Tourism Committee Regular Meeting March 16, 2015
SIMSBURY TOURISM COMMITTEE
"Heritage, Charm, Adventure"
Simsbury Inn
731 Hopmeadow Street
Regular Meeting, Monday, March 16, 2015 7:30p.m.
1. Meeting was called to order at 7:30pm. Attending were Dominique Avery, Cathy Barnard, Angela Campetti, Pat Carbone, Kevin Gray, Kathy Oakes, Diane Phillips, Charmaine Seavey and Barbara O’Connor.
2. Minutes from January 20 and February 17 were approved. Dominique announced that Rick Wagner has been appointed as an official member.
3. The committee is grateful to Jan Losee of the Simsbury Inn for hosting this meeting.
4. Old Business
A. Kathy is working on a list of places carrying Simsbury souvenirs that can be added to the website.
B. Barbara is still working on the restaurant list for the website.
C. State Tourism Marketing Outreach and Summer Marketing Plans: Dominique attended the presentation. Highlights included reports that most visitors came from CT, NY and MA, with the draws being arts, culture and history; as well as outdoor adventures and sports, entertainment, food and romantic getaways. There will be no "fan favorite" contest this year.
D. Committee Budget: Current year funds will be used for brochure revisions and reprinting, as well as printing stickers for some other brochures. First Selectman Lisa Heavner proposed putting $5000 in the Tourism Committee’s budget for use in the planned Visitors’ Center/Hub. At this time we are not planning a promotional video.
E. Visitors’ Center/Hub: Discussions are ongoing as to participants and sites.
F. Hudson House March 19 hearing: a number of committee members are planning on attending as private citizens. The committee will not make an official recommendation.
5. New Business
A. Tourism Website Domain name: members are looking into costs of purchasing a name and having it linked to Town site. Tourism Committee will try to coordinate with Economic Development Committee.
B. Tourism Video: plans on hold.
C. Coordination with State Website: members are urged to place items on the calendar.
D. Blue Heron Rookery: this is one of the draws for birding groups.
E. Performing Arts Center Schedule: Cathy presented the summer schedule, followed by a lively discussion of the various events.
F. Innovators’ Fair will be held at four sites in town (high school, library, historical society and former Wagner Ford building) featuring innovation teams at each location
G. May is Bike Month
H. Nerd Wallet finds Simsbury #1 Town in CT for Young Families: very nice publicity.
6. Quick Updates: committee reviewed list of upcoming events. The May meeting of the committee may be held at the library, and if so, would have an earlier start time. Details will be announced next month.
The next regular meeting will be held Monday, April 20, at the Linden House, 288-290 Hopmeadow St.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45pm
Respectfully submitted by Barbara O’Connor