Greater Boston Concierge Association

Newsletter

January / February 2015

 

                    

 

Important Links

GBCA web site 

 

Les Clefs D'or

 

ArtsBoston.org 

 

Convention & Visitors Bureau  


 

GBCA Member Meeting

Monday March 9th

Union Oyster House
41 Union St.
Boston, MA

 

 

 

GBCA Holiday Gala  

Photos by David Fox


 

 


 

Click on the link below to view the full photo library

 

GBCA Gala Photos 

 

 

 


 


Special Thanks to Tena Reynolds and her amazing staff at Merchant Restaurant for hosting our February GBCA Board Meeting!  For more info visit www.themerchantboston.com/
 
 
Photos by Evan Martin

 

 

 

 

Holiday Gift Wrap
 
Thank you to all the volunteers Walter Janulewicz, Robert Morrisette, Betty Salemme, John Welby, Chelsea Lorenzen, Crystal Lantin(G2O), Cathy Hutchinson, Paul Duffy, Matt Tomkewicz, Nina Senatore, Jeremy Diflaminies, Joseph Carvalo, Beverly Mahaffey, and Tracy Slater from the Ellis Memorial Adult Health Program who gave their time to help gift wrap outside of Barnes and Noble over the holiday season.
We raised $781.00 to donate to The Ellis Memorial Center in the South End. The money will go to the adult health program to help provide meals and activities in and outside the center. Also thanks to the Four Seasons for doing their own gift wrap with the residence raising $350.00. With everyone's help including a donation of the difference from the GBCA, we are able to donate a combined total of $1,300. 
"There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others" (Mandy Hale)
  
In friendship,
Deb Hegger

 

 


 

Meet Visitors' Academic Requests With Signet Education LLC
 
Signet Education, a boutique Harvard-square tutoring, test-prep, and admissions consulting company, has worked with successfully with several Boston-area concierges over the last ten years. Signet can help with the following requests that come from guests: 
  • Campus tours of Harvard
  • Discussions with families about admittance to college
  • Short-term SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, or other exam preparation (and also medium- and longer-term)
  • English Instruction, including TOEFL instruction
  • Opportunities to connect with Harvard university professors and students
 
We provide white-glove service and can work directly with concierges to provide a seamless experience for guests. 


 



 

In the Mood
May 12-24, 2015
Citi Emerson Colonial Theatre
 
YOUR Prices $20.75 - $72.00
Regular Prices $25.00 - $89.00
Use code: CONCIERGE
 
To Order tickets with your savings code: 
 
Hop aboard the "Chattanooga Choo Choo" to "Tuxedo Junction" and get "In the Mood" to hear a "Moonlight Serenade" performed by a 13-piece Big Band and a half dozen singer-dancers with some hot boogie woogie with In The Mood!
In The Mood is a fully staged tribute to Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, The Andrews Sisters and big band greats of the '40s. Complete with period costumes and choreography, In The Mood celebrates America's greatest generation that listened and boogied to up-tempo big band rhythms and danced to intimate ballads. Experience the jazzy, brassy, sentimental and patriotic music of the World War II era.
 
 


 

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
May 15 - 17, 2015
Citi Shubert Theatre
 
YOUR Price $54.00 and $67.50
Regular Price $60.00 and $75.00
Use code: CONCIERGE
 
To Order tickets with your savings code: 
 
Founded in 2003, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet has distinguished itself through its exceptionally talented corps of sixteen dancers, its constant quest for new forms and an extraordinary repertory of work by some of the world's most forward-thinking choreographers.
 
"The 16-member Cedar Lake...has become a New York success story, possibly the country's most innovative contemporary ballet troupe with an A-list repertoire, and an accent on creation that few companies worldwide can match." -New York Times
 
The Dance Series is sponsored by The Little Family Foundation and the John S. and Cynthia Reed Foundation.
 


 

Mozart's Don Giovanni

May 1 - 10, 2015
Citi Shubert Theatre
 
YOUR Price $26.00 - $190.00
Regular Price $30.00 - $223.00
Use code: CONCIERGE
 
To Order tickets with your savings code: 
 
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
Sung in Italian with projected English translation
 

Don Giovanni is a man obsessed. Women rule his life; he desires them, he seduces them, he runs from them. In Mozart's most celebrated drama, women lead Giovanni from the bedroom to the gates of hell. In this new BLO production, Jennifer Johnson Cano sings the role of Donna Elvira, the woman scorned who pursues Giovanni to the ends of the earth, with new sensation Duncan Rock in the title role. Vivid and transfixing, Mozart's work is filled with exquisite music, intense drama, and comedic insights.
 

