Photos courtesy of Weld Photogtraphy and Betsy Barron Photography
“Thank you to everyone who made 2011 a very exciting and memorable year for AroundMainLine.com! I cannot wait to share the amazing projects we have in store for 2012 with all of you.” Sarah Lockard, AroundMainLine.com CEO and Publisher
2011 certainly was a memorable and very exciting year for AroundMainLine.com and our wonderful team. Where to begin? So many incredible memories, fantastic clients, events, parties and more to reflect upon…
First and foremost, I want to thank our outstanding social media audience of over 3,700 Facebook fans and over 5,100 Twitter followers. AML’s Twitter account is among the 10% most popular in the world now—and for me personally its been an exciting way to connect with thousands of new people weekly.
MAIN LINE RESTAURANT WEEK
2011 was the first year that we produced two regional Main Line Restaurant Weeks. Both the Spring and Fall events were phenomenally successful and drove thousands of new patrons to our wonderful participants. Our staff photographers of Courtney Apple, Betsy Barron, Weld Photography and Perretti Photography worked tirelessly to capture the incredible culture and cuisine that the western burbs have to offer. I am proud of the direction Main Line Restaurant Week is headed and we are in the fun planning stages for Spring Main Line Restaurant Week which will return Monday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 29th.
Over the last year we have been getting lots of requests from our Main Line Restaurant Week participants to add lunch to the dining experience. Ask.and you shall receive. Spring 2012 Main Line Restaurant Week will not only offer exciting values on prix-fixe dinners, but you can dine out during the day and enjoy a special lunch value as well. Dinner AND lunch all week long for Spring 2012 MLRW—now that’s great news for all our AML foodies!
A YEAR OF EXCITING EVENTS
AML was incredibly privileged and honored to partner with our new friends at QVC to host an inaugural event “AroundMainLine.com’s Holiday Shopping Night at Studio Park” on December 7th.
2011 also brought our first ever AroundMainLine.com Oktoberfest with the fine folks of Wegmans Pub in Collegeville as our host. It featured the region’s top breweries paired with the fantastic food Wegmans offers and was a HUGE success. Look for the second annual AML Oktoberfest coming to the burbs in the new year!
Wednesday Night Whinos, Philadelphia’s most popular ladies social club, continued to grow this past year as we hosted regular shopping and dining events around the western suburbs. One of the main reasons Whinos has been so popular is that, unlike other networking groups or business associations, Whinos is completely free to attend with no membership fees or obligations. Whinos first fun party in the new year will be Wednesday, January 11th from 6pm to 8pm at the Main Line’s hottest new restaurant, Ella’s American Bistro in Wayne!
In addition, I was incredibly privileged and honored to partner with our new friends at QVC to host an inaugural event “AroundMainLine.com’s Holiday Shopping Night at Studio Park.” Despite an evening of torrential pouring rain, wind and very cold temperatures, over 300 locals joined us December 7th at QVC’s very cool Studio Park store located at their West Chester headquarters. It was such a joy to work with the team at QVC and we are already working on additional AML/QVC event ideas…so stay tuned!
SPECIAL THANKS
I want to give special thanks to all the AML clients I had the privilege of working with this year. I am very grateful for your outstanding support.
In closing, AML would not be possible without the following VIPS who I want to highlight below.
Courtney Apple: Courtney’s incredible photos graced the pages of AML, our Facebook page and MainLineRestaurantWeek.com. Courtney’s talent is something very special and she also happens to be one of the most down-to-earth humble artists I know. I feel especially honored to work with Courtney and her creativity and artistic vision is so inspiring. You can also find many of Court’s fine work regularly in Philadelphia Magazine.
Betsy Barron: Betsy joined AML in March as a staff photographer and has been a fireball of energy, passion and friendship. Betsy’s photography business is thriving and I am excited to see what the new year brings this very special person I am proud to know and call friend.
Jessica and Bradley Weld: A recent addition to the AML photo family and a husband and wife team based in Media, PA, the Welds have become fast friends and AML regulars covering many of our recent events, especially our exciting first ever AML Holiday Party at Harvest Seasonal Grill in Glen Mills, PA last week. Jessica and Bradley consistently produce outstanding images and our clients have given us rave reviews who have worked with them. They are a dynamic duo I adore!
Felicia Perretti: Felicia and I connected via Twitter and after reviewing her breathtaking food photography, I was sold. Felicia and I tackled restaurant shoots for Main Line Restaurant Week and experienced the creepy, haunted walls of Eastern State Penitentiary together-one of my favorite shoots of the year! Look for Felicia and I to take on the Philadelphia dining scene together in 2012…exciting things to come!
ME Photo & Design: New AML photographer Meagan Ebersole is opening a brand new studio in downtown Media in January! In addition, Ebersole is focusing on growing her pet photography business-along with her thriving wedding clientele. Meagan is a joy to work with and recently generously donated her time to cover AroundMainLine.com’s charity event with ‘Give a Dog a Bone’ at Redhound Grille in Paoli.
Vance Bell: Our incredible web designer and one of the smartest, most talented business people I know. To work with Vance is an incredible privilege.
In closing, I wish you and yours a wonderful and blessed holiday season and I look forward to having you continue on the exciting AML journey with us in 2012.
Cheers!
Sarah Lockard
AroundMainLine.com CEO and Publisher
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