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Dear members and friends:
2016 has certainly started out with a bang! Our GBCA All- Members Fam Trip to Foxwoods Resort and Casino was a huge success thanks to our good friends at Grayline Brush Hill Tours who steered us from Boston to Connecticut on Monday, January 11, 2016. Members enjoyed snacks, a virtual tour and a movie during our ride including yummy brownies made by our host Debbie Ovellette-Office Manager and liaison to Grayline Brush Hill Tours. We were graciously met at Foxwoods by William Gonzalez; Bus Marketing Sales Manager and Concierge Patricia Loveday-Peacock who coincidentally has ties to Boston--previously working at the Bostonian and Sheraton hotels. Patricia and her co-worker Michael Goudreau took us on a tour of their beautiful resort including the new outlet shopping mall and an incredible suite in the towers. Complimentary match play tickets and a delicious buffet lunch were provided in the Festival Buffet. Members were also given gift bags filled with goodies to mark this special occasion. Look for more exciting opportunities from Foxwoods in the coming year.
It was fun on the harbor with International Concierge Associates and GBCA Concierge members who met at the Boston Harbor Hotel's ice skating rink on January 13, 2016. Over 30 members of the concierge community met at the Rowes Wharf Bar for specialty cocktails and an delightful array of fabulous food. Folks took the time to go outside and enjoy "Winter on the Wharf- A Season of 5-Star Fun and Festivities Imagined and refined by the Boston Harbor Hotel". The Rotunda Rink can accommodate up to 75 skaters at one time. The GBCA had a few Dorothy Hamill's of our own enjoying this special ice skating event. A big thank you to Manager, Phil Huber and Jaime Campos, Director of Operations for hosting such an incredible event.
Our GBCA 26th Anniversary Gala evening was hosted by the new kids on the block, "Ocean Prime Boston", the exciting new restaurant in the Seaport District. Over 200 members of the GBCA and their guests enjoyed a tremendous raw bar, delicious sliders and incredible hand rolled sushi as well as an abundance of passed appetizers and desserts. Members enjoyed an extraordinary bar menu of signature cocktails and refreshing wines and spirits while dancing to the music of our "DJ" and Vice President of Public Relations, Evan Martin.
The stunning room was enhanced with beautiful floral designs donated by our own Affiliate business members Stapleton's Floral Design. Thank you to Julie Ingles for adding her welcoming touch to the elegant dining room and cocktail lounge. David Fox, Photographer, delighted members as he photographed folks in front of the elegant floor to ceiling Ocean Prime screen. A big thank you to David for once again sharing with us what he does best and always making us look so good.
The always positive and upbeat Ocean Prime General Manager Nick Foley greeted our members and introduced his remarkable team including Chef Bryce Sims and Chef Ian Gallant who presented an amazing banquet of scrumptious food. He also gave a big shout out to Manager, Rebecca Ouimette who worked the room ensuring that all of our members' needs were met. The GBCA gave an arousing applause to Rachel Norman, Private Dining and Events Manager. Rachel was instrumental in the overall success of the evening from beginning to end. Her wonderful talent and creativity were apparent everywhere you looked around the room.
A big thank you to all of the incredible staff at Ocean Prime for making the GBCA Anniversary Gala the true winner it was, one that will be talked about and shared for many years to come.
During the presentation part of the evening, members thanked former Vice President of Operations, Debra Hegger, concierge at the Westin Waterfront Hotel and Bonnie O'Hare, concierge at the Marriott Custom House for their many years of service as outgoing officers of the GBCA. Up to the podium came our illustrious Election Committee hosts Guy Neil, General Manager of Legal Sea Foods Harborside; and Mark Miller, Publisher of Where Boston Magazine who introduced the incoming 2016 board of directors.
Betty Salemme: President
Gina Guange: Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer Stanish: Secretary
Kirstin Beal: Affiliate Representative
Daymeyn Gantt: Vice President of Operations
Gabriel Toussaint: Vice President of Membership
Evan Martin: Vice President of Public Relations
And a huge thank you to Co-Founder and Honorary Member, Elizabeth Carey who has once again accepted the position as advisor to the GBCA. Without her guidance, knowledge and expertise the GBCA could not be the respected association it is today.
A major part of the evening was the announcement of the 2016 Exceptional Service Award winners. This year's recipients were Joe Donleavy, Director of Sales and Corporate Development for the Citi Performing Arts Center; and Bob Schwartz, Director of Marketing and Sales for Boston Duck Tours. Joe and Bob have both dedicated their time, knowledge, energy and resources to the association for over 20 years. Each has served on the board of directors as Affiliate Representatives; and each has played an essential role in the on-going success of the GBCA Hospitality Trade Show. Having members as committed to the association as Joe and Bob is what makes this organization so spectacular!