 


Help Wanted....

   

 

Job Opportunity with Crescent Hotels and Resorts!

 

Click here for details


 

_____________________________________________

 

Craigslist Boston  

 

HCAREERS 

 

BOSTON.COM MONSTER 

 

The links above will direct you in your search for concierge positions and other industry related careers.

 

if you have a position at your hotel or condominium and business concierge desks, please let us know.

 

Please send details to us so we can announce them here.

 

gbca@hotmail.com

 

Thank you and Good Luck!

 

 

 

GBCA 2014 Board

President:
 Betty Salemme

Vice President of Operations:
Debra Hegger

Vice President of Public Relations:
Evan Martin
 
 Vice President of Membership: Daymeyn Gantt
 
 Chief Financial Officer:
 Gina Guange

Recording Secretary:
Bonnie O'Hare

Affiliate Representative:
Kristen Beal
 
 Advisor:
Elizabeth Carey

 

GBCA Member News
We love hearing from our members! If you have any special events, awards, recognitions please let us know. We would love to share your info with fellow GBCA members in any of our newsletters. Please send any info you like to GBCA@Hotmail.com
so we can get it into our next newsletter. 

 

President's Letter 

 

 

 

Dear members and friends:

 

This year we celebrated an historical milestone for our association, marking 25 successful years of service to the hospitality community in Greater Boston. This historic occasion was memorialized by what I believe was the most incredible GBCA Anniversary Gala ever!

 

The event took place at the Top of the Hub's Skywalk at Prudential Center. A huge debt of gratitude and praise goes to General Manager, Raphael Oliver for hosting this year's affair. The view from the Skywalk was magnificent, but the view inside the room was what most of our guests were talking most about. The table settings were beautiful with floral arrangements donated by our good friends and members of the GBCA Stapleton Floral Design. Thank you to Julie Ingles and owners Yianni and Bette Tsaousidis for your generous contribution to our special night. The delectable buffet tables included carving stations, pasta dishes, a make your own potato station and so much more. The wait staff and chefs worked diligently to see that all of our members' needs were met. The dessert and coffee stations included the most tantalizing desserts ever, including éclairs, cannoli, cookies, and even a cotton candy machine. An unbelievable cake depicting the GBCA logo was made exclusively for the GBCA by Montilio's Bakery in Braintree.

 

All of this planning and execution was orchestrated under the direction of the amazing Kay McCarthy; the Top of the Hub's Skywalk at Prudential Center Director of Catering. From beginning to end, Kay was always there using her vast experience and know-how to make the evening a true victory.  How very fortunate we were to have Kay McCarthy at the helm of what we are all calling the best GBCA event ever! Thank you to our volunteers Colby Hegger and Kyle Westling for manning our registration table.

 

As guests entered the room, they were given a copy of the commemorative 25th Anniversary Gala Program. A huge debt of gratitude for the achievement of this program goes to Rita Fucillo, Vice President, Publishing New Venture Media Group LLC. Rita and her team worked tirelessly on a program that really showcased the accomplishments of the GBCA over these past 25 years. Thank you to all of our members and friends of the GBCA who contributed their ads, letters and photos to make the program such an amazing tribute and keepsake to the GBCA and its unwavering endurance.

 

Another delight of the evening was the photo station, thanks to member David Fox of David Fox Photographer. David assisted us with the opportunity to have members and guests take their photo with the Boston Skyline and the GBCA logo as a back drop. Members are now able to choose their photos from the website at any time. Evan Martin our Vice President of Public Relations set up a photo library of the GBCA over the years. Seeing these photos brought back some great memories to all of our long time members of the GBCA.

 

The music and dancing were also a jubilant part of the evening's agenda with the rocking tunes of the band "Groove Authority" members danced the night away!!

A special thank you to our guest speakers. General Manager, Top of the Hub Raphael Oliver, who decisively delayed a trip he had planned to attend the anniversary gala and greet the members of the GBCA. Raphael shared his support of our organization and committed himself and his team to continue providing the best food and service available -- something our concierges have always known and remain dedicated over these many years.

