Dear members and friends:

  

Well spring is finally upon us, and a sure sign of this was at the Charles River Bistro & GBCA Annual Clean-Up Day on April 8, 2016!! Our volunteers enjoyed beautiful spring weather as we raked, painted and pruned back shrubbery around this historical site. What a pleasure it was to work together and support the beautification of the iconic Esplanade in anticipation of our many visitors and guests to Boston. Thank you again to our hard working volunteers. Enjoy the many photos of members as they worked together to create memorable experiences of giving back to our community and learn more about what the Charles River Bistro has to offer in this month's newsletter.

  

  

GBCA concierge members enjoyed a Sunday afternoon Providence Bruins Hockey Game on April 3, 2016. Members were treated to box seats in the Sports Club, complete with a buffet lunch while watching the Providence Bruins win over the Hershey's. The Providence Bruins play hockey at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence Road Island adjacent to the Providence Place Shopping Mall and just a few blocks from the commuter rail station. This year, many of our members took advantage of the discount tickets that we offered. We are looking forward to continuing similar offerings in the upcoming 2016-2017 season. To learn more about the Providence Bruins, check out their web site at www.providencebruins.com.

  

The GBCA Hospitality Trade Show took place on April 11, 2016 at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. This breathtaking event showcased more than 130 businesses including restaurants, museums, shops, attractions and more to nearly 250 concierges and hotel guest services attendees. Volunteers from the GBCA and their friends, checked in vendors, registered guests and supported the event from the beginning right through to the end with breakdown and clean up. Our hard-working Affiliate Representative Krissy Beal and her team made it look so easy as they transformed the raw cruise terminal space into a Mecca entertainment center, complete with incredible food and beverage stations, live animals, social engagement and stimulating networking throughout the room. Calls and emails of praise for a magnificent event have been pouring in all month. Be sure to enjoy all the fabulous photos of this unforgettable event attached.

  

Our own Vice President of Public Relations Evan Martin was on hand to entertain us with music and his terrific sense of humor. Evan is the epitome of showmanship -- always the right thing to say and do to keep us amused. Thank you Evan for volunteering your flair and charm; clearly a man of many talents! Be sure to check out his work at www.evanmartinproductions.com.

  

Our photo genius for the evening was David Fox of David Fox Photographer, who again captured the beauty and elegance of the night. Be sure to review all the great images David has captured of us at all of our meetings and events as well as those of this year's show. David's work is legendary throughout the community and beyond. Please reach out to him for all your photography needs. And again David, thank you for your volunteerism to our association and all the support you have given us over the years, we are extremely grateful for your kindness. www.davidfoxphotographer

  

  

And a huge thank you to Affiliate Representative Krissy Beal, the GBCA board of directors, the 2016 trade show committee and all of the many volunteers, businesses, members and guests who made the 2016 GBCA Hospitality Trade Show the success it was, one that folks will be talking about for years to come. And members, I encourage you to support the businesses that showcased their goods and services during this occasion. These companies are the best Boston has to offer, so take what you have learned and share that knowledge with your co-workers and guests. Educating and networking are at the core of GBCA's mission; the tradeshow is the valuable platform that puts this task to work!

  

Of special note: The JFK Library and Museum has a new stimulating exhibit. Ernest Hemingway: Between Two Wars. Showcasing the JFK Library's Hemingway Collection, this is the first-ever foremost museum exhibition devoted to the work and life of Ernest Hemingway. The exhibit features a trove of rarely exhibited material, including multiple drafts of the writer's major works, correspondence with a legendary circle of expatriate writers living in 1920s Paris, as well as photographs and a selection of Hemingway's personal belongings. The exhibit runs through December 2016. A special thank goes to Lee Statham, Director of Special Events and Visitor Services for sharing this special exhibit with us and for her generous support over the years. www.jfklibrary.org

  

Lastly, a heartfelt mention of gratitude goes to the volunteers who offered to prepare lunch and dinner, serve meals to clients and clean up after for the Boston Living Center. Our members worked on four separate occasions to show their care and concern by giving back to an organization that provides services and delicious meals to those living with HIV. Again thank you to the Outreach Committee and their friends and families who took the time to volunteer at these meaningful venues. See lots of photos from this event and others where our members have given back to the community. And remember we can always use more capable hands! www.vpi.org

  

I look forward to seeing you next week at the New England Aquarium for our GBCA May 2, 2016 all-member meeting. Be sure to arrive on time as the agenda is chock full of exciting news and appealing guest speakers.

  

With pride in services,

Your president,

Betty Salemme