In closing, I ask that you all send your e-mails of appreciation for a stellar 2016 Anniversary Gala to our friends at Ocean Prime and thank them for their supreme generosity in making our gala so exceptional.
Until next time, thank you to all of our members and friends for supporting this year's board of directors. The association could not be what it is today without the sustenance of our membership.
With Pride in Service,
You're President Betty Salemme.
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2016 Exceptional Service Award Winner
Joe Donlavey
Joe Donlavey joined the Citi Performing Arts Center in April of 2014 as the Director of Sales and Corporate Development. He is managing the Group Sales Department and overseeing corporate sales as well as working with the Development Department on fundraising and cultivation events.
Prior to joining the Citi Center Joe Donlavey was the Director of Ticketing, Tourism & Special Events for Arts Boston for 25 years. Mr. Donlavey represents the Citi Center at organizations around the city and the state, including the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Boston Concierge Association (GBCA). He served as an officer at the GBCA for five years and spearheaded the annual trade show. In 2000, Mr. Donlavey received the Massachusetts Hospitality Award at the Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism. A recognized national leader in the field, he has led seminars for the Association of Performing Arts Service Organizations and for ArtsBoston's Professional Development Workshop series. He was the co-chair of the INTIX (International Ticketing Association) planning committee for the 2006 convention which was held in Boston.
Joe Donlavey has also served as a box office consultant to the Boston Center for the Arts and the TD Garden and was the Box Office Treasurer for Shear Madness at Boston's Charles Playhouse. He has a B.A. in Theatre and Art History from Boston College and a Certificate in Business Administration and Management from Harvard University.
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2016 Exceptional Service Award Winner
Bob Schwartz
 
Bob Schwartz is the Director of Marketing and Sales of Boston Duck Tours which is a land & water sightseeing tour in Boston and the largest amphibious sightseeing tour in the world with a fleet of 28 vehicles that carry over 600,00 guests each season from March - November. He is in charge of all aspects of sales, marketing, PR and oversight of website design. Bob has been in the tourism industry for 17 years and majored in Marketing at UMass Dartmouth.
Bob has served on the board of the Greater Boston Concierge Association for 2 years and is an active member of Meeting Planners International and the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau. He also is the co-founder of the Boston Attractions Group and sits on the China Ready committee for the GBCVB.
He has also helped set up partnerships with over 50 local restaurants and attractions which has led to great working relationships with many of Boston's premier tourism organizations.
With no advertising budget, Boston Duck Tours has to get creative with ITS marketing. Boston Duck Tours' #1 form of advertising is and always has been by word of mouth since it's inception in 1994. Being an extremely visible company has allowed Boston Duck Tours many opportunities to collaborate with several organizations to cross promote their product while promoting our own. Boston Duck Tours is very fortunate to be the official vehicles for all of Boston's sports teams' championship parades.
Boston Duck Tours is also an active member of the community, supporting 6 local charitable causes through its "Quack, Quack, Give Back" program. Last year the program raised $70,000 from guests rounding up to the next dollar and Boston Duck Tours matching it 100%. Supporting smaller organizations can make a bigger difference so we choose to support: The Charles River Clean Up Boat, Community Boating, the Charles River Watershed Association, The Boston Public Library Youth Programs, The Bostonian Society and the First Corps of Cadets Museum.
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2016 GBCA Hospitality Trade Show!
We are in full force planning mode for the 2016 GBCA Tradeshow and with your help, it will be the best yet!
I am excited to say that Affiliates and Concierges will be receiving a SAVE THE DATE very soon. In the meantime, please consider volunteering your time to help the board with this amazing event. I am in need of volunteers to assist with the following:
RECRUITMENT OF NEW VENDORS: I'll take as many people as I can get!
VENDOR COORDINATION, 2-3 people to help with making sure that we have all the necessary information and paperwork from each vendor.
DOOR PRIZE COMMITTEE, 3-6 people are needed for this committee
DAY OF VOLUNTEERS - And once again, as many people as I can get to work various shifts. I will need help starting at 10am with various duties (& various shifts) including tradeshow floor set up, table assignments, vendor check in, helping your fellow vendors load in, general runners during vendor set up time and breakdown help.
Please email Krissy Beal at krissyb@blueman.com with the subject line "GBCA Tradeshow Volunteer". Your help is greatly appreciated & thank you in advance!
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Dear members and friends,
On March 8, 2016, local Les Clefs d'Or concierges will represent you, the city of Boston and New England, at their annual congress in Montreal Canada. This exciting event will play host to hundreds of concierges from around the world.
This congress is designed to provide continued education, abundant networking opportunities, a receptive sales and marketing forum a business trade show and more to those able to attend.
