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Massachusetts is a founding partner in Brand USA which is the first federal program to target the international market in a unified way. Through their educational program "Tourism U" we have ]carried lilt; 1 uCGiiiaiiviia, Hialiscl, iri cruational visitors spena 3 times as much as domestic visitors. Their average stay is three weeks which is longer that national visitors, translating to more dollars. Important to Massachusetts is that their visit is not dependent on weather. Typically they seek all educational based experience. Massachusetts, with its history and strong academic institutions is a favorite destination. Once they book, the come, and international visitors look at the calendar as ' a 12 montl_1 ,ppo :nit;;, no t zi seasonal six lnoi1i11 window. All important component of attracting international visitors is having the physical space to respond to cultural norms of international visitors. The building was built for national visitors, with little consideration for the expectations of international travelers. Yet it is our international neighbors who seek to understand the power of democracy and therefore travel to Massachusetts. Our world is getting smaller; our visitors are more savvy, and their heeds evolving. If we are goiner to reach our vision of being knoNvn internationally as a world -class tourislll destination, then the first impression our international guests should have in the building is one that reflects a multi - cultural experience. Since its formation in the mid- 1990s, initially under the leadership of Betty Eddison, the Town's Tourism Cormnittee has partnered with the Chamber to understand visitor needs and to provide the infrastructure to support it. Based on the foundation Ofini rInation gathered ;tom local and state resources, visitors Sii viC2S Si30iiiu iut lout. customer service counter space for welcoming an c^,ssIsting customers, large enough to spread out leaps, interpretative services to provide an overview of our history; orientation that sparlko the r_1,GiG` Ut 'visitCii`S t go rulo the co unmunity gild patronize our cultural, historic and business resources, retail sales which serve as both a remembrancc of the trip, but an advertising tool for Lexington; acid modern, clean, and accessible bathrooms ill sufficient quantity to reflect the use. RIT I VQQ il Ty nDA/FVXT_ l:as ; hi recent years, Lexington has made a concei led effort to become more business friendly. Ili doing so, the Town has benefited by the partnership with the Chamber in man ways. ays. Through programming and pa.,' �i.ilcr hip the Q{in has worked cooperatively with the TOom. arid usinesjes t0 attract and retain all types of businesses and helped stabilize and increase tax revenues. The Chamber continues to be a hub for economic development in ways the Town does not have the resources to do. By redesigning the space, we have an opportunity to provide improved business services so Lexington will maintain itself as a destination where a variety of businesses choose to launch and grow. The Visitors Center is a Iit,rbi - id Downstairs Is largely visi services, interpretation, retail sales and restrooms. Upstairs, the Chamber has always been a hub of business activities. Before the Town had an Economic Development Officer it was the resource for businesses looking to move to Lexington. New businesses Hurried to the Chamber for assistance as they sought to start, grow, and sustain their business. Today businesses continue to depend on the Chamber. The Chamber helps information and services to businesses deciding whether to locate in Lexington, seeking to attract and retain employees, in hosting clients and by provide support services. The Chamber organizes monthly meetings on relevant topics, networking nights, member referrals, women to women luncli series, business newsletters, facilities S� vnr counseling, arid much more to facilitate success. Few visitors' centers provide this invaluable direct support to community businesses, in addition to services for travelers. As a result, Lexington taxpayers benefit from the Visitors Center through business tax dollars. ] a May 7, 2013 -8-