2017-02-08-TOUR2-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Town of Lexington Tourism Committee Dawn McKenna, Chair (781) 862-0500 ext 84585 Minutes Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at 4:30 – 6:00 pm Parker Room (Lower level Town Office Building) Members Present: Margaret Coppe, Jon Himmel, Trisha Kennealy, Dawn McKenna, Wim Nijenberg Staff Present: Megan Zammuto Center Committee Liaison: Fred Johnson Guests Present: Richard Pagent, Jim Shaw Members Absent: Marsha Baker, Kerry Brandin, Bebe Fallick, Leeying Wu 1)Visitors Center Project and Warrant Article The committee discussed the Visitors Center project and potential funding opportunities. The committee was asked to th meet with the Selectmen on February 13 to outline the warrant article, and the group discussed potential items for the presentation. Some of the key points are that this is an investment in future revenues for the Town; the Visitors Center is the first stop for travelers; it is a Town-owned building that generated $190k in sales last year, to present the numbers from Tony D’Agostino from MOTT, and the importance of making the building energy efficient. The th committee discussed state funds that are being used to invest in tourism across the state, including the 400 th celebration in Plymouth. We will be celebrating the 250 anniversary of the revolution in 2025, and ideally the Town would have a new Visitors Center at that time. One item of emphasis was to be sure that funding to include an exhibit designer as part of the team be included as originally intended and approved by Town Meeting. Trisha Kennealy and Jon Himmel offered to help with the presentation and Margaret Coppe would try to attend. 2)Minutes thth The committee reviewed the minutes from the November 30 and January 25 meetings of the Tourism Committee. A motion was made to adopt the minutes, as amended. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. 3)Tourism Operations – Staff Updates Megan Zammuto provided a staff update including a review of the Visitor Spending seminar, and an update on the Visitors Guide and Map. She reminded the committee about the AAA conference in March and asked for members to th meeting were brought volunteer. Megan provided a website update – the comments that were made at the January 25 to IT and the list of suggestions was divided into items that could be done quickly and easily, and those that would st have to be part of the ongoing improvement of the site. March 1 is the target launch date. Megan discussed the visitor services staff orientation that is being planned by staff set for this March. The committee discussed ideas surrounding the annual Tourism Committee led training and asked for ideas about how to use an event to launch the tourism season. Reprinting the Liberty Ride brochure was also discussed. Maureen Rynn from the Visitors Center pointed out a direction change to be made. 4)Committee Marketing Strategy The committee reviewed the marketing strategy and edits suggested at the last meeting. A motion was made to adopt the strategy as amended. The motion was seconded and approved. 5)Updates & Miscellaneous The 2017 version of the Visitors Guide is underway as the stock has been depleted. Kerry and Dawn reviewed all of the existing data in the brochure and provide changes. Megan was checking with Town 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420