The Spirit of Springfield is always trying to improve and evolve. As we enter our 25th season and reflect on Bright Night's 20th season, we are preparing a strategic plan.

We recently began the process with Western New England University (WNE) Professor Jack Greeley as the facilitator and the participation of the Spirit of Springfield Board and staff, and a presentation by a team of market research students from WNE under the leadership of Professor Janelle Goodnight.

I look forward to setting new goals and creating better outcomes.

Judy Matt
President

Shoveling Out!

The Bright Nights at Forest Park crew are up to their knees in snow as they trudge through nearly a foot to dismantle the displays. It is their can-do attitude that keeps them motivated to get all the pieces properly stored well before the spring thaw.

Bright Nights Survey Results

Thanks to the input from several hundred Bright Nights visitors, we got a glimpse of how far they traveled, how they heard about us, if they will come again, if they came more than once, demographics and more.

Here is just a sample:

* Previously attended - 81%
* Coming since 1995 - 27%
* Came more than once in 2014 - 21%
* Plan to return again - 92%
* Came from out of the area - 44%
* Visited a restaurant - 33%
* Became a Bright Nights Loyalty Card Member - 60%

If you would like to learn more or reach Bright Nights' visitors, contact amy@spiritofspringfield.org for advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

Bright Nights Selfie Gallery

Throughout Bright Nights 20th season, visitors submitted their "selfies." In case you missed them on Facebook, here are just some of the happy, smiling faces from 2014.

Submit yours at selfie@brightnights.org.

The Spirit of Springfield is a private, non-profit corporation

which produces high-quality,

large-scale events in the city of Springfield.

Our mission is to promote community events and
encourage civic pride.

Celebrating 25 Years of Springfield's
Biggest, Best and Brightest

In This Issue

Shoveling Out!

Bright Nights Survey Results

Bright Nights Selfie Gallery

Guest Corner

John Hesslein, Vice President/ Station Manager & Director of Sales, WSHM, WGGB & EGGB

Western Massachusetts is growing and CBS 3 is growing right along with it! WSHM, CBS 3 owned by Meredith Corporation has completed the purchase of WGGB, abc 40 and Fox 6. Now this may sound unusual that one company owns three network affiliates in the same market, but it's actually not. There are several cities throughout the United States that can boast the same phenomenon.

WSHM, WGGB and Fox 6 is a great combination for viewers for one simple reason...Local News coverage! WGGB is a heritage station with a 50 year history of delivering the accurate and dependable local and national news. Fox 6 started broadcasting only seven years ago and has quickly assimilated into the marketplace with the area's only 10pm newscast. CBS3 Springfield is nationally award winning newscast that delivers all of today's top stories and tomorrow's forecast in the first five minutes of each newscast. At no other time in Springfield history has this much local experience, news credibility and technical capabilities been under one roof working to benefit all of Western Massachusetts.

All three stations will be helping the Spirit of Springfield celebrate its 25th anniversary throughout 2015. You might even see someone you know giving well wishes while attending the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast or the Tower Square Parade of the Big Balloons.