HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-30-TOUR2-min Town of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Minutes
September 30, 2024
Hybrid
Parker Room Town Hall and Zoom
3:30 pm
PRESENT: Marsha Baker, Margaret Coppe (Chair), Bebe Fallick, Pam Fowler,
Marie-Tristan Rago, Melissa Robbins
Fred Johnson, Liaison Center Committee
Absent: Suzie Barry Select Board, Gardy Desrouleaux, Ting Fang, Elsie Xu
Staff Present: Jay Abdella, Sandhya Iyer
Guests: Harry Forsdick, Dawn McKenna
Margaret called the meeting to order at 3:34 pm. She read the authorization for
remote meetings.
A quorum was present.
Vote to call meeting to order: Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye, Bebe
Fallick, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye; Marie-Tristan Rago, Aye; Melissa Robbins, Aye
Economic Development Report Sandhya Iyer
Jay Abdella
• People counter July 2024 up 19% over 2023
• Visitor's Center Sales for July 2024 up 12.4% over 2023
• Battle Green Tours July up 66% over 2023
• Liberty Ride Trolley July fully booked
• Fall Initiatives/Plans:
48K MOTT grant for Paul Revere Ride video for Visitor Center
American Bus Association award Best of the Best will be featured in
Nov/Dec issue of Destinations
Jackson Rhoads will attend ABA conference
National Geographic feature in magazine and on website
Planning to translate Battle Green guide script in additional
languages
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Adding microphone and headsets for Battle Green tours
Review of Sperling analytics of website for August; hits on website up
Minutes:
Marsha Baker moved, and Marie Tristan-Rago seconded, approval of the August
26, 2024 minutes.
Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye, Bebe Fallick, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye;
Marie-Tristan Rago, Aye; Melissa Robbins, Aye
The vote was unanimous.
Countdown Calendar
December 5, 2024, 8:30 AM
Goals
Short Term: Update expand the map of the Old Burying Ground and explore
interpretative sign with QR code; Paul Revere video for Visitor Center
Long Term: Develop plan to expand the Trolley into East Lexington, possibly with
two trolleys; in light of increased tourism, develop budget request with Sandhya
to increase staff
Schedule a meeting with the new Town Manage possibly with Suzy Barry.
Lex 250 Report
Beebe reported from the 250th Committee:
• Parker's Prelude September 21, 2024 (rescheduled) Rain Site High School
• Drone Show October 20, 2024
• Horse Project
• 250 Monument hearing at Historic District Commission continued
Updates and Miscellaneous
Center Committee; Fred Johnson's last meeting as his term on the Center
Committee ends October 1, 204. Reported that at last meeting there was
discussion about parking specifically the library lot and the Muzzey lot.
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Lexington Historical Society: Lafayette Event has 57 participants; Visitor
Center; 18th Century Living History; Architecture Tour; Halloween events;
historical houses closed on Tuesdays; fundraiser: Murder Mystery at
Buckman Tavern October 25, 2024; fundraising for Depot is successful and
continues; Depot will close in November and reopen in April 2025.
Website and emails: nothing
Cultural District: nothing
Adjournment
5:36 PM
Marsha made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Marie seconded the motion.
Marsha Baker, Aye; Margaret Coppe, Aye; Pam Fowler, Aye; Marie-Tristan Rago,
Aye; Melissa Robbins, Aye
The vote was unanimous.
Next Meeting: Monday October 28, 2024 at 3:30 PM, Hybrid
Respectfully submitted:
Margaret Coppe
10/2/2024
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