Tourism Committee Regular Meeting Minutes - January 28, 2014 - DRAFT

SIMSBURY TOURISM COMMITTEE
“Heritage, Charm, Adventure”
South Conference Room, Eno Hall

                                Rescheduled Meeting, Tuesday, January 28, 2014    7:30 pm

In attendance were: Dominique Avery, Cathy Barnard, Pat Carbone, Paulette Clark, Angela Campetti, Laurie Matczak, Kathy Oakes, Charmaine Seavey, Barbara O’Connor and Sean Askham

1. Called to Order at 7:37 PM

2. Approval of minutes of December 16, 2013

Old Business

A. & B Membership Issues:  Dominique welcomed the two new members   appointed by the town political parties Cathy Barnard and Sara Ann Schultz, reviewed her January statement to the Board of Selectmen on the membership of the committee and Committee liaison Sean Askham reported that the Selectmen formally appointed as new members Charmaine Seavy and Diane Phillips who have been already attending and also reappointed Steve Mitchell.

C. Simsbury Celebrates Recap:  Paulette reported that the organization recap meeting will be held in February, she will report at the next meeting. Dominique reported on the date of the Triathlon May 18 and Sean said registration was going well.
D. Under Misc. Updates: There was discussion about the future of a stand-alone Tourism Website and the need for committee members to lobby for this.
E.Facebook posts were discussed. It was agreed that we would try to begin to distribute Facebook announcements among the members with Laurie posting on Tariffville issues, Angela on Patch: Cathy – Performing Arts, Dominique- Historical Society, Bridge and Free Library. Issue needs further refining.
F. Laurie discussed plans for Kayak events at the gorge this summer and there was general discussion about the need for bus transportation. Right now shuttle buses only come from East Granby which doesn’t help Simsbury businesses who might benefit from out of town visitors.
G. Dominique said that Joyce has written an excellent detailed description of what we have in the way of brochures and where they go. She will email it to anyone who is interested and reminded us to keep our eyes open for missing brochures for the next few months when Diane who normally handles the restocking is away.

New Business

A.  In Barbara’s absence, Dominique reported that the Tourism phone yielded results last month when a call came from out of town asking for 5 copies of our coloring books which she then mailed.

B.   Dominique reported on a joint Main Street, Town and Tourism Committee effort to celebrate Valentine’s Day and simultaneously promote Simsbury as a wedding destination with a promotion giving couples (up to 50) who come for a license on Valentine’s Day free marriage licenses and enter them in a drawing for a night at the Simsbury Inn, flowers from Horan’s and free make-up session.

C &D. Dominique reported on Economic Development Comm. meeting and chair Mark Deming’s remarks that he hopes to work more closely with the commission. A discussion followed on whether the Tourism Committee’s budget should be under the town or under EDC. Sean Askham said we did not have much time because budgets are being drawn up this week. It was agreed that Dominique would talk with Hiram Peck and Mark Deming about the budget ASAP. Discussion centered on the efforts that we want to support including a stand-alone website and a video summing up the town’s assets as marketing consultant Peter Fairweather has recommended.  Charmaine Seavy volunteered to get estimates for video cost and call Dominique.

E. Dominique reported on an idea being floated that we should support a joint effort between the bike people and the Bridge of Flowers Committee to locate some old bikes  and bedeck them with flowers around the bridge and elsewhere for May which is Bike Month.

F.  Dominique reported a committee that has been formed at the town library focusing on the notion of innovation and Simsbury. She reported that the Tourism

Committee might have a role to play under one of its possible subcommittees. More information should be available as their process continues.

Other Business

Phone schedule – Charmaine will take February and March.
After a short discussion it was agreed that we would not do the volunteer fair this year, but there was support for continuing our role and doing it next year.
Brainstorming ideas for future town-wide events was postponed for the next meeting.  Come with ideas.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55

Respectfully submitted by Pat Carbone