2017-04-05-TOUR2-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Town of Lexington Tourism Committee Dawn McKenna, Chair (781) 862-0500 ext 84585 Minutes Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 4:30 — 6:00 pm Dawes Room (Second Floor Town Office Building) Members Present: Marsha Baker, Margaret Coppe, Bebe Fallick, Jon Himmel, Trisha Kennealy Dawn McKenna, Wim Nijenberg, Leeying Wu Staff Present: Megan Zammuto Center Committee Liaison: Fred Johnson Members Absent: Kerry Brandin 1) Minutes The committee reviewed the minutes of the March 22nd Tourism Committee Meeting. A motion was made to approve the minutes, this motion was seconded and approved unanimously. 2) Town Meeting report and votes as necessary Committee members discussed the Visitors Center Article at Town Meeting. Although the funding that was approved was less than anticipated, it did give a clear statement to move forward with this project. The committee discussed the project, and how the Tourism Committee can work with the Permanent Building Committee to make sure the architect is given appropriate direction about the program. A motion was made to authorize Dawn McKenna, Tourism Committee Chair, to ask the Selectmen to release the $131,000 that remains from the prior appropriation so that the design work can be done immediately. The motion was seconded and approved with Jon Himmel abstaining. 3) Website The Economic Development Office and Information Services Offices are aware that the Tourism Committee has concerns about the current website. Staff has asked the committee to address the issues after Town Meeting. 4) Tourism Operations — Staff Updates Megan Zammuto updated the committee on the online ticketing program. It launched March 30d and opening weekend for the Liberty Ride saw 52 riders, including 6 that booked online. The Liberty Ride has had 13 online bookings to date. On March 20d Economic Development Staff put together a visitor services orientation modeled off the recreation department training for seasonal staff. Megan also gave an overview of the Tourism Marketing budget to date. 5) Joint Tourism Season Kick -Off program This annual program has been organized by the Tourism Committee for the past ten years. The committee discussed the value of inviting all of the new leaders of organizations including the National Park Superintendent and the Historical Society Executive Director. Jon and Marsha indicated that they were interested in working on the program. 6) National Park Advocacy The National Park Budget has been severely cut and a group is looking to advocate for funding. Margaret discussed Representative Clark's online forum for appropriations. A motion was made to approve the Tourism Committee to advocate to restore funding for the National Park, sign the letter and take whatever steps necessary to support the park. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously. 1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420