MA Governor's Conference on Tourism - Agenda and Registration

The 2025 Massachusetts Governor's Conference will be held 18-19 March at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield.

Sessions (tentative) will include:

• 2025 Campaigns
  • Made Possible
  • Massachusetts 250
• 2026 and beyond
  • ​​​​​​​FIFA
  • Massachusetts 250
  • Sail Boston
• ​​​​​​​Marketing and Growth
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​AI in Travel Marketing
  • International Markets Update
  • Agri-Experiences
  • Travel Influencing
  • The Power of Film Tourism
• ​​​​​​​Visitor Experience
  • ​​​​​​​Best Practices for Hotels, Restaurants, Attractions
  • Culinary Creatives
• Greater Springfield Region: Howdy Awards as a tool for engagement
• Reception at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Awards:

• Larry D. Meehan Lifetime Achievement Award
• Film Industry Achievement Award
• Revolutionary Achievement Award
• Award of Appreciation

Go here for Attendee Registration at $00 through 30 January, $250 after that.

Go here for Sponsorships and Exhibitors

More information is here: massgovernorsconference@conventures.com.

Hotel: A block of $149/night rooms will be available for booking through 19 February at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel.

MA Governor's Conference on Tourism 2025 set for 18-19 March in Springfield

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism has announced that the 2025 Governor's Conference on Tourism will be held Tuesday 18 March and Wednesday 19 March at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

Information on tickets, accommodations, exhibitors and sponsorships will be forthcoming.

Watch this space.

MA Gov. Healey kicks off Massachusetts 250 celebration in Boston

Beginning event in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution was held yesterday in front of the State House in Boston, presided over by MA Gov. Maura Healey.

Gov. Healey said, in part, referring to the state's innovation in education, health care and technology:

"Massachusetts — where the revolution began, and where the revolution continues. We honor that history and every day, we're also making history. Just as we led America's revolution, this state, Massachusetts, will lead this country in celebrating our great nation. We'll do that over the next two years, by lifting up and promoting the revolutionary greatness of every community in our state."

A Massachusetts 250 banner was unfurled for the first time, and a historical re-enactment was presented that included Paul Revere's ride (pictured) and a fife and drum corps.

The Massachusetts 250 initiative is managed by MOTT, which is headed by Executive Director Kate Fox.

The first round of a Massachusetts 250 Grant Program will support 37 independence-themed projects across the state.

Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail launched

The Massachusetts Dairy Promotion Board, in partnership with the MA Department of Agricultural Resources and MOTT have launched the Trail that encompasses more than 100 destinations - ice cream shops and dairy farms - in every county statewide.

MOTT Director Kate Fox said:

“This is the perfect way to explore Massachusetts. You’ll discover hidden gems, charming towns, unique ice cream shops with incredible flavors and beautiful farm settings.”

Massachusetts has 95 dairy farms that contribute more than $61M to the state's economy annually.

Go here to see the full list of ice cream destinations.

Springfield MA Named Top-10 Worst US City to Own Vacation Rental

A new report from LawnStarter - a lawn-care marketplace, which presumably deals with a lot of vacation rental properties - names Springfield, MA as the #6 worst US city in which to own a vacation rental property.

LawnStarter rated 182 of the largest US cities on 18 dimensions including:

• Legal restrictions
• Occupancy rates
• Revenue potential
• Operating expenses

Ten cities found to be the worst in which to own a vacation rental were:

1. Huntington Beach, CA
2. Sunnyvale, CA
3. Pasadena, CA
4. Des Moines, IA
5. San Francisco, CA
6. Springfield, MA
7. Long Beach, CA
8. Palmdale, CA
9. Santa Rosa, CA
10. Los Angeles, CA

80% of these cities being in California stems primarily from high investment and operating costs coupled with laws that incentivize long-term rentals and home ownership at the expense of short-term rentals.

Nationwide, some Airbnb hosts reported major decreases in occupancy rates and margins, perhaps related at least in part to a shift of consumer preference back to hotels in light of widespread media reports of hidden cameras and excessive guest rules and chore-lists.