HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-03-TOUR2-minLexington Tourism Committee
Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 3, 2010 at 4:00 p.m., Room 111
Members Present: Kerry Brandin, John Patrick, Dawn McKenna, Bebe Fallick, Susan Bennett,
Carla Fortmann, Mary Gillespie, Masha Traber Liberty Ride Coordinator
Absent: Lou Sideris, Mary Jo Bohart, Kathleen James, Paul O'Shaughnessy, Selectmen Liaison Peter
Kelley
1. Liberty Ride
a. Ridership over Patriots Day weekend more than broke even with an unusually low
turnout of 28 people on Saturday and one of the highest days ever on Sunday with 83
passengers. An initial discussion of next year's schedule considered whether the Ride
should open 2 weeks earlier or even 2 weekends earlier as visitors are still few at the
houses during the week.
b. The discount coupon offer for the Liberty Ride needs to be updated. Carla Fortmann
offered to contact the restaurants. Dawn will follow up with Mary Jo to have the
Chamber write a letter to their membership about this free offer.
c. Kerry Brandin noted that there's no current information about the Liberty Ride on the
TripAdvisor website. Masha will look into this.
2. Tour Guide Training - June 1, 5 -7PM
a. Although she's unable to attend, Carla will work with Dawn to coordinate the advance
part of the training. The program will focus on services offered at the National Park
including a showing of the multimedia presentation. All front line desk staff and guides
are to be invited. A light dinner will be offered. Paul O'Shaughnessy will be asked to
develop a sheet of suggested itineraries using the T that connects to the Liberty Ride
and the various sites. Dawn will speak to the Town about the condition of Tavern Lane
which is unpaved and treacherous even for pedestrians. This route has been suggested
to visitors who want to walk between NHM and Munroe but is now considered too
dangerous.
3. Greater Merrimack CVB Board Nominations
a. With the departure of John Ott, it is important to have Lexington represented on this
board. Either Dawn or Masha would be good candidates but the time commitment was
of concern.
4. Town Meeting Results
a. Funding for the Battle Green Master Plan, $15,000 for marketing, and the Liberty Ride
budget were all approved by Town Meeting.
b. As part of the marketing effort, we will work with the Bicycle Advisory Committee to
produce a map for tourists on bikes.
5. Visitor Guide and Map
a. The layout and content of this piece were discussed at length. Similar guides were
reviewed for ideas. A more developed document will be reviewed at the next meeting
as it is hoped that this will be ready for distribution this season.
6. Next meeting will be Monday, May 24, 2010 at 4PM.
Respectfully submitted, Kerry Brandin