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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-26-TOUR2-minTown of Lexington Tourism Committee Minutes January 26, 2026 Remote by Microsoft Teams 3:00—5:00pm Members Present: Margaret Coppe (Chair), Gardy Desrouleaux, Bebe Fallick, Ting Fang, Pam Fowler, Marie -Tristan Rago, Melissa Robbins Members absent: Marsha Baker Center Committee: Kat MacDonald Select Board Liaison: Doug Lucente Staff Present: Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director Stacia Cooper, Visitor Center Manager Jackson Rhodes, Tour Services Coordinator Quests: Fred Johnson, Dawn McKenna The meeting was called to order at 3:10 PM. The chair read the authorization for remote meetings A quorum was present. Vote to call to order: Coppe, Aye; Desrouleaux, Aye; Fallick, Aye; Fang, Aye; Fowler, Aye; Rago, Aye; Robbins, Aye The vote was unanimous. Economic Development Report Not much activity to report due to time of year. There are new blogs on the website. Social media and You Tube continue. Jackson Rhodes reported on his recent attendance at the Conference of the American Bus Association. Charter bus activity is increasing across the country. Visits from Canadians are declining. Spring/Fall Initiatives/Plans Heading toward April 2026 Working on augmented/virtual reality tours; will invite committee to try out Working with other museums on programs Waiting to get FIFA permits, looking for a FIFA watch party at Hastings Park sometime June 16- 26. Need to be aware of Lions carnival at site for the Fourth of July. Minutes September 29, 205: Bebe Fallick moved, Marie -Tristan seconded November 24, 2025: Gardy Desrouleaux moved, Pam Fowler seconded January 13, 2026 Ting Fang moved, Marie -Tristan seconded 1 Vote: Coppe, Aye; Desrouleaux, Aye; Fallick, Aye; Fang, Aye; Fowler, Aye; Rago, Aye; Robbins, Aye The minutes were unanimously approved. Liberty Ride Discussion included • Kat MacDonald reported from the Center Committee that there were questions, heard from Fred Johnson, want more information about the numbers, is ride losing money, direct costs versus indirect costs, approaching Concord, use of Lexpress, combo tickets, and coupons. • Sandhya reported that a grant that was applied for with Concord and the Minute Man National Historic Park was not awarded. Concord has not been interested in partnering and Old Town Trolley declined to partner. • Dawn McKenna explained some of the history of getting the trolley started. State that she believes the financial accounting is inaccurate • Fred Johnson stated that he does not want to see Lexington sending tourists to Concord • Doug Lucent added that if the Trolley route was changed to include East Lexington, that the planned Lyceum is still some years away. • Melissa Robbins said that local businesses do get traffic from the Trolley patrons. • Bebe Fallick expressed concern that if the Trolley went away, there is nothing planned to replace it and that it would take time to bring a new program on board. • Margaret Coppe moved that the Tourism Committee recommend to the Select Board they continue the Liberty Ride past March 2027 and enter into a long-term contract for a new vehicle and work with staff to make operational improvements. Bebe Fallick seconded. Vote: Coppe, Aye; Desrouleaux, Aye; Fallick, Aye; Fang, Aye; Fowler, Abstain; Rago, Aye; Robbins, Aye The motion passed 6-0-1. Updates and Miscellaneous • Center Committee: Kat Macdonald reported that the committee brought forth concerns about parking in the Center • Lexington History Museums: no report • Website and emails: no report • Cultural District: Change of rules being implemented. Town will be required to match funds and appoint .25 staff to Cultural District Bebe Fallick moved and Marie -Tristan Rago seconded adjournment. Coppe, Aye; Fallick, Aye; Fang, Aye; Fowler, Aye; Rago, Aye The meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM 2 Next Meeting: Monday February 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM, Hybrid Respectfully submitted: Margaret Coppe January 27, 2026 3