HomeMy WebLinkAboutVisitor Services and Information Advisory Committee Minutes December 9, 2010_201402041407574571Minutes of Visitor Services Advisory Committee
Wednesday, December 9, 2010
Land Bank Conference Room
In attendance: Kate Hamilton, Director, David Sharpe, Office Administrator,
Gene Mahon, Chairman, Diane Reis-Flaherty and Louise Swift
David Larivee was in attendance
Gene called the meeting to order at 3:10pm.
The first item on the agenda was the monthly update. David read the figures for
the month of November.
Charles Balas arrived at 3:14pm.
The Travel and Lodging brochure was the next item on the agenda. Kate showed
the committee the final version if the 2011 T&L brochure. Kate reported that 40,000 were
printed and the booklet is now 32 pages instead of 40. $2,875 was collected from
businesses in order to be in this year’s booklet. The prices ranged from $25 individual
listings to $250 for the ferry schedules to $500 for the NAREB real estate group.
The 4th item on the agenda was the SEED-Social Media Seminar on December 8.
Kate reported that it was very well attended. One of the possible ideas to come out of the
meeting was that Kate would like to write a Blog (Web Log).
Kate then showed the committee the Fireworks T-Shirts. She reported that 500
were printed in two colors, white and light blue; 250 in each color. Kate also showed the
poster that included her dog Bailey looking at both color shirts.
The Fireworks Fundraising Plan was the next item on the agenda. Gene reported
to the committee that the Chamber of Commerce had sent a letter to all Chamber member
businesses. The plan is to have the members forward the letter to their list of contacts. It
is also hoped that the letter will be sent to the island non-profits and real estate offices. In
short, a “Viral” appeal. $2,300 had been donated in the first week. Gene added that
checks and credit cards will not be deposited until mid January if enough money had
been raised. January 12 is the deadline.
Charles asked if there could be a check box on the form in case that any extra
money could be carried over to next year. Charles also suggested that the hospital send
the letter using their large contact list.
Gene noted that in a recent meeting, anyone making a large donation such as
$10,000, $5,000 or $2,500 would get bonus perks including parking at the beach, free
page in the T&L or Chamber guides in 2012 and free Fireworks T-Shirts. Gene added
that he will send out an appeal in the Mahon About Town newsletter.
David Larivee told the committee he was very impressed with the fireworks
fundraising effort.
The next fireworks committee update to the Board of Selectmen is Wednesday,
December 22.
The last item on the agenda was New Business. Kate reported to the committee
about Christmas Stroll. It was well attended and that lodging was sold out Friday and
Saturday. There was a Flash Mob occurrence on Saturday at 11:00am on Main Street in
front of the Pacific Bank. This had been planned for weeks. The Flash Mob