HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-13-TOUR2-minTourism Committee Meeting
December 13, 2010
Present: Dawn McKenna, Masha Traber, Bebe Fallick, Paul O'Shaughnessy, Jim Shaw,
Kerry Brandin, Carla Fortmann and Susan Bennett.
1) No minutes were available for the March 2010 or November 2010 meetings so
none were approved.
2) Various committee members reported on their visits to Lexington Center
merchants to share the new tourist map and to update merchants on activities of
the Tourism Committee. Results of the visits were generally positive.
3) Liberty Ride - 2011 Operations
a. Liberty Ride will begin its 10 year in April. Ideas for celebration are
solicited - giveaways, free rides. Actual Date is July 8 1 h.
b. Museum Closing - general discussion about the direction of the Scottish
Rite Museum and the 3 days closings /week affecting the Liberty Ride.
Jim Shaw will speak to Dick Travis, Executive Director, to find out the
path forward for the Museum.
c. Staff Restructuring for the Liberty Ride. Masha Traber's job has become
24/7 during the active season and an assistant is needed. Dawn will price
out the cost. The Liberty Ride will also like to begin in April (weekends
only) when the Historical Houses open. This will also be added expense.
d. Susan Bennett announced that the Historical society will raise their
prices on house admissions this Spring and will ask the Liberty Ride for
an increase in the payment from them. Masha and Dawn will look at
these numbers and it will be discussed in January
4) Advertising Opportunities
a. AAA Dawn introduced placing an ad in the AAA newpaper Horizon. We
had good results from the Liberty Ride picture and article last season. Prices will be
solicited and discussed at the next meeting.
b. AAA Marketplace will take place in Foxboro on March 4,5, & 6. The cost
for a booth is $2500 and is in the Adams Grant proposal Budget. Discussion of
Staffing commitment from all the groups is needed.
c. GBCVB ad renewals - on website. Hard data difficult on effectiveness, but
Dawn will try to get the "hit" numbers. Liberty Ride will continue its ad with the
tour planner section. $6000 in its current budget. The question is about renewal of
the overall group ad in the Museums &Attractions section.
D. CTM subway map ad was discussed but group felt it was not a target
audience for us and quite expensive.
6) FY 2012 warrant articles
a. $15k marketing funds in committee budget will remain same
b. Liberty Ride Budget -added weekends April &May (7 weekends)
c. Battle Green Guides - increased funding to reflect actual days covered
d. Payroll Increases -not at this time
e. Tavern Lane acceptance -not sure where this stands. Liberty Ride
should have better access to Munroe.
f. Battle Green Master Plan -Dawn and Bebe praised the work of the
committee and especially the consultant. The report is available online
and at the Library. The next meeting of this committee will be January
6th.
g. Battle Green Master Plan Funding -Dawn clarified that David Kanter, of
the Capital Expenditures Committee wants the committee to request all
the funding at once to help with future planning. We have request $50k,
not full amount.
h. $36k Adams Art Grant matching funds from the town will be requested as
a separate amount.
Ongoing projects:
a. January 12 Sunday MBTA Service meeting at Jay Kaufman's Office
b. Adams Art Grant submitted
i. Bicycle map in Progress
ii. Linger in Lexington - Upon motion duly made and
seconded, the Committee voted to have both this term and
"Birthplace of American Liberty" trademarked.
iii. May Festival discussed briefly - name, coordination of
activities, etc. to be continued
Upon Motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Documents Available for Review
1. FY2011 Liberty Ride Budget Request
2. Business Visit Spreadsheet
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Bennett and Carla Fortmann