The Lobster Institute Awards Lobster Gram the First Ever Rising Star Award!

The Lobster Institute Presents the first Rising Star Award to Lobster Gram, Inc.

ORONO, MAINE – The Lobster Institute created its Rising Star Award for “Best New Industry Partner – Fundraising and Environmental Initiatives”, to recognize a lobster industry business that worked together with the Institute for the first time to raise awareness and the necessary funds for the Lobster Institute to continue its mission to “conduct and provide for research and educational outreach focused on protecting, conserving, and enhancing the lobster resource and lobstering as an industry…and as a way of life.” Lobster Gram, Inc. Founder and Chairman Dan Zawacki received the Institute’s 2008 Rising Star Award in recognition of Lobster Gram’s innovative “Lobster Bailout-Blowout Sale”. The tough economic downturn in Fall 2008 made it difficult for lobster fishermen in the North Atlantic to move their healthy supply of lobsters – during what is typically their most lucrative season. Lobster Gram, Inc. conceived the “Lobster Bailout-Blowout Sale” as a way to help these lobstermen protect their livelihoods. Zawacki explained “Lobster Gram just wanted to do what it could to help an industry that has been instrumental in our success.” As an additional motivator for customers, the sale also served as a fund raising mechanism for the Lobster Institute. For each purchase through the “Lobster Bailout-Blowout Sale”, Lobster Gram contributed $1 to the Lobster Institute. Nearly $2,000 was raised. “We are very proud to count Lobster Gram as one of our newest industry partners,” said Dr. Bob Bayer, Executive Director of the Lobster Institute. “Dan has admirable foresight when it comes to the sustainability of the lobster resource and the fishery. He completely understands the mission of the Lobster Institute and our C.O.R.E. focus: Conservation, Outreach, Research, and Education…for the future of the lobster industry. His ‘Lobster Bailout-Blowout Sale’ is an example of his creative style and commitment to the fishery. It was doubly effective as it helped the lobstermen out of a tight jam, and raised both visibility and funds for the Lobster Institute.” Dan “The Lobster Man” Zawacki started Lobster Gram in 1987 and it remains one of the top direct-mail retailers of lobster and gourmet foods. They ship all their live Maine lobster packages directly from their warehouse in Biddeford, Maine; and their National Customer Service Headquarters are in Chicago. You can learn more about them and their products at www.livelob.com or at 1-800-LIVELOB. The Lobster Institute has a 20+-year history of working with and for the lobster industry -- with an industry-driven focus on conservation, outreach, research, and education to sustain a healthy resource and a viable fishery. It serves the entire American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishing region, from Long Island Sound to Newfoundland, from its home base at the University of Maine. You can learn more about the Lobster Institute at www.lobsterinstitute.org or by calling 207-581-2751.

Buy a Lobster Gram, Save the Lobster Industry!

As all of you probably know, America is facing one of the most difficult economic times since the Great Depression. This drop in the economy, paired with the rising costs of fuel have brought the Lobster Market to it's knees. In an effort to bail out the Lobster men, Lobster Gram is thrilled to announce it's BIGGEST SALE EVER! Save up to 50% on the Original Lobster Gram Dinner, and $1 of every sale will go to the Lobster Institute to help save the Maine Lobster, and the dozens of Industries just like ours they support! Take a look at this great video clip from our very own warehouse in Biddeford Maine. These are the people that need our help. Save & Donate today!

To view the Video From our Biddeford Warehouse, Click Here

Lobster College 2008

Lobster College Attendees enjoying Larry the Lobster Finger Puppets from Lobster Gram

Lobster College 2008 hosted by the Lobster Institute & Kenniston Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast is finally over and was a smashing success! Tickets sold out fast for this extended learning weekend that ran from September 18th-21st. "Lobster College Students" stayed at the historic Kenniston Hill Inn B&B, which is an actual Lobster Boat Builders Mansion. This 1786 mansion built by David Kenniston, a prominent shipbuilder and landowner is now wonderfully restored with 10 incredible guest rooms.
Kenniston Hill Inn B&B in beautiful Boothbay Maine After the arrival and welcome session at the Inn, the real fun begins with the first lobster dinner! Because this is a Lobster Learning vacation, each lunch and dinner contains Maine's main export, the lovely Maine Lobster. The next few days are filled with fun, hands-on learning. Students visit an actual working Lobster Wharf to see how real lobster men pull up traps, and galvanize so many industries with one simple crustacean. Lectures and Lobster continue till graduation day when college attendees receive their diplomas and awards, and then it's back home to share the new found Lobster knowledge.

The Nichols: Lobster College Attendees & Lobster Gram Customers attending Biology class during Lobster College 2008.

The most rewarding part of this long weekend, is knowing that the tuition costs go to help the Lobster Institute with their yearly fund raising. The Lobster Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to lobster education and sustainability. What better way to support such a great cause than to take part in an experience such as this.

Lobster College students on the Docks near the Lobstering vessel, the Hunky Dory

When Lobster Gram got wind of the Lobster College, they wanted to help out the cause. After all, they too are dependent on Lobsters to make a living. Lobster Gram sent out an Email notification detailing the Lobster College to their customers and were able to get a few of their customers to fill the remaining positions! The day the email notification was sent out, so many visitors went to the the Lobster Institute site, their servers crashed (But not before selling out the class!)
All in all, Lobster College is a great example of how businesses of all kinds can work together toward common goals like preserving Maine Lobsters and all of the industries it supports.
Lobster Gram Email Blast Promoting Lobster College