Tourism Regular Meeting October 20, 2014
Simsbury Tourism Committee
"Heritage, Charm, Adventure"
International Skating Center of Connecticut
1375 Hopmeadow St Simsbury Ct 06070
Minutes Meeting Date: October 20, 2014
In attendance: Amy Fairchild, Joyce Howard, Barbara O'Connor, Angela Campetti, Kathy Oakes, Charmaine Seavy, Steve Mitchell, Dominique Avery, Cathy Barnard, Nan Shultz. Paulette Clarke
Meeting called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Amy Fairchild of the International Skating Center welcomes Tourism and discusses a bit about the Rink, the home of the CT Nighthawks and CT Northern Lights. The I.S.C is also the home rink of the Simsbury High School along with Westminster and Avon Old Farms. The rink is open to the public. Amy also discussed their event being held November 15th which would bring in 600 + and Nationals that come up in April and discussed further how tourism can help promote the events.
Old Business:
Dominique reports that she met with Tom Vincent was receptive to all comments. Dominique will be sending along an email to Dave Ryan and Ferg Jansen about our views on possible improvements. Septemberfest. Tourism will keep showing interest in enthusiasm with helping with and promoting it.
Website/Flyer/Restaurant progress:
Kathy Oakes informed the group that the information regarding the restaurant list on Simsbury's town website not being complete.
Bridge of Flowers: Dominique said that no contract has been signed yet regarding the property at 1 Old Bridge Road. No action has been taken by the Planning Commission. The Board of Finance meeting would be meeting the following Tuesday night where they would be discussing the consideration of the property. The Bridge of Flowers also planted daffodils.
Volunteer Fair: Paulette ad Barbara are submitting a letter to participating vendors of the past years Volunteer Fair asking if they are interested in having another Fair next April. There is also a major Inventors Fair being held in April as well.
SCTV Update: Dominique discussed the SCTV show, The Talk of Simsbury. She mentions discussion with the Patch editor, who is highlighting the SCTV TV shows.
New Business:
Nan Shultz and Angela Campetti have been searching to find what stores and places sell local Simsbury souvenirs. They found that Fitzgerald’s along with RavenWood, Heublein Tower, Horan’s Flowers, Tulmeadow Farm sell local items. Joyce is in discussion with Fitzgerald's helping them find more local items to sell.
Simsbury Main Street & the 1820 house are working on doing a travel log poster contest November 7th thru Dec 13th.
Jacob Bittens will be filming in Simsbury for his BYU 4th year senior thesis, Simsbury will be "standing in" for Hell.
Steve Mitchell updated the group about the Bystate Trail Summit being held Sunday October 26th. And the continuance of the Eastcoast Greenway. The continuance of this trail would potentially bring more business and tourists to the town of Simsbury if the project was completed. Angela Campetti raised a question of the cost to which Steve replied that it would be close to $1million /mile. This project is 80% federally and 20% state and locally funded.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by A. Campetti.