HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-28-TOUR2-minTown of Lexington
Tourism Committee
Minutes
September 28, 2026
Remote by Microsoft Teams
3:00—5:00pm
Members Present: Margaret Coppe (Chair), Katia del Rio, Gardy Desrouleaux, Ting Fang, Marie -
Tristan Ra
g
o,
Members absent: Bebe Fallick, Pam Fowler, Melissa Robbins
Center Committee:
Select Board Liaison:
Staff Present: Jay Abdella, Senior Economic Development Coordinator
Economic Development Director: Bruce Stebbins
Stacia Cooper, Visitors Center Manager
Tour Services Coordinator: Anne -Marie Smith
Guests:
Abigail McCabe, Assistant Town Manager
Stacy Fraser, Museum of Our National Heritage
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; Desrouleaux, Aye; Fang, Aye; Rago, Aye,
The vote was unanimous.
Introduction of New Staff
Assistant Town Manager for Development: Abigail McCabe comes to the position after four
years as Lexington Town's planner.
Economic Development Director: Bruce Stebbins first day with Lexington. He comes from a
state wide business background.
Tour Services Coordinator; Anne -Marie Smith comes with a background in tourism.
Economic Development Report
1) People Counter: August 2026, 12,159; up 3 %from July 2025 (250th)
2) Visitors Center Sales:12% over July 2025
3) Tours sales down 1 % from July 2025
(Moe days, more charter busses)
4) Liberty Ride: Will continue through October 31, 2026
1
5) Sperling Report: more traffic to Al rather than organic searches
6) Seasonal initiatives
• Continue to search for site for the Meeting House model made by Ben Soule.
Gardy Desrouleaux volunteered that Revolution Hall might work as a site.
Suggestions that the model may travel to various Lexington sites. When the
Stone Building is renovated and opened, might be an appropriate location.
This would also be in East Lexington.
• Jay Abdella and Stacia shared their experience going with the official
delegation to the Sister City of Antony, France earlier in September.
• The Fall Halloween program will be held in October with seasonal decoration
in the Visitors Center.
Minutes
Stacia Cooper moved and Gardy Desrouleaux seconded approving the August 31, 2026 minutes.
Vote: Coppe, Aye; del Rio, Aye; Desrouleaux, Aye; Fang, Aye; Rago, Aye,
The minutes were unanimously approved.
Updates and Miscellaneous
• Center Committee: No report
• Lexington History Museums
• Website and emails: no report
• Cultural District No report: Meeting with Cultural District partners will be scheduled in
the next two months
• Ting Fang reported that the New Legacy Cultural Center will be holding a banquet in
December and is planning a Lantern Festival for February 20, 2027.
Stacia moved, and Ting Fang seconded adjourning.
Vote: Coppe, Aye; del Rio, Aye; Desrouleaux, Aye; Fang, Aye; Rago, Aye,
The vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 3:54 PM
Next Meeting: Monday October 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM, remote by Microsoft Teams.
Respectfully submitted:
Margaret Coppe
October 5, 2026
s
2