HomeMy WebLinkAboutVisitor Services and Information Advisory Committee Minutes November 10, 2011_201402041408019571Minutes of Visitor Services Advisory Committee
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Land Bank Conference Room
In attendance: Kate Hamilton, Director, David Sharpe, Office Administrator,
Gene Mahon, Chairman, David Larivee and Diane Reis-Flaherty
Absent: Charles Balas, Wendy McRae and Louise Swift.
Gene called the meeting to order at 4:07pm
The first item on the agenda was the Visitor Services Update. David reported the
statistics for October.
David Larivee offered an addendum to the minutes from the October 20 meeting.
This addendum specified that from his information the Park and Recreation line items
placed in the current Visitor Services budget are from a revolver fund. He also added
that the Local Room Tax percentage that is used for NVS (30% 0f 4%) is not entirely
dedicated to NVS according to his sources. In recent years, due to the budget crunch, the Town has used in order to fund other tourism related issues. David Larivee further
explained that from the other information he found that the 15 week rule has been
enforced due to the Obama administrations rules on unemployment. Kate did say she
was also waiting to hear back from Pat Perris who was going to get an official legal
ruling on it.
At 4:19pm, Gene Mahon arrived.
Kate replied that the office has to have extra staff in order to cover the office
effectively when someone has completed their 15 weeks. David Larivee recapped the prior discussion with Gene. Gene had some questions regarding the past by-laws
approved about the room percentage voted on for Visitor Services at Town Meeting.
Kate also reported that Town Manager Libby Gibson has sent a memo to Kate
asking that Visitor Services help with producing the 2012 Park and Rec Summer calendar. Kate would like to meet with Town Administration regarding Park and Rec’s
future and her office’s added responsibilities. Diane Flaherty questioned if there really is
a Park and Rec and asked David Laravee to clarify its responsibilities.
The Budget was the 2nd item on the agenda. Kate reported that in developing the 2013 budget, Town Administration has reduced the line item funding for the Travel and
Lodging brochure, Staffing, Postage and Special Events. Kate will meet with Libby and
Gregg Tivnan on Tuesday, November 15 to discuss the reductions.
The next item on the agenda was the Office Update. Kate reported that at this time
of year, it is only she and David with limited staff on weekends. Kate also reported that the new Chamber of Commerce website has a member section where you can track the
referrals coming from the Chamber. The Front Desk referrals number was abnormally
low. The Chamber is aware of the figure and thinks it maybe a software glitch.
The 4th item on the agenda was the 2012 Travel and Lodging brochure. Kate showed the committee a mock up. David demonstrated the QR code with his smart
phone. The QR code can be posted at the Straight Wharf kiosk. The Christmas Stroll was
the next item on the agenda. David reported that he is on the Chamber Stroll Committee.
They have met once and will be meeting again shortly.
The House Light Contest was next on the agenda. Kate reported that the office
will be promoting a Christmas Light Contest but in a different format this year, Instead of
people signing up their houses in one of three categories, the public will vote this year.
The promotion starts on Friday, November 25 and ends on December 22.
The 7th item on the agenda was Christmas Restaurants. Kate reported that only 2
restaurants will be open Christmas Day; Crosswinds at the Airport and Easy Street
Restaurant.
New Business was the final item on the agenda. Kate reported that she attended a Film Tourism Seminar co-hosted by the Mass. Office of Travel and Tourism and Hy-Line
Cruises at the Hy-Line offices in Hyannis on Monday, October 24. Kate noted that she
met the new MOTT director.
Kate discussed the possibility of doing a Christmas Advent Calendar. There was some question regarding it having a religious theme. If Kate goes forward she will be
approval from Town Administration.
The committee continued discussions on the Park and Recreation status. Dave
Larivee noted that there had been talk of creating a super committee, a combination of both the Visitor Services Advisory Committee and the Park and Recreation Commission.
He has not heard anything further. Diane Flaherty again expressed uncertainty about the
Park and Rec status. David Larivee added that the Town has sub-contracted the
Children’s Beach activities and the Tennis Court operations at Jetties Beach will go out to
bid for 2012.
David Sharpe reminded the committee that the next meeting will be 3pm on
December 8 at the Land Bank.
Gene adjourned the meeting at 5:16pm