We are off to another outstanding summer season in Freeport and it just feels great to be a part of this exciting time. I am so proud of all of us for believing in the future and preparing for a great season. As I look around Freeport I am immediately struck by the high level of energy and excitement that we all share with one another –just happy to be here and to be a part of this growing and thriving environment. The entire town is in the middle of preparation for a strong season with the vision of putting our best foot forward.
At every turn there are painters, electricians, builders all readying us for the season. There are many indicators, reports and statements we can read to predict the future and better understand the business climate - all add to our understanding and ability to make an educated guess about what the season holds. I add to what I have read with a look around and believe that we are on the verge of another great season in Freeport –one worth celebrating!
I am thrilled to announce that the Freeport Map and Visitor Guide for 2009-2010 has been distributed throughout the State and beyond. We have added distribution of the map this year to include several new locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We added the Train Stations and Airport in Metro Boston, AAA Travel agencies and other tourist locations. We also expanded our exposure in Canada. We have received very positive feedback about the map-color-content–usage so far! We are compiling a list of changes and improvements for next year. So please let us know your thoughts. If you have not picked up your supply of maps, please stop by the Hose Tower and take a box from our storage closet.
Next as you know the Freeport Village Station has a few of their first stores open. On May 16 Brooks Brothers, Nike and Sunglass Hut opened their doors as the first of many. Nike celebrated the Freeport opening with an appearance from Joan Benoit Samuelson! The event was very exciting and the turnout to see and hear Joan was strong. I am certain that the day was memorable for those on the plaza listening to Joan as she shared her accomplishments and relived some of her achievements. Other happenings that day included a Thos. Moser chair making demonstration and Wilbur’s Chocolates added a vending cart in the plaza to help please the sweet tooth in all of us! On May 21 several more stores opened including the L.L.Bean Outlet – LEED Certified - with a tremendous inventory and friendly, knowledgeable employees to assist you, Coach with the best selection of Coach that I have ever seen-and a very friendly staff ready and able to assist you in your next Coach purchase and Izod to name a few…The Freeport Village Station is worth the trip –the parking garage is open and FREE!
We hosted the Membership Appreciation event at the Freeport Village Station in tandem with the AAA on May 23. The event was very successful! I want to thank Melissa Glenn for organizing the event-she did an excellent job! She filled 75 totes with over 35 coupons from area businesses in each bag and included a copy of the current Down East Magazine and a copy of the current Port City Life. The attendees were very pleased and said they will be back in August! So THANK YOU ALL FOR PARTICIPATING!!
We are looking forward to a live radio remote to celebrate our Star Studded Shopping event on August 1. This event will include the Blues Traveler concert at L.L.Bean Discovery Park, our second AAA Membership Appreciation Celebration Day that will give all FMA members another opportunity to participate with AAA! August 1 will also provide you with a tremendous opportunity to promote your businesses to thousands of listeners-local and beyond - Stay open late night/all night-offer promotions and incentives and we will chat it up on air!! Add your gift certificate to the shopping Spree and we will make announcements to drive traffic to your business!! Let’s work together to make July in Freeport the greatest on air experience. We will promote the shopping Spree with business mentions through the month and conduct the actual give away on August 1. Call me to get in on this NOW!! Imagine thousands of people in Freeport in the early morning hours all shopping and dining in our local establishments and spending the night…What a perfect start to August in Freeport!
I am participating in the CVB Front line Orientation on June 3. Sande Updegraph and I will spread the word about Freeport with many others participating from our area. The orientation is for all employees from the Greater Portland Casco Bay area. We will distribute the map, event schedules and other business materials while there.
On June 25, I am participating with Sande and Melissa in the "Train to Maine” campaign in Boston. It is an opportunity to meet and greet rail passengers and chat with them about “all things Freeport.” At our table we will distribute the map and other relevant materials. We are also putting together a giveaway-enter to win prize for the Downeaster to Freeport-Free rail to Portland provided by the Down Easter. The package will include free shuttle to Freeport provided by Maine Day Trips (Thank you Norm) and an overnight-provided by The James Place Inn (Thank you Tori and Robin). We would love to include a meal and entertainment and shopping…we can also have more than one give away….any interest in participating? Please call me if you would like to add your gift certificate in the event or if you would like to join us!!
We have enhanced our listing in the Maine Summer Guide this year. It will be distributed shortly and I will have a few copies here too. I am also working on our next Down East Magazine opportunity. I am proposing the September book include our Art and Music Festival –subscribers receive this by 7/29 and it goes on sale 8/18. We will also consider the November book and December book for fall events and holiday promotion. Please look at your marketing strategies and let me know if you want to be included in co/op op pages! Our Marketing Committee will be reviewing these opportunities. In addition we will support all events with on air promotions and local print advertisements!
The Group Travel Planner is a very strong group marketing tool for all in Freeport. Participation in the piece will afford us the opportunity to have at least one complete page of Freeport promotions and advertisements. Don’t miss this opportunity starting as low as $299. Please let me know how you would like to participate by June 14!
“The Women's Ride for Heart Health was fun. 400 women, great weather and good health vendors were available.” said Carolyn Krahn. I look forward to seeing you there next year.
The Freeport Community Improvement Association donated $1,000 to FMA this year to be used to repair our Freeport kiosks. Thank you to George Denney and the entire FCIA Board for your continuous support and generosity. We greatly appreciate it. This year we will spend your donation and the money raised through kiosk add sales to paint, re-roof –repair and improve all of the FMA kiosks in Freeport.
It appears that most business owners agree that a shuttle service could be very beneficial for both Freeport residents and visitors. It would enhance the Freeport experience for many if we could provide a shuttle to service Main Street from The Harraseeket Inn to the Muddy Rudder making designated stops along the way looping to the Desert of Maine and over to the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster. Does that sound appealing? What if the Shuttle Bus was fueled by BIODIESEL-is that even more appealing? Okay now what if the shuttle ran to Brunswick during arrival and departures to pick up passengers from the Eastern Maine Railway? Are you more interested …not only shuttle people around town but actually bring people to town! Now that I have your attention consider this…we are able to run that service for you and your visitors, travelers, customers, employees and residents for 77 days starting July 1st running through mid September. We have a shuttle available through VIP. They will cover all costs associated with the shuttle operations for a fee. We need to determine the financing and sponsorship of the shuttle and potential advertising opportunities on the bus and the shuttle routes. Eastern Maine Railway will work with us to promote the transportation of passengers from Rockland to Brunswick and Freeport. We will also work to meet the Lobster Festival schedule so our overnight guests could spend an afternoon there and then could spend an afternoon here. Passengers from Rockland have 10 hours to spend in the Brunswick/ Freeport area if they do not travel immediately back to Rockland. Watch your email for a formal meeting to discuss this in detail in the near future!
I am always interested in your feedback. Please let me know what is most important to you-because as you know that is most important to me!
Thank you!
Myra
