Congratulations to the Following 2006 Compass Award Winners
Connecticut Lodging Association, Advocate of the Year
Working to raise awareness of the Lodging Industry’s importance, the Connecticut Lodging Association has toiled throughout the past year to strengthen the Travel & Tourism Industry as a whole. Over the past three years, they have worked with like-minded entities to develop coordinated public policy agendas, engaged tourism regions and attractions in an effort to unify the industry, railed against devastating budget reductions that prohibited television advertising by the State Tourism Division and, most recently, stepped up to aid the new Tourism Cluster in its plan to create an Alliance for Connecticut Tourism. For
serving as a compass for the State’s entire Travel & Tourism Industry, the Connecticut Lodging Association was recognized as Advocate of the Year. Accepting
the award were Simon Flynn, Executive Director, and Michael Heaton,
President.
Durham Fair, Volunteers of the Year
Volunteers are the ones who make it possible for many of our region’s organizations to thrive, but it’s not many organizations that are entirely volunteer run and only one that can stake the claim as “the largest fair in the United States without a paid manager or staff.” Each year since 1916, during the last full weekend of September, volunteers have staged what has come to be Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair. In addition to the group’s members and the hundreds of volunteers who help directly operate the event, the volunteers of many participating local organizations contribute to the spirit of community that is not found at other larger agricultural fairs. For their role as the fair’s compass in
achieving its mission to preserve and promote Connecticut’s agricultural heritage, the volunteers of the Durham Fair were recognized. Accepting
the award was Eugene Chiappetta.
Market New Haven, Excellence in Marketing
Market New Haven works to enhance the positive image of the City
of New Haven and communicate its renaissance to improve the prosperity
of the city, its residents and businesses. Over the past 18 months, the group embarked on a major branding initiative resulting in widespread use of a single logo for the city and has spearheaded various partnerships among communities as diverse as the arts and bio-technology. In addition to coordinating the hugely popular summer concert series and Friday Night Flicks, the group works closely with the Town Green District and New Haven Office of Cultural Affairs on a holiday campaign and recently launched an effort to promote the busy autumn arts season. For
its role as a compass for New Haven’s arts, dining and shopping communities, Market New Haven was saluted. Accepting
the award was Anne Worcester, Chief Marketing Officer for Market New
Haven.
Shoreline Arts Trail, Excellence in Partnership
Partnerships are key to our destination’s future success and those that cross town lines, though possibly the most difficult, are particularly important. This winner had the goal of promoting a quality experience in the exploration of art. Through the work of volunteers, the group created a trail through the communities of Branford, Guilford and Madison showcasing the work and studios of 40 artists working in various media including paint, metal, fiber, glass, pottery and jewelry. With financial support from each town and the Commission on Culture & Tourism, the group promoted the now five year old open studios weekend, to be held this year November 11 & 12th and the year-round opportunity to see great art and great artists. As
a compass for the arts and, as well as the art of
partnership, the Shoreline Arts Trail was recognized. Accepting
the award was Martha Link Walsh.
Pictured L to R: Al Di Marzio of HB Graphics and Martha Link Walsh of Martha Link Walsh Gallery
Award Winners Pictured L to R: Eugene Chiappetta, Durham Fair;
Anne Worcester, Market New Haven;
Michael Heaton, Connecticut Lodging Association and Martha Link Walsh, Shoreline Arts Trail
Pictured L to R: Steve Nigro, New Haven Hotel;
Michael Heaton, Courtyard by Marriott;
Reverend Brown, Community for Change for the Arts; Simon Flynn, Connecticut Lodging Association; Ed Bottomley, CAMA
Pictured L to R: Jennifer Lahert, Town Green District;
Jan Barese & Tony Rescigno,
Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce;
and Mary Lee Webber, WTNH Channel 8
MacTalla M'or Rocks the Celebration
Reverend & Juanita Brown, Community for Change for the Arts
Pictured L to R: Claire Criscoulo of Claire's Corner Copia and
Lindy Lee Gold of the Connecticut Department of
Economic & Community Development
Pictured L to R: Michael Marra of the Three Chimneys Inn and
Debbie Mele of the Omni New Haven Hotel
Pictured L to R: Josh Mamis of the New Haven Advocate and
Frank Criscoulo of Basta
