HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-30-TOUR2-minLexington Tourism Committee
Minutes of the meeting of
Monday, Apri130, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.
Room G -15
Members Present: Mary Jo Bohart, Bebe Fallick, Dawn McKenna, John Patrick, Denise Ricketts, Jim
Shaw Staff: Masha Traber
Absent: Kerry Brandin, Carla Fortmann, Mary Gillespie, Nicole Lewis, Paul O'Shaughnessy, Lou Sideris
1) Liberty Ride Operations
The Liberty Ride operations have begun. Changing the start of to the Visitors Center has
already proven to provide more opportunities to steer riders into downtown businesses and
the Historic Houses. Masha believes that if the trend continues there will be a significant
increase in the number of passengers visiting the houses this season. Parking arrangements
are working with a few kinks being worked out along the way.
2) Revolutionary Revelry
An update on the second year of Revolutionary Revelry was discussed, and the calendar
distributed. Help is needed to deliver calendars, take shifts in the tends, sell tickets, and be a
person -in- charge at events. This year we have added Twitter/Facebook and email blasts.
The Committee was asked to spread the word and connect with our social media.
3) Battle Green Signs
Lou and Paul have reviewed preliminary sketches for these signs with Christopher Bing.
Once the designs are finalized, they will be able to draft the text for them.
4) Minutes
a) On motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of April 25, 2011 were approved.
b) On motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of June 20, 2011 were approved.
c) On motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of January 9, 2012 were approved.
5) Visitors Guide
Help is needed to verify businesses and identify new businesses since the last version was
printed. Mary Jo offered to review the list and help with the updates. Consideration for
additional categories should be given such as car rentals. Suggestions included adding the
"Linger in Lexington" logo and possibly some calendar events.
6) GMBCB Sales Advisory Meeting 5/16 at Cary Library
The Greater Merrimack Valley May Sales Advisory meeting will be held in the large meeting
room in Cary Library. The meeting is from 9 — 10:30 am. Upon motion duly made and
seconded, the Committee agreed to provide the trolley for a fam tour to this group, following
the meeting. Deb Belanger plans to print the Lexington /Concord brochure after a one year
absence. The wording proposed was reviewed and suggestions will be passed along to Deb.
1625 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE • LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02420
7) Strategies and Funding Priorities Based on Vision and Mission Statement
a) Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted prioritize the marketing money as
follows:
i) $2,500 to purchase sponsorship of the Lexington page on Trip Advisor
ii) $2,800 to purchase people counter for both entrances of the Visitors Center
iii) $500 to develop a 30 -60 second video clip for the "Linger in Lexington" campaign
8) Announcements
a) The Dana Home rezoing will take place at Town Meeting on May 9th
b) Tour Guide Training was attended by 75 people for all organizations.
c) On March 27 there was a public meeting regarding uses of the Visitors Center
d) Bebe provided an update on the planned 300 celebrations.
Adjourned at approximately 5:07 pm
Respectfully submitted, Dawn McKenna
Documents available at the meeting:
1. Revolutionary Revelry calendar
2. Proposal for use of Marketing Funds from Carla Fortmann
3. Sensource information on People Counters dated 3.4.2012