People, places, events, and ideas shaping Essex County—reported and shared by Creative Collective. Search the archive or start with a story path below.

November 24, 2025
Featured image for “Regional Tourism Strategy Takes Center Stage at North of Boston Destination Excellence event”
Creative Collective Member Events
Creative Economy

Regional Tourism Strategy Takes Center Stage at North of Boston Destination Excellence event

by John Andrews
The North of Boston tourism awards Destination Excellence Summit gathered more than 200 professionals at Salem’s Hawthorne Hotel on November 19 to address a critical question: how does a region coordinate tourism strategy across 34 cities and towns while maintaining authentic local character? The timing proved symbolic—the Hawthorne Hotel celebrated its 100th birthday while hosting discussions about the next century
November 24, 2025
March 29, 2025
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Festivals
Salem

PEM Joins Salem 400+ Celebration: Connecting Past, Present, and Future Through Art and History

by John Andrews
As Salem prepares to commemorate its quadricentennial in 2026, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) has announced an impressive slate of exhibitions and programming that will enrich the Salem 400+ celebration. These initiatives perfectly embody the core mission of Salem 400+ to honor our past, celebrate our present, and envision our future by weaving together the diverse stories of our community
March 29, 2025
January 26, 2025
Featured image for “17th Annual North of Boston Tourism Summit 2025 Highlights”
Creative Economy
FEATURE

17th Annual North of Boston Tourism Summit 2025 Highlights

by John Andrews
Strong Tourism Recovery and Future Growth The 17th Annual North of Boston Tourism Summit 2025, held at the Boston Peabody Marriott, brought together tourism leaders, elected officials, and industry stakeholders for a comprehensive day of insight and collaboration. The event, organized by the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (NBCVB) under the leadership of Executive Director Nancy Gardella, demonstrated
January 26, 2025