Ellis Center to purchase a Wii so that the clients can use it for both entertainment and exercise.
Simon Doonan event at Barneys of New York
Thanks to Molly Courcy and the GM of Barneys who invited concierges to a viewing of the special offerings of the Barneys store at Copley Place and held a drawing for two $500 gift certificates for the store.
Please submit any news of awards, changes, updates of GBCA members to gbca@hotmail.com to be included in this section each month. If I have overlooked mentioning any new members, please let me know so that we can introduce you in the next newsletter.
Robert Morrissette
Vice President of Membership
|
| GBCA Web Site -- www.gbcaonline.com |
GBCA members can now access an archive of current and past newsletters for 2009 and 2010, as well as the President's messages and notices by going to our website: www.gbcaonline.com and clicking on the "newsletter" tab. This will give you a link to the web based archive. Once at the archive, you can click on a title and open up the newsletter to keep up on all GBCA information.
Affiliate members will find a listing of their businesses with links to their websites under the tab for "Affiliates" | |
To submit information and pictures for future newsletters please email Adam Castiglioni, Vice President of Public Relations or Robert Morrissette, Vice President of Membership at gbca@hotmail.com Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Save the Date
|
|
|
DATES TO REMEMBER
April 12th - GBCA All Members Meeting at Old South Meeting House
April 26th - GBCA Hospitality Trade Show at The Castle at the Park Plaza
|
|
|
