2014/15 Mystic Country Visitors Guide now on stands
The official Mystic Country Visitors Guide is complimentary and is the region’s largest tourism publication covering 42 towns and the two casinos making up eastern Connecticut – known as Mystic Country. This magazine is a collaboration between The Day, the Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and the Greater Mystic Visitors Bureau.
“The Mystic Country Visitors Guide presents our region to the visitor in an organized and compelling format,” said Ed Dombroskas, executive director of the Eastern Regional Tourism District. “Packaging eastern Connecticut as one cohesive destination shows our guests just how much there is to do here and encourages them to explore not only our major attractions, but also our little known gems.”
Distribution of the Mystic Country Visitors Guide has started and select locations throughout Connecticut, New York, Northern New Jersey and Massachusetts should be well stocked by the beginning of May. Visit www.mystic.org to request a copy of the Visitors Guide. To request a supply of Visitors Guides for your business, please contact the Eastern Regional Tourism District at 860-536-8822 or info@mysticcountry.com.
Brochure Swaps kick-off National Travel & Tourism Week
The Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country celebrates National Tourism Week with its 2014 Brochure Swaps on –
Tuesday, May 6 • 9-10:30am 37 Pomfret, 37 Putnam Road, Pomfret
Wednesday, May 7 • 9-10:30am Quality Inn Mystic, 9 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic
The schedule is as follows at each location:
9–9:30am: Coffee and networking
9:30am: Brief informational program followed by one-on-one, hands-on social media sessions with Karin Burgess and Rita Rivera of Mystic Country. Sign up at the event.
Bring a minimum of 500 brochures to be divided between the two Swaps. The remaining brochures from both Swaps will be delivered to the CT Welcome Centers by Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country. Don’t forget your carrying bags and be ready to take lots of materials in addition to the new official 2014/15 Mystic Country Visitors Guide that will be available in bulk. A continental breakfast will be served at each of these events.
This is a great opportunity to exchange and share brochures, promotional materials and fresh ideas in advance of the start of the summer season. “Many new programs and collaborative packages have come from conversations at these events,” noted Ed Dombroskas, Executive Director of the Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country.
Any business not able to attend the Swaps may drop materials off at WINY-AM radio offices at 45 Pomfret Street in Putnam or the Mystic Country offices at 27 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic by Friday, May 2 at 4pm.
The Central Regional Tourism District is also holding its annual brochure swap on Monday, May 5 – 9:30am – 10:30am at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, CT. Contact their office at 860-787-9640 if you want to participate or have your materials available. The Mystic Country Visitors Guide will be available at this swap.
U.S. Commerce Department forecasts continued strong growth for international travel
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) projects international travel to the United States will continue experiencing strong growth through 2018, based on the National Travel and Tourism Office’s 2014 Spring Travel Forecast. Click here for the full article.
Registered for the Discover New England’s 10th Annual Tourism Summit & International Marketplace?
With the previous article on the anticipated growth for international travel you shouldn’t miss this conference – May 19-21 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, CT. Click here for details (appointment planning is ending soon). Contact jputnam@mysticcountry.com to be a brochure partner in the Mystic Country booth and/or contact mjcassidy@mysticcountry.com to volunteer as a host on the Marketplace Floor on Monday and Tuesday morning or afternoon or Wednesday morning.
CT TOURISM WORKS! Reception
Tuesday, April 29 – 3pm – 5pm
Connecticut State Capitol Bldg., Room 310
As the legislative season winds down everyone in the tourism and hospitality industry is invited to attend this reception. The goal of this event is to project the variety and number of jobs in this industry and to convey the importance of the state’s investment and partnership. In addition it is an opportunity to thank the Legislature for their support. Those attending are asked to wear a staff uniform or otherwise identify the role they play in tourism. If your organization has a consumable or take away that’s an added bonus in promoting CT tourism as a part of the CT Tourism Works! Please contact Armando Paolino at app3pac@aol.com or call 860-402-3969 for details.
The Last Green Valley’s deadline to submit Walktober events is April 24
Time is running out to submit your walk, bike, paddle or horseback ride event as part of the popular WALKTOBER. Click here to visit the TLGV website for details or to download the submission form.
Mystic Country partners with Blackstone Valley Tourism Council-RI to present “Tasteful Treasures” SoNew Tours
The Eastern Regional Tourism District and Blackstone Valley Tourism Council in Rhode Island have partnered for the second year to present a three state bus tour entitled “Tasteful Treasures” on Saturday, May 3. Known on the website as Tour 8, the day starts in Rhode Island, ventures into Massachusetts, then into Connecticut to visit Roseland Cottage, downtown Putnam and Taylor Brooke Winery before returning to Rhode Island. Click here – then click on Tour 8 for details on the total day. Check out the other day trip offerings.