 

Kenneth Brissette Director, Mayor's Office of Tourism, Sports & Entertainment for the City of Boston  read

a proclamation signed by the honorable Mayor Martin J. Walsh, proclaiming January 25, 2015 "Concierge Recognition Day". We are all incredibly blessed by the strong support of the Mayor's Office and the efforts offered to us by our good friend, Ken Brissette.

 

What an honor it was to have Patrick Moscaritolo President and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau address the crowd. Pat is a founding member of the GBCA so he knows firsthand the dedication we have to the city of Boston and beyond. Pat praised our members and shared stories of the commitment and support the GBCVB has with the GBCA. Pat also recognized his coworker Paul Phillips       for his work with the organization.

 

Our next guest speaker was James Rooney, Executive Director, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.

Mr. Rooney applauded the GBCA and its members on their years of service to Boston. He also spoke about the relationship and commitment of Boston's hospitality community and what we all do to make our city the fine destination it is today.

 

It was a true honor to be recognized for the work we do as ambassadors of Boston by the Mayor's Office, the GBCVB and the MCCA. Thank you again Raphael, Ken, Pat and Jim for taking the time to address our group. We all thank you for your support.

 

A significant part of the evening was the announcements of the 2015 board of directors by our steadfast election team of, Honorary Member, Past Affiliate Representative, General Manager of Legal Harborside; Guy Neil and Honorary Member, Publisher of Where Magazine; Mark Miller. These two superior gentlemen introduced the 2015 board of directors with the same fun and flair that we have all come to enjoy over the years. Thank you again Guy and Mark for your commitment, passion and loyalty to our organization.

 

The 2015 GBCA Board of Directors incumbents are;

Secretary; Bonnie O'Hare, Chief Financial Officer; Gina Grange, Vice President of Membership; Daymeyn Gant, Vice President of Public Relations; Evan Martin and President; Betty Salemme.

 

New to the board, but not new to the concierge community is Vice President of Operations; Debra Hager. Debra has been an active member of the association, supporting past Vice President of Membership; Ellen Coppinger. Also a first time board member, but not new to the association with her support of the GBCA affiliate trade show committee member Kirstin Beal. Krissy has joined our team as Affiliate Representative, a position most recently held by Julie Doherty Pagano.  Certificates of appreciation were presented to Julie and Ellen with gratitude for their unwavering support as board members over the years.

 

The real highlight of the evening was the presentation of the first ever GBCA "Exceptional Service Awards" The first award was presented to Elizabeth Carey.

Elizabeth is a founding honorary member of the GBCA. Twenty five years ago Elizabeth worked with the founding members in establishing the organization. It was with her hard work, dedication and commitment that the GBCA is where it is today. Elizabeth has dedicated herself to the growth of the organization as the first ever Advisor to the GBCA, a role she holds today. Elizabeth has guided the GBCA and its officers through the years. She has volunteered tirelessly to support its endeavors through her charitable work as well as being the creator of the South End Library Reading Program.

 

The second "Exception Recognition Award" was presented to a man that is most often referred to as Mr. Boston. Paul Phillips is the Visitor Services Manager for the Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau. He has been a member of the GBCA for almost 15 years. He has dedicated his time, energy and resources to visitors to Boston and the surrounding areas. He attends all GBCA meetings and events. Paul's weekly column, "Paul's Picks" is an extraordinary tool used by hotel concierge and guests alike. Paul is a wealth of knowledge - a walking encyclopedia of the city. There is no question Paul could not answer about Boston and he shares his knowledge being the GBCVB concierge liaison making our jobs easier each day. Congratulations to both Elizabeth and Paul for being the Greater Boston Concierge Association's 2014 Exceptional Service Award recipients. Also thank you to Michael Southwick, President of Lifestyles Transportation for providing complimentary transportation for our recipients.

 

A big thank you to the GBCA board of directors for your kind letter of support read by our own GBCA Adviser Elizabeth Carey. Your kind words overwhelmed me and made my commitment to this fine organization even stronger. Thank you to all of you for your trust in me to lead the GBCA in 2015. I will work hard to make you all proud.  Here's to another 25 Years!

