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Rotary Meeting on September 11th
will be at
HOLIDAY INN BY-THE-BAY
88 Spring Street, Portland
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Posted by Rusty Atwood
on Sep 07, 2015
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Our featured speaker this Friday at Portland Rotary will be Brian Corcoran.
 Brian Corcoran, is the President and Founder of Shamrock Sports & Entertainment, an agency focused on property partnership, naming rights and multi-media sales and other strategic consulting. Active Shamrock clients include NASCAR, NBA’s Indiana Pacers, Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX (home of F1, Summer X-Games, MotoGP and more), Professional Bowling Association (PBA), World Series of Poker, America East Conference, Red Bull Air Race, Maine Sports Commission, TD Beach to Beacon and Beech Ridge Speedway. Corcoran is also a Partner in Portland Media Group, which will premier their 1st TV show, Greenlight Maine, on September 12th on WCSH6 & WLBZ2.
Corcoran’s past positions include, Executive Vice President of Fenway Sports Group, Managing Director of Corporate Marketing for NASCAR as well as Vice President, Team, League & Venue Services for SFX Sports, Director of Sponsorship Development for Host Communications and Athletic Marketing & Tickets Manager at Eastern Kentucky University.
During his storied career, he has secured corporate partnerships that include the largest US sports sponsorship in history with $750MM entitlement of NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (now Sprint). Corcoran also has pioneered mutually rewarding deals with Fortune 500 brands including, but not limited to: Allstate, Barbasol, Bass Pro Shops, DIRECTV, Domino’s Pizza, DraftKings, Enterprise, GEICO, Gillette, Goodyear, Gulfstream, NAPA, National Guard, Nationwide, Office Depot, US Army, SONY, Tissot and Wheaties.
Corcoran has a Master’s in Sports Management and BS in Exercise Science from Eastern Kentucky University, where he's also competed in track and field as a middle-distance runner. He is happily married to wife, Melissa Smith, CEO of WEX, Inc., and newborn son, Baxter Corcoran.
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Posted by Tom Talbott
on Sep 07, 2015
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 At our last meeting we welcomed Lynn Tillotson, President and CEO of the Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau, (CVB) Lynn has a very busy job administering a very active and vibrant communications center for the steady stream of visitors to the rock-bound coast of Maine.
To begin with, the CVB’s primary role focuses on tourism, offering impartial information about the area in terms of dining, lodging, entertainment, recreation and sight-seeing. The Portland CVB is a non-profit organization, membership supported. In comparison, a Chamber of Commerce has a specific goal of promoting business in the region.
Lynn took us through some of the numbers associated with how important tourism is to the state of Maine. 14% of Maine employment has a connection to visitors to our state, some 94,000 jobs. Dollar wise, total expenditures in Maine from tourism were just over $5.4 billion dollars in 2014, with 2015 on target to meet or exceed that number. Through that, over $533 million dollars were generated for taxes. You can see why tourism is Maine’s most important economic vehicle.
Kittery to Portland, aka, “The Beaches” are the most visited areas, with the Portland area being second. That may be a skewed number, as Portland itself may be the primary destination, the hub that influenced people to visit.
In Portland, “day stays” were a bit off this past year. Parking is often seen as the biggest concern. However, “overnight stays” were up. More importantly, the overnighters tend to spend more on dining, entertainment and so on.
So, how do people choose Maine over other states? The CVB rolls up its sleeves and gets to work! To influence people takes a dedicated effort, particularly on a short budget. As noted earlier, the Portland CVB is 100% member supported, where as, many other states/cities have other revenue streams. Boston for example has a 14.5% lodging tax that funnels money back into marketing. (Side note - The Maine Department of Tourism is #30 out of 50 states in budget.)
Time, effort, and money is invested into targeting 8 segments. Leisure Travel, which makes up the largest segment is first. Then comes Conventions, Motor Coaches, Cruise Ships, Destination Weddings, Sporting Events, and International. The last item is “Media,” where the CVB supplies photos, video b-roll to other media outlets and organizations.