Congratulations to the CT Eastern District Pineapple Award Nominees
Excellence in Tourism Image:
Abbey’s Lantern Hill Inn, Ledyard
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, Noank
Niantic Main Street, Niantic
Tourism Ambassador:
WINY Radio, Putnam
Taylor Brooke Winery, Woodstock
Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket
Excellence in Tourism Service & Hospitality:
Theresa Thesier, Mystic & Shoreline Tourist Information Center, Mystic
Terry Connors, Howard Johnson Inn, Mystic
Beverly York, Nathan Hale Museum and Windham Textile & History Museum
Volunteer of the Year:
Karen Gilbransen, Willimantic
Ann Monteiro, Putnam
Dick Prisby, Mystic
AAA Diamond Awards – Four Diamond Award Winners
Lodging:
Grand Pequot Tower at Foxwoods, Mashantucket
MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
Restaurants:
Craft Steak, Mashantucket
Octagon, Groton
Paragon, Mashantucket
Congratulations to All Regional Award Winners
A Thyme to Cook Catering & Special Events of North Stonington on being honored by the International Caterers Association’s prestigious 2014 CATIE (Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence) Award.
2014/15 Mystic Country Visitors Guide now on stands
Image removed by sender.
The official Mystic Country Visitors Guide is complimentary and is the region’s largest tourism publication covering 42 towns and the two casinos making up eastern Connecticut – known as Mystic Country.
This magazine is a collaboration between The Day, the Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and the Greater Mystic Visitors Bureau.
“The Mystic Country Visitors Guide presents our region to the visitor in an organized and compelling format,” said Ed Dombroskas, executive director of the Eastern Regional Tourism District. “Packaging eastern Connecticut as one cohesive destination shows our guests just how much there is to do here and encourages them to explore not only our major attractions, but also our little known gems.”
Distribution of the Mystic Country Visitors Guide has started and select locations throughout Connecticut, New York, Northern New Jersey and Massachusetts should be well stocked by the beginning of May. Visit www.mystic.org to request a copy of the Visitors Guide. To request a supply of Visitors Guides for your business, please contact the Eastern Regional Tourism District at 860-536-8822 or info@mysticcountry.com.
Brochure Swaps kick-off National Travel & Tourism Week
Image removed by sender.
…….
The Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country celebrates National Tourism Week with its 2014 Brochure Swaps on –
Tuesday, May 6 • 9-10:30am
Grill 37 Pomfret, 37 Putnam Road, Pomfret
Wednesday, May 7 • 9-10:30am
Quality Inn Mystic, 9 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic
The schedule is as follows at each location:
9–9:30am: Coffee and networking
9:30am: Brief informational program followed by one-on-one, hands-on social media sessions with Karin Burgess and Rita Rivera of Mystic Country. Sign up at the event.
Bring a minimum of 500 brochures to be divided between the two Swaps. The remaining brochures from both Swaps will be delivered to the CT Welcome Centers by Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country.
Don’t forget your carrying bags and be ready to take lots of materials in addition to the new official 2014/15 Mystic Country Visitors Guide that will be available in bulk. A continental breakfast will be served at each of these events.
This is a great opportunity to exchange and share brochures, promotional materials and fresh ideas in advance of the start of the summer season. “Many new programs and collaborative packages have come from conversations at these events,” noted Ed Dombroskas, Executive Director of the Eastern Regional Tourism District/Mystic Country.
Any business not able to attend the Swaps may drop materials off at WINY-AM radio offices at 45 Pomfret Street in Putnam or the Mystic Country offices at 27 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic by Friday, May 2 at 4pm.
The Central Regional Tourism District is also holding its annual brochure swap on Monday, May 5 – 9:30am – 10:30am at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, CT. Contact their office at 860-787-9640 if you want to participate or have your materials available. The Mystic Country Visitors Guide will be available at this swap.
U.S. Commerce Department forecasts continued strong growth for international travel
…………………………..
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) projects international travel to the United States will continue experiencing strong growth through 2018, based on the National Travel and Tourism Office’s 2014 Spring Travel Forecast. Click here for the full article.
Registered for the Discover New England’s 10th Annual Tourism Summit & International Marketplace?
Image removed by sender.
…………
With the previous article on the anticipated growth for international travel you shouldn’t miss this conference – May 19-21 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, CT. Click here for details (appointment planning is ending soon). Contact jputnam@mysticcountry.com to be a brochure partner in the Mystic Country booth and/or contact mjcassidy@mysticcountry.com to volunteer as a host on the Marketplace Floor on Monday and Tuesday morning or afternoon or Wednesday morning.
