Groupize gets new partner on bookings
Groupize, the Gloucester-based tourism agency that provides state-of-the art group travel planning, booking and socializing, is partnering with TravelClick, the leading provider of revenue-generating solutions for hoteliers across the globe,
Charles de Gaspe Beaubien, president and CEO of Groupize, said in a prepared statement that hoteliers using TravelClick's GDS connectivity can now manage rates and inventory on Groupize.com, increasing their small group business, while travel planners will have direct access to book group reservations for more than 5,000 TravelClick properties, and can organize information and create a central hub for communication to their group.
Guests within a group can claim rooms and submit individual credit card details, while taking advantage of special group rates only available through Groupize.com via iHotelier, TravelClick's central reservation system.
"Group business has continued to drive occupancy growth this year and providing our leading hotels customers that include branded and independent properties, with access to a partner like Groupize will revolutionize the group booking process," said Jonathan Cherins, executive vice president of reservations solutions at TravelClick.
"For anyone booking small groups, Groupize should be the first stop online for the easiest way to book and manage a small group in real-time," said de Gaspe Beaubien, who has worked on a number of Gloucester's recent tourism initiatives,
Chamber launches new tourism council
Gregory G. Walsh, marketing and communication manager of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, says the chamber introduced its new Cape Ann tourism council at a "tourism mixer" held last week at Rockport's Shalin Liu Performance Center.
The event, which Walsh said attracted a crowd of hotel and inn owners, restaurateurs, "and basically anyone whose business relies on tourism," was the first tourism mixer hosted by the chamber since 2010, and served as a "forum" as well as an official launch of the new tourism council.
Tourism, which returns $8 on every $1 invested, statistics show, is a key priority of new Chamber President Mark Grenier, who is playing an active role on the council.
Chaired by Matt Anzivino of Rockport Inn & Suites, the council consists of 15 members — Thomas Balf of Maritime Gloucester, Tony Beadle of Rockport Music, Jan Bordinaro of Atlantis Oceanfront Inn, Susan Coviello of Main Street Antiques in Essex, Laura Dow of Vista Motel, Brittany Gwinn of Essex River Cruises & Charters, Robert Heidt, CEO of the Chamber Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Carol Linsky of Rockport Art Association, John McElhenny of Matter Communications, Chris Murch of The Pewter Shop, Chris Shea of The Landing at 7 Central in Manchester, David Singleton of David R. Singleton Inc. in Manchester, Mike Storella of Central Street Gallery, and Peter Webber, vice president of the Chamber Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
The council held its first meeting in May, and, says Walsh, "is collaborating to put a robust plan of work in place for the 2013 season." Additionally, it will be holding town-hall style meetings to solicit member feedback to help guide the Council and Chamber on the 2013 plan of work.
For more information, visi: capeannchamber.com.
Rotary preps for comedy night
Jim Lauletta, Bob Seibel, Sean Sullivan and Dave Rattigan are set to bring down the house at the sixth Annual Rotary Club of Gloucester's Comedy Night fund-raiser, on Thursday, Aug. 30, at Cruiseport Gloucester.
The four funny men, well known on comedy circuits in Boston and beyond, will take the stage at 8 p.m. at the annual event, which has become an unofficial kickoff for the Labor Day weekend for members of Gloucester's business community.
Lauletta's credits include HBO's U.S. Comedy Arts Festival's "Best of the Fest," NBC, Comedy Central and Comcast's Comedy Spotlight, and Denis Leary's prestigious "Comics Come Home" concert.
Seibel's headlined at top clubs, including Nick's Comedy Stop in Boston and Giggles in Saugus.
Sullivan, a two-time Boston Comedy Festival semifinalist and Conan O'Brien intern, was named as one of Boston's top comics by The Boston Globe, Boston Herald and Boston Phoenix.
Rattigan, a headliner in clubs, on TV and online, is also an award-winning journalist with humorous columns appearing in major publications including in The Boston Globe, and runs Scamps Comedy Productions (www.scampscomedy.com).
A major fundraiser, the Rotary Club Comedy Night has over the past five years raised $25,000 for community projects and nonprofits. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show, and tickets are $25, available at Carroll K. Steele Insurance at 32 Pleasant St. in Gloucester or by contacting Ruth Pino at ruth@ruthpino.com.
Willow Rest offering Greek brand
A Gloucester outpost has become one of three specialty food stores in Massachusetts to carry Kaldí — Pure Mediterranean Tastes, the first all-natural specialty Greek food brand, according to Kaldes Brothers Trading Co.
Willow Rest of 1 Holly St. in Gloucester joins Ipswich Shellfish Fish Market of Ipswich and Food Center Marketplace of Milton have added Kaldi extra virgin olive oil and tomato sauces to their menus of gourmet items.
In just 20 months since launching, Kaldí Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Tomato Sauces from Greece have become available to customers online at kalditastes.com and at more than 30 high-quality retailers and restaurants nationwide.
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