 

 

With Pride in service, you're President

Betty Salemme

 

 

Click on link below for important information regarding our code of conduct. 


 

GBCA Code of Conduct
 

 

 

The GBCA Presents

the 2015 Exceptional Service Award to...

 

Elizabeth Carey

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Attract China

and

Paul Phillips

Visitor Services Supervisor

Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

 

 

Elizabeth Carey is an honorary member of the GBCA. Twenty five years ago Elizabeth, using her strong business sense and amazing talents, worked with the founding board of directors to establish the GBCA. It is through her hard work, dedication and commitment that the GBCA is where it is today. Elizabeth has dedicated herself to the growth of the organization establishing the GBCA Election process and procedures; and is the first ever Advisor to the GBCA, a role she continues to hold today. Elizabeth has continually guided the GBCA and its officers throughout the years. She has volunteered tirelessly to support our endeavors through her charitable work as well as being the founder of the Barnes & Noble South End Library Reading Program. Congratulations to Elizabeth Carey, on receiving the 2015 Exceptional Service Award.

 

 

Paul Phillips has been a member of the GBCA for almost 15 years. He has dedicated his time, energy and resources to visitors to Boston and the surrounding areas. He attends all GBCA meetings and events. Paul's weekly column, Paul's Picks is an extraordinary tool used by hotel concierge and guests alike. Paul is a wealth of knowledge - a walking encyclopedia to the city. There is no question Paul could not answer about Boston and he shares his knowledge, being the GBCVB concierge liaison making our jobs easier each day. Congratulations to Paul Phillips, on receiving the 2015 Exceptional Service Award.

 


7 Medford St
Arlington, MA 02474

 

There are some amazing shows coming up at the famous Regent Theatre in Arlington MA!

 

Click on the link below for full show details

 

http://regenttheatre.com/

 

And please contact regentevents@gmail.com

with any inquiries.

 

 

 


 


 


 

 
Dear Colleagues in Hospitality and Tourism,
 
I hope you are doing well as we experience record-breaking snowfalls in Boston and surroundings, and deal with all that brings!    
 
Looking ahead to the tour season, I am forwarding our new rates for 2015.    Let me know if you have any questions.   As always, I really appreciate your business, and enjoy working with you!     
 
With Warm Regards,
 
Una McMahon
Tour Director
 


 


 

 

Les Clefs d'Or

Tiger Raffle
 

  Les Clefs d'Or, USA is the only professional hotel concierge association in the nation that is recognized all over the world. On July 17, 2015 Boston's Les Clefs d'Or members will be representing our city in New Orleans. The Les Clefs d'Or congress will welcome approximately 600 concierge and 50 dignitaries from the hospitality industries including South America, Canada and around the world.


 

 This five day congress is made up of educational symposiums, business meeting, guest speakers, networking and a receptive sales and marketing forum. The cost of hosting this event can be substantial. One way we offset the cost is by holding an event called the Tiger Raffle. In the past years, local associations have been key sponsors in the success of this raffle. Les Clefs d'Or members work with their perspective city of hospitality professional to put together package consisting of hotel accommodation, dinner reservations, theater tickets, transportation and more. Please help our members by making a donation to the "Boston Package". All donations will be listed in the Les Clefs d'Or program as well as being announced during the raffle segment at the congress gala.


 

 Because Boston is a major destination city, with so much to see and do, I know together we can create several fabulous packages. If you have any questions, please contact me at 617-385-4510. All donations may be sent to Betty Salemme "Boston Package" Seaport Hotel 1 Seaport Lane Boston, Mass. 02210. Or contact me at your earliest convenience and I will make arrangements to pick up your donation. Please send in your donation soon and your contribution will be added to the Les Clefs d'Or email list going out to all members. So don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to showcase your business to members of this elite group.


 

 Also, a limited amount of raffle tickets will be on sale. Tickets are $25 each and may be purchase with cash or check.


 

Click here for an amazing list of raffle prizes!
 


 

Dine Out Contest!
 

 
 


 


 

GBCA Lapel Pins

Show your GBCA pride at your hotel with an official GBCA lapel pin!

Available at our next meeting for only $10!

 
GBCA Information

The Greater Boston Concierge Association
304 Newbury St.
Box # 526
Boston, Massachusetts 02115