HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-07-27-TOUR2-minTown of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Minutes
July 27, 2026
Remote by Microsoft Teams
3:00—5:00pm
Members Present: Marsha Baker (joined after meeting began), Margaret Coppe (Chair), Katia
Del Rio, Ting Fang, Pam Fowler, Marie -Tristan Rago, Melissa Robbins
Members absent: Gardy Desrouleaux, Bebe Fa!lick
Center Committee: Kat McDonald
Select Board Liaison:
Staff Present: Jay Abdella, Interim Economic Development Director
Stacia Cooper, Visitors Center Manager
Jackson Rhodes, Tour Services Coordinator
Quests:
Dawn McKenna
The meeting was called to order at 3:06 PM. The chair read the authorization for remote
meetings
A quorum was present.
Vote to call to order: Coppe, Aye; Del Rio, Aye; Fang, Aye; Fowler, Aye; Rago, Aye, Robbins, Aye
The vote was unanimous.
Economic Development Report
1) People Counter: April 2026, 13,947; down from April 2025 (250th) 20,676; up front
April 2024 9793
May 2026 13,226 up from May 2025, 12, 121, up from 2024, 9790
June 2026, 16, 301 up from June 202 5, 15,689, up from June 2024 12,327
2) Sales: April 2026 $32,026 down 5%, April 2025, but up 61% from April 2024
May 2026 up 3%, over May 2025, but up 27% over May 2024
June 2026, down 6% over, June 2025, June 2024 up
3) Tours sales April 2026, down 35% from April 2025, but up 27% from April 2024
May 2026, down 15% from May 2025 but up 113% from May 2024
All three years have had different tour frequencies which explains the large swings
June 2026 up 15% from June 2025 and 170% increase from June 2024
4) Liberty Ride Good month
Visitors Center had extended hours during FIFA Soccer Watch Parties. The Liberty Ride had
limited hours in April.
5) Sperling Report: more using Google and other search engines.
Can Sperling identify those sources with increased use of Al.
1
What was spent on internet advertising in April, May, June?
6) Seasonal initiatives
Wristband Initiative Program: with purchase of Liberty Ride,360 Battle green tour and
IRev, wristbands with discounts at Liberty Sweets, Maxima, and Town Meeting Bistro, a
10% discount.
Discussion about better publicity to merchants (Crafty Yankee did not know about
program), contact high school football team Abou their discount card program for
references to merchants, go away from the Center, go in person to solicit participation,
offer complimentary item.
Committee would like report of use of wristbands from retailers.
Minutes
April 27, 2026 Marie -Tristan Rago moved and Pam Fowler seconded approving the minutes.
Vote: Coppe, Aye; Del Rio, Aye; Fang, Aye; Fowler, Aye; Rago, Aye, Robbins, Aye
The minutes were unanimously approved.
Economic Development Director
Sandhya lye, Economic Development Director, r departed on July 17, 2026; Jay Abdell is Interim
Director.
Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development, retiring in September.
Jackson Rhodes, Tour Services Director, leaving August 7, 2026.
Economic Development Director job posted, closes first week in August, plan is to have new
person in place by Labor Day
Pam Fowler and Katia Del Rio interested in being part of hiring process of Economic
Development Director. Margaret Coppe will find out what role Tourism Committee might play
in the process.
Future Events on Visitors Center Lawn
Following on the success of the FIFA Soccer Watch Parties, 20,000 participants over the 11 days,
Food vendors utilized, participants came from many surrounding towns, participants utilized
local take-out restaurants. Thoughts about future events. Football (professional) games,
seasonal events.
Annual Report
Due September 9, 2026. Need photo. Plan to have hybrid meeting on August 31 for photo
opportunity. Jay will reserve room at Town Hall.
Updates and Miscellaneous
• Center Committee: No report
• Lexington History Museums (Marsha Baker):
Successful Summer Fridays at Buckman Tavern
Pressing Matter, Media in colonial times, August 6
Fourth ofJuly programs standing room only
Summer Adventure on going
Visitor numbers to Museum up June and July
2
New marketing person: Stephanie Vandale
10 (full and part time) staff
Website and emails: no report
• Cultural District No report
Jay Abdella reported on the new wayfinding signs on the Minuteman Bike path, both fixed and
electronic. A policy for use of messaging on the electronic signs is being developed.
Marsha Baker moved and Pam Fowler seconded adjournment.
Vote: Baker, Aye; Coppe, Aye; Del Rio, Aye; Fang, Aye; Fowler, Aye; Rago, Aye, Robbins, Aye
The vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM
Next Meeting: Monday August 31s, 2026 at 3:00 PM, Hybrid Select Board Meeting Room,
Lexington Town Hall and remote by Microsoft Teams.
Respectfully submitted:
Margaret Coppe
July 30, 2026
Voted August 31, 2026
Edited September 1, 2026
3