As you may remember from Boston hosting Les Clefs d'Or, USA's congress four years ago, costs are significant. An annual fundraiser called the "Tiger Raffle" helps pay for congress expenses. Local concierge associations play a key role in the success of this raffle. Les Clefs d'Or and Association members work with hospitality partners to create packages which include hotel rooms, dinners/meals, theater/tour tickets, transportation, accommodation, spa treatments and more.
In the past, we have created multiple packages including an eight night New England Sampler package, Make it in Massachusetts package, Best of Boston package and others. Our members have been generous past contributors to this fundraiser. Now more than ever, we hope to have your support.
Please ask your hotels, business partners and friends to contribute to the creation of package(s) from Boston and New England. Help us show our strength and solidarity by showing the Clefs d'Or world that Boston remains a vibrant and wonderful a place to visit. With your support, we'll create packages that'll create a buzz about Boston and beyond.
Please send your donation to me, Betty Salemme, "Boston and Beyond Packages" Seaport Hotel/WTCB, 1 Seaport Lane Boston, MA 02210, by February 15, 2016. Or, contact me directly and I will make arrangements to pick up your donation. Thank you for your continued support.
With Pride in Service
Betty Salemme
Member of Les Clefs d'Or USA
President, GBCA
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Boston Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog reports...
The Element Boston Seaport, Boston's newest hotel, opened on Thursday January 14th at 391-395 D Street in Boston's Seaport District. Part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts (soon to be part of Marriott), the Element is a 180-room hotel located adjacent to a soon-to-open Aloft Hotel. | |
that the Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro has been purchased by the Saunders Hotel Group, owners of Boston's Lenox Hotel, from Peter and Cilla Rait who opened the hotel 15 years ago on Charles Street.
For the Saunders family, including a Beacon Hill property in their portfolio of local hotels is returning to their roots. Jacob Saunders lived at 41 Anderson Street in the late 1800s after immigrating from his native Lithuania. He began to invest in real estate. His descendants established the hotel business in 1940, and now the family's fourth generation, including Alexander J. Saunders, vice president of planning and development, has entered the business, the flagship of which is the Lenox Hotel in the Back Bay.
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DISCOUNTED SKI TICKETS
2015-2016 SEASON
Loon Mountain
Adult (19-64) All-Day lift ticket or
Intro to ski/snowboard package 13 & older
Voucher $74 ($11 savings)
No Restrictions, redeem voucher at Rental Shop
Waterville Valley
Adult 19 & up-$52 ($77 at the gate)
Waterville Teen 13-18-$42 ($67 at the gate)
No Restrictions
Attitash/Wildcat Mountain
Adult ages 19-64 mid-week, non-holiday-$45
($75 at the gate)
Adult 19-64-any day $60 ($75 at the gate)
Young adults ages 13-18 $47 ($60-$64 at the gate)
Junior/Senior ages 6-12 & 65 & up $37 ($50-$54 at the gate)
CRANMORE MOUNTAIN
Adult tickets $61($70 at the gate)
Teen $50 ($57 at the gate)
Youth 6-12 $36 ($43 at the gate)
Tubing open Fri-Sun & Holiday
$25 ($29 at the gate) 42" and up
Contact Betty 617-385-4510
or
Natalia 617-385-5049
Tickets may be purchased with cash only.
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DON'T MISS DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO
DISNEY ON ICE
February 13th - 11:00am
Loge 6 rows 17-19 @ $32 each
Club 137 rows C&D @ $32 each
February 19th -7:00pm
Loge 5 rows 22-25 - $17 each
Loge 12 rows 9&11 - $$37 each
Club 137 rows D&C - $27 each
February 21st - 5:00pm
Loge 6 rows 23-26 - $17 each
Loge 1 row 7 & 13 - $37 each
Club 137 rows C & D - $27 each
To purchase tickets please call:
Betty Salemme at 617-385-4510 or email:betty.salemme@seaportboston.com
Tickets can be purchased: Cash or check!
Dead line -February 5, 2016.
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GBCA 2016 Board
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President:
Betty Salemme
Vice President of Operations:
Daymeyn Gantt
Vice President of Public Relations:
Evan Martin
Vice President of Membership:
Gabriel Toussaint
Chief Financial Officer:
Gina Guange
Recording Secretary:
Jennifer Stanish
Affiliate Representative:
Krissy Beal
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Help Wanted....
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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!
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(Concierge Only)
Frank DePasquale's 9th Annual
Super Bowl Party at Bricco Ristorante
February 7, 2016
6:00pm
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Evan Martin
Chef Concierge
DoubleTree by Hilton
Boston - Cambridge
A DoubleTree
PARTY!
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GBCA Information
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The Greater Boston Concierge Association
PO Box 52440
Boston MA 02205
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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.
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GBCA Lapel Pins
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Show your GBCA pride at your hotel with an official GBCA lapel pin!
Available at our next meeting for only $10!
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