CT TOURISM WORKS! Reception
…………………..
Tuesday, April 29 – 3pm – 5pm
Connecticut State Capitol Bldg., Room 310
As the legislative season winds down everyone in the tourism and hospitality industry is invited to attend this reception. The goal of this event is to project the variety and number of jobs in this industry and to convey the importance of the state’s investment and partnership. In addition it is an opportunity to thank the Legislature for their support. Those attending are asked to wear a staff uniform or otherwise identify the role they play in tourism. If your organization has a consumable or take away that’s an added bonus in promoting CT tourism as a part of the CT Tourism Works! Please contact Armando Paolino at app3pac@aol.com or call 860-402-3969 for details.
The Last Green Valley’s deadline to submit Walktober events is April 24
Image removed by sender.
……………..
Time is running out to submit your walk, bike, paddle or horseback ride event as part of the popular WALKTOBER. Click here to visit the TLGV website for details or to download the submission form.
Mystic Country partners with Blackstone Valley Tourism Council-RI to present “Tasteful Treasures” SoNew Tours
Image removed by sender.
The Eastern Regional Tourism District and Blackstone Valley Tourism Council in Rhode Island have partnered for the second year to present a three state bus tour entitled “Tasteful Treasures” on Saturday, May 3. Known on the website as Tour 8, the day starts in Rhode Island, ventures into Massachusetts, then into Connecticut to visit Roseland Cottage, downtown Putnam and Taylor Brooke Winery before returning to Rhode Island. Click here – then click on Tour 8 for details on the total day. Check out the other day trip offerings.
Congratulations to the CT Eastern District Pineapple Award Nominees
Image removed by sender.
Excellence in Tourism Image:
Abbey’s Lantern Hill Inn, Ledyard
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, Noank
Niantic Main Street, Niantic
Tourism Ambassador:
WINY Radio, Putnam
Taylor Brooke Winery, Woodstock
Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket
Excellence in Tourism Service & Hospitality:
Theresa Thesier, Mystic & Shoreline Tourist Information Center, Mystic
Terry Connors, Howard Johnson Inn, Mystic
Beverly York, Nathan Hale Museum and Windham Textile & History Museum
Volunteer of the Year:
Karen Gilbransen, Willimantic
Ann Monteiro, Putnam
Dick Prisby, Mystic
AAA Diamond Awards – Four Diamond Award Winners
Lodging:
Grand Pequot Tower at Foxwoods, Mashantucket
MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
Restaurants:
Craft Steak, Mashantucket
Octagon, Groton
Paragon, Mashantucket
Congratulations to All Regional Award Winners
A Thyme to Cook Catering & Special Events of North Stonington on being honored by the International Caterers Association’s prestigious 2014 CATIE (Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence) Award.
2014 CT Specialty Food Product Awards Announced
Cato Corner Cheese of Colchester for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Aged Cheese Category
Connecticut Gourmet of Windham Center for 1st place in Bread
The Purple Pear by Tina of Willington for 1st place in Barbecue; 3rd place in Frost Bites; 1st place Sweet Topping, 1st place Syrup
Rachel’s Cookies and Treats of Voluntown for 1st and 3rd place in Cookies
Suzie-Ule, LLC of Voluntown for 2nd place in Cookies; 1st place Gluten Free (cheesecake); 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Ice Cream
Norm’s Best of Putnam for 3rd place Hors d’Oeuvres
Turkeywoods Farm of Mystic for 2nd and 3rd place in Syrup
Jonathan Edwards Winery of North Stonington for 2nd place in Dry White Wine
Holmberg Orchards & Winery of Gales Ferry for 1st and 3rd place in Fruit Wine
Taylor Brooke Winery of Woodstock for 3rd place in Wine – Other Red
Cato Corner Cheese of Colchester for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Aged Cheese Category
Connecticut Gourmet of Windham Center for 1st place in Bread
The Purple Pear by Tina of Willington for 1st place in Barbecue; 3rd place in Frost Bites; 1st place Sweet Topping, 1st place Syrup
Rachel’s Cookies and Treats of Voluntown for 1st and 3rd place in Cookies
Suzie-Ule, LLC of Voluntown for 2nd place in Cookies; 1st place Gluten Free (cheesecake); 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Ice Cream
Norm’s Best of Putnam for 3rd place Hors d’Oeuvres
Turkeywoods Farm of Mystic for 2nd and 3rd place in Syrup
Jonathan Edwards Winery of North Stonington for 2nd place in Dry White Wine
Holmberg Orchards & Winery of Gales Ferry for 1st and 3rd place in Fruit Wine
Taylor Brooke Winery of Woodstock for 3rd place in Wine – Other Red