HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-28-TOUR2-minTourism Committee Meeting
January 28, 2008 — 4PM
Town Office Building, Room 111
Members present: Susan Bennett, Kerry Brandin, Richard Canale, Bebe Fallick, Dawn
McKenna, Joanne Myers, Paul O'Shaughnessy.
Absent: Mary Jo Bohart, John Ott, Lou Sideris, Peter Kelley (Selectmen Liaison)
Staff: Masha Traber
Guests: Jerry Michelson, Jeff Brandes, Bill Delay, Carla Fortmann, Bill Poule
The meeting minutes of May 14, 2007 and December 10, 2007 were reviewed and
approved without change.
A brief presentation was made by Jeff Brandes of EveryScape and Jerry Michelson of
the Lexington Retailers Association about the new commercial, for - profit website under
development Viewl-exington.com which uses cutting -edge technology to produce a
virtual tour of the Town. Twenty retailers have already signed up to participate. The
Committee agreed that this has potential for tourism; Paul and Dawn will work with them
to coordinate the representation of our Town's historic sites and attractions.
Paul O'Shaughnessy circulated a proposal that will to be presented to the Board of
Selectmen asking permission and support for a Battle Road Re- enactment at Tower
Park on Saturday, April 19, 2008, around 4PM. The Committee was enthusiastic in its
support. Logistics with the last run of the Liberty Ride will need to be worked out. A
suggestion was made to contact the Bicycle Committee to make people aware that
riding bikes would be a good way to access the event. A few thousand dollars will need
to be raised to cover expenses precisely at the same time that the Chamber is
fundraising for the parade and that the group should be sensitive in not diminishing their
annual fundraising. It was suggested that publicity for the event should go to the
Lexington and the Concord Chambers of Commerce.
There was a brief discussion about updating the display of historic sites and attractions
at the Visitors Center. Dawn had discussed this with Dick Michelson who reviewed the
current installation. She will follow -up with Dick. Jerry Michelson mentioned that the
LISS Lexington pictures take up much of the limited space. Another location within Town
will be sought, if the Lions Club agrees. Meanwhile, Dawn will work with Carla Fortmann
to create a new display.
Susan Bennett announced that the 2008 season of the LHS will run from April 5 to
November 2. The Hancock - Clarke house will be closed for restoration and the Paul
Revere re- enactment will not take place for this year's Patriot's Day due to the site work.
Admission has been increased to $6 for adults and $4 for children for one house; $8/$5
for two. Munroe will be undergoing changes to present itself as the Museum of the
British. One room will be totally re- furnished. A new Orientation film about Lexington is
being developed.
Joanne Myers, Director of Education and Public Relations, updated us on news at the
NHM now under interim director Dick Travis. A new shop manager has also been hired.
Kerry Brandin reported that the files have all been transferred to the sign maker. The
cost of the 33 signs will fit within the budget of $15,060. One new parking sign for the
back parking lot has been added and will need HDC approval prior to installation this
spring.
Dawn spoke with Bill Bunce who is involved with the two new hotels at the former
Lexington Sheraton site. The new facilities will open in July. He would like to advertise
on the back of our 2008 Liberty Ride brochure.
Mention was made about how useful joint training of attraction personnel was last year
and that it should be scheduled again so all staff understands and supports each other's
organization.
Richard Canale reported that federal funding of the Scenic Byway was approved. MAPC
will coordinate a 2 -year study.
Looking ahead to Town Meeting, a review of our budget and expenditures confirmed that
the Liberty Ride had a FY 07 surplus of $2274 and the Battle Green Guides generated
$750 in charter income in FY07. It will be proposed that the Guide program have an
expense line for costumes that be funded with the charter income. It will also be
explored if a fund can be built with generated income to be used for other tourism
initiatives. The FY09 Liberty Ride budget will include a 4.4% increase in fuel costs but
the other expenses for operating the trolley will remain the same under the contract.
On motion duly made and seconded, Masha Traber, Liberty Ride program coordinator,
was granted permission to plan a family vacation which would take place just prior to,
and including the first few days around the Memorial Day launch of the season. Another
guide will be trained to fill in those days if it becomes necessary. That person will
receive additional compensation for that time.
A discussion was begun about how to make proceeds from commissions paid to the
NHM and the Visitors Center equitable with the payment for one house admission to the
LHS. It was interesting to note that an analysis of all expenses involved in the selling of
Liberty Ride tickets at the NHM yielded a slight profit. A formula will need to be decided
at the next Tourism meeting on March 3.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:02PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kerry Brandin