Yes it is an honor to be recognized by my peers in tourism but the quotes from clients were most enjoyable part. The press release on the event from the Maine Office of Tourism is included in this newsletter. But first a weather report; yes it is snowing here today and we are forecast to get over a foot of new snow. There are blizzard warnings posted until early tomorrow morning. The current temperature is 12 with a northeast wind of around 30 miles per hour. We have had a long stretch of very cold weather, near or below zero every morning for a couple of weeks, but it has been dry with only about a half foot of snow on the ground. Not really enough to cross country ski and certainly not enough to snowshoe. That will not be the case by tomorrow morning.
Rockport, Maine - More than 300 tourism and hospitality professionals gathered February 13th at the Samoset Resort in Rockport for the 2007 Governor's Conference on Tourism.
The theme of the event was "Maine Tourism in the Modern World." "This year's conference was another great opportunity for people from all segments of Maine's tourism industry to share ideas and learn new strategies for improving their business," said Donna Fichtner, chair of the Maine Tourism Commission.
During a luncheon address, Governor Baldacci thanked guests for making the conference one of the best-attended in recent years and noted that the attributes of a close knit tourism community help make it the state's largest industry. He also applauded business owners and organizations for adapting to changing trends in the industry and thinking creatively to help keep Maine a top destination for visitors from around the world.
A highlight of the afternoon was the Maine Tourism Awards ceremony. Fichtner presented the awards which honor individuals, businesses and organizations that have distinguished themselves through their work.
Award winners were: Don Kleiner, co-owner of Maine Outdoors, for Recreation Suppliers; the Sea Dog Brewing Co. and Restaurant of Bangor, for Food Service; 5 Lakes Lodge of Millinocket for Accommodations; the Bangor, Maine Troop Greeters for Public Service; the Farnsworth Art Museum for Arts/Culture and Heritage; Christmas Prelude for Attractions; York County Community Action and the Shoreline Explorer for Transportation; Dickinson's Candies for Retail; and Tina Hewett of the Nonantum Resort for the Governor's Award for Tourism Excellence.
Newly appointed Maine Office of Tourism Director Pat Eltman was impressed with the energy of the attendees and the quality of the conference speakers and presenters. "Maine's tourism operators really have spirit and drive," she said. "The conference was a great success, and I look forward to seeing the industry thrive in 2007."
Thank you to Sherry Byrne of the Maine Tourism Association for the nomination and the kind words. I hope that you all are inside out of the snow and cold this afternoon. To keep our minds off of the weather give me a call or drop me an e-mail so that you can make a reservation today to create a new memory this summer.
Happy Valentines Day!
Don Kleiner
Master Maine Guide
