Tourism Committee Regular Meeting April 20, 2015
SIMSBURY TOURISM COMMITTEE
"Heritage, Charm, Adventure"
Linden House, 731 Hopmeadow Street
Regular Meeting, Monday, April 20, 2015 7:30pm
Meeting was called to order at 7:40pm. Attending were: Dominique Avery, Joyce Howard, Liz Banco, Cathy Barnard, Paulette Clark, Kathy Oakes, Charmaine Seavey, Diane Phillips and Barbara O’Connor.
The group was welcomed by hostess Julia McCabe who gave us news about the future of Linden House. We wish Julia and family all the best in the next phase of their lives.
The minutes from the March 16 meeting were reviewed and approved.
Old Business
A. Simsbury Souvenirs: sources and outlets are being explored.
B. Restaurant List: list is being revised for website.
C. Brochure Inventory/Hopmeadow Walk Brochure: eventually all brochures produced by the Tourism Committee will reflect the new branding being developed by the Economic Development Committee. In the meantime, the Hopmeadow Walk brochure will be updated and reprinted to meet current needs. There was a spirited discussion of branding issues and coordination.
D. Visitor’s Center/shared hub: no update available this month.
E. Hudson House: Group reviewed some of the ideas presented by residents at the March hearing. Town is still collecting ideas.
F. Town website/EDC Task Force/Tourism website: work is continuing on these projects.
New Business and Upcoming Events
A. Performing Arts Center April 23 Kick-off event and 2015 Summer Schedule: Cathy Barnard reviewed what was going on, and has tickets available for those who would like to attend the fundraiser at Hopmeadow Country Club for $40 per person.
B. Innovators’ Fair, April 25: Dominique reviewed some of the varied activities that will be going on at different sites in town from10am-4pm.
C. Triathlon, May 17: Tourism will have a table. Volunteers are needed to staff it.
D. May Bike Month: calendar of activities is available.
E. New Main Street Promotions: Destination packages are being put together that include hotel rooms and activities including biking, hiking, visiting the farms and wine. A group of Cessna owners will be flying into Simsbury Airport for their annual convention July 12-19. Kathy will be there and will make sure brochures and information are available to the visitors.
F. The committee regretfully accepted Angela Campetti’s resignation from the group. Search for a new member is ongoing.
G. Request for help for Millwright’s Restaurant: The management team at Millwright’s is currently trying to promote the historic nature of their building and the beautiful waterfall view. The committee discussed appropriate ways to help promote them as well as other restaurants in town, especially those in historic buildings.
H. Simsbury Open Studios, May 2-3: Many of our resident artists are once again opening their studios to the public.
Quick Updates
Dominique wrote a letter of support for the Historical Society for a grant application.
Farmers’ Market resumes June 18.
The Tag Sale fundraiser for Simsbury Celebrates is being moved to the fall this year.
The Friends of the Fountain Bash fundraiser will take place at Abigail’s. Tickets will be $100 with a limited number for sale.
The next regular meeting will be held Monday, May 18, at 6:30 pm. (Note time change.) The meeting will be in the Simsbury Public Library Barnes Conference Room, 725 Hopmeadow Street. It will be hosted by the Book Fair organizers.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Barbara O’Connor