HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-12-TOUR2-minTown of Lexington - Tourism Committee
Minutes of January 12, 2009 Meeting
Present: Susan Bennett, Mary Jo Bohart, Kerry Brandin, Bebe Fallick, Carla Fortmann,
Kathleen James, Dawn McKenna, Joanne Myers, Paul O'Shaughnessy, John Ott, Lou Sideris,
Staff: Masha Traber; Center Committee: Fred Johnson, Christopher Bateman
Town staff guests: Carl Valente, Town Manager; Susan Yanofsky, Economic Development
Officer
Guests: Carter Hearn ( ?) Fred Johnson and Christopher Bateman, Center Committee;
Absent: John Patrick
The meeting convened at 4PM in Room 111 of the Town Office Building
AGENDA
1) Welcome newest member - Kathleen James, Starwood Hotel
2) Town Report Photo - taken outside the Selectmen's Office
3) Kathleen agreed to take minutes of the meeting.
4) Upon motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of December 8th were approved.
5) Sunday M BTA Service - Route 62 & 76
a. Gail Wagner will be happy to work with us
b. A question was brought forth to see if the bus stop can be changed
i. John Ott will contact the MBTA and Gail to further discuss
ii. The request to have the bus offer service from gam until 5pm on Sundays
iii. Masha Suggested we draw up a petition and stand outside the Town Office
during the Town Meeting.
iv. Mary Jo addressed the issue will be cost, and suggested possibly looking
at the following:
■ Recommending a changed in service, less routes on Saturdays.
■ Looking at the revenue generated on Saturdays and what data
they have to provide
■ Possibly partnering with Arlington & Bedford
■ Combining route 62 and 76 on Saturday - and possibly the same
on Sunday.
6) Town Manager discussion - Carl Valente
i. Relationship of Tourism to Economic Development Office
■ Dawn suggested everyone on the committee and staff introduce
themselves and how they can advance tourism in Lexington:
a. Highlights from introductions:
• Fred - Would like to develop an electronic version
of the Lexington Center Map
• Chris - align goals through all committees for
better outcomes.
• Dawn - Improve tourism without affecting
residents and to have more leverage in return from
tourists who already come here.
ii. Improving Communication
■ Christopher Bateman suggested each committee chair meet to
establish effective coordination to stream line all of our goals.
■ Carl Valente suggested we add him to the meeting minutes
■ Carl also suggested we have discussions during regular business
meetings vs. one -on -ones.
iii. Visitor Center Improvements /Signage
• The grounds of the visitor's center are not conducive to visitors
needs. There are not enough benches
• Thoughts regarding updating interior of the building as well.
iv. FY10 Program Improvement Request
■ This request is an investment in growing revenues in the Town
■ Branding Lexington - "Spend the day in Lexington" American
Express ad which would have been a great return on investment,
no one could afford to split the cost ($1500) .
■ Creating demand with limited sources:
a. Travel Writers - Print & web presentations
b. Host conventions - historical / railway, etc.
c. What do we do to keep the visitors here?
d. Leverage of public /private partnership - how to invest &
measure ROI.
e. Put together a list and prioritize it of what we need to
increase travel & tourism
f. Items that would generate revenue without effecting the
residents
b. Map /Walking tour brochure email Jerry Michelson
■ Should we offer separate maps: A walking map separate from
Lexington center map
c. Planning Battle Green Master Planning Process draft approved to present at initial
stakeholder meeting
Upon motion duly made and seconded, meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Kathleen James