Tourism Committee Regular Meeting Minutes October 21, 2013 - DRAFT

SIMSBURY TOURISM COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES  - October 21, 2013   DRAFT

In attendance:   Dominique Avery, Liz Banco, Angela Campetti, Pat Carbone, Shannon Knall, Steve Mitchell, Kathy Oakes, Barbara O’Connor, Charmaine Seavey and Jan Losee.
Meeting was called to order by Dominique at 7:35pm.  The minutes from the September meeting will be reviewed and approved at the next meeting.
Jan Losee of the Simsbury Inn welcomed the Committee to the Inn.   A discussion followed about the importance of tourism to the current and future success of the hospitality industry in Simsbury.   After a review of current business, the conversation shifted to how the Committee can help.   Of greatest importance would be the promoting of events that involve all audiences:   residents, local visitors and tourists.  The Committee should help in both the development and publicizing of events.   In addition, the Committee will supply the Inn with materials about activities in town.
Old Business
Kathy distributed copies of new Farm brochure.  All agreed it looked wonderful.
A Triathlon is being planned for Simsbury, to be held on May 18, 2014.  The Committee will be informed of progress, and where we can help.
Members will work to alert in-town Realtors about our Facebook page, as we feel it presents the town in an attractive light for potential new residents.  Part of this communication will be press releases on both it and the new Farm brochure, and a possible blog on Patch.  Barbara will work on the releases.
The Center of Connecticut Facebook page presents an opportunity to list events and post photos.  The committee will begin to link posts from our page to theirs, as well as that of the State Tourism group.
Some new brochures are being produced by Main Street to be given to realtors, highlighting things like the Simsbury schools.
Phone answering assignments:    October-Laurie, November- Joyce, December-Barbara
New Business
The Committee learned from the Town Clerk’s Office that Simsbury hosts hundreds of weddings a year, at sites ranging from churches and banquet halls to the Flower Bridge and Tariffville gazebo.  This may be something we want to post on our Facebook page.  In addition, Steve is producing a show on SCTV about weddings in Simsbury.
The Committee discussed the Town’s Volunteer Initiative and the marketing proposals being presented to the Town.
Membership procedure for new members was reviewed.  At the next meeting we will be discussing the leadership transition as Liz leaves her role as co-chair of the group and Dominique assumes it.
The next meeting will be held at Sew Inspired in Fiddler’s Green on November 18 at 7:30pm
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara O’Connor