Lynn’s team is not a stay-at-home crew. They’re on the road frequently, traveling out of the state to conferences and trade shows. Out of sight, out of mind! Hence, the team does all it can to participate in events that can influence decisions to make Maine a destination.
You’ll find marketing covers a lot of ground. Their website, www.visitportland.com is definitely worth visiting if you have never seen it. In fact, Mainer’s are the number one viewer of the site, though last year visitors from 185 different countries viewed the site. The website is the focal point, but the CVB is very active in print publications such as guides, event planners, wedding planners, as well as high profile magazines such as Downeast and Yankee Magazine. Facebook and Twitter, of course! Email blasts to 30,000 subscribers. Reaching out to travel writers for interesting stories. It’s all designed to put our area on the map! When people are traveling through the Portland Jetport, they can visit the CVB kiosk and speak to a volunteer. How often does that happen? Last year, 179,500 people visited the kiosk to ask a question. The answers came from the volunteers who staff the booth.
With a few questions at the end from the audience, we learned that while it is not known if the Nova Star cruise ship will continue service from Portland to Nova Scotia, Lynn does believe that Nova Scotia is committed to some form of vessel for next season. The Nova Star is not making the numbers right now, and previous statements indicated that it would not continue if that was the case.
Howie Herodes expressed keen interest in seeing a published list of Happy Hours in the Portland market. Lynn was all too glad to announce that in the first quarter of 2016, that information should be available on the website. Until then, Howie will just have to keep hitting the pubs in search of the best late afternoon specials.
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Posted by Dick Hall
on Sep 07, 2015
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Peggy Wescott provided the invocation and talked about Labor Day, and what work means. Work: employment.....Work: to earn money.....Work: to get things working well.....Work: effort to be proud of.....Work-out: For health or for vanity. Portland Rotary work is focused on good works. Peggy ended by reminding us that there is no limit to what can be accomplished, if we do not need to get credit.
President Bowen welcomed 49 members, 3 Honorary members, 3 visiting Rotarians and 2 guests.
.JPG) History moment presented by Alex St. Hilaire. Late 1920s: Herbert Hoover was the President. The Great Depression occurred. Hoover increased the top income tax from 25 to 53%. The Iron lung made its appearance for polio patients. (Fun fact: in 2015 there are still 25 iron lungs in use.) In Nov. 1928, the Boston Garden opened. In 1929, the San Francisco toll bridge was opened, which was eventually replaced in the 60s. 1929 - There was a meeting of the National Crime Syndicate in Atlanta. This was commonly known as the mob or Murder Inc. They were at the height of power. Portland Rotary's meeting Sep. 1928 had Jason Westerfield, a Wall Streeter, and four new members brought into the club Oct 28. (Remember that last week Bowen told us it was the first time four members were inducted on the same day.) Speakers that year included the Past President of Rotary International and two speakers from aviation talking about the Portland airport. International Service was inaugurated by Portland Rotary. A representative from Worcester, MA talked about their Boys Club. This was one on the triggers to form a club in Portland.
President Bowen recognized eight of our members with birthdays in September.
Weekly raffle was conducted by Loretta and our speaker picked Meredith Small to try and find the Queen and try to win a whopping pot of $497. As she picked the card, she said, "I picked the wrong queen." Bill Blount got a huge laugh when he responded, "That's the story of my life."
Portland Rotary's Centennial Gala celebration is coming up on 9/12/15. Last chance for sign up to join +250 already registered was Monday, 9/7/15.
President Bowen announced that Portland Rotary was selected as the "Not-For-Profit of the month" by the Portland Chamber.
John Curran reported on the Dominican Republic benefit concert held last Friday in Brunswick. Several Portland Rotarians attended.....it was a great event and great success. He does not have the final tally yet.
Don Lowry told us about the "Walk for Alzheimers," to be held on Sat. 9/26, Payson Park, 9:00 A.M. There will be a "Team Harry" (Sawyer). If you join, you get a "Team Harry" t-shirt and have your picture taken. Call Sally Trussell 883-3840 to join the team.
Jack Carr offered an all-expense cruise out of Biddeford pool tomorrow. By the time you read this is will be too late to call Jack.
George Crockett told us to remember to collect those free toiletries from hotels when you travel. This week he will deliver the 6000th toiletry. George said, “Borrowing these really add up.” Bowen responded by saying "It's good to know we have 'borrowed' 6000 toiletries."
President Bowen introduced Bill Hurley, President of the Portsmouth Rotary Club. Bill congratulated the club on 100 years, and accepted the challenge to see which club signs up the most new members this year. Bill said that with his acceptance – his real hope is that Rotary is the real winner and both clubs are stronger at the end of the year. FYI: the score is Portland 4, Portsmouth 7. Bowen responded with “Bill, that was swell," and told us all that we need to use the Roaring 20s slang more.
Bob Martin, while introducing the speaker, pointed out Bowen’s seriously fashionable shoes, a beautiful pair of green suede show stoppers.
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Posted
on Sep 07, 2015
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Invocator: Paul Tully
Program Reporter: Ben Lowry
Bits & Pieces Reporter: Ben Lowry
Registration/Greeter: Loretta Rowe
Sell Meal Tickets: Ellen Niewoehner
Raffle: Tom Nickerson
Badge Box: Leonard Scott
Collect Meal Tickets: Laura Pawlendzio
Rotary Moment in History: Becky Wright/Jim Willey
Song Leader: Gracie Johnston
Pianist: Russ Burleigh
Sgt-at-Arms (Early): Ron Bennett
Sgt-at-Arms (Late): Scott Blakeslee
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Posted
on Sep 07, 2015
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Portland Rotary meeting locations for 2015
If you would like to mark your calendars,
we are at the following locations through Sep. 2015:
Sep 11 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Sep 18 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Sep 25 - The Clarion Hotel
Oct 2 - Italian Heritage Center
Oct 9 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Oct 16 - Maine Medical Ctr Research Lab
Oct 23 - Holiday Inn By-the-Bay
Oct 30 - The Clarion Hotel
BOLD dates are scheduled Board meeting days.
Any questions, please contact Loretta at: lrowe@maine.rr.com
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Posted by Loretta Rowe
on Sep 07, 2015
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As we receive applications for prospective members to join our Portland Rotary Club, the names of the applicants will be included in our Windjammer. Any information and/or comments you would like to share will be handled confidentially. Please contact the Club Secretary (Loretta Rowe: lrowe@maine.rr.com). Your input will be appreciated.
PROSPECT BUSINESS SPONSOR(S)
Andreea Paine Goodwill NNE Geo. Crockett
Murachanian, Jean R. Burleigh &
K. Grammer
Thank you.
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Posted by Loretta Rowe
on Sep 07, 2015
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The meeting minutes of the Portland Rotary Club's Board of Directors are posted on our website the month following their approval. From the "Home Page," click on the "Board Meeting Minutes" in the listing at the left.
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Posted by Bill Blount
on Sep 07, 2015
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THE ROTARY DOUBLES TENNIS LEAGUE
Fall 2015
Rotary Tennis Fall Session 2015 will begin on 9/14/15.
The teams have been assigned and are posted below:
| TEAM 1 |
TEAM 2 |
TEAM 3 |
TEAM 4 |
TEAM 5 |
TEAM 6 |
| Barns |
Blakeslee |
Lowry |
Bourdeau |
Gross |
Seddon |
| Thompson |
Ray |
Noyes |
Hall |
Ingram |
Blount |
| Moore |
Herodes |
Chipman |
Bowker |
Putnam |
Asch |
| Grammer |
Carr |
Jorgensen |
Burleigh |
Sawyer |
L.Young |
| - |
- |
- |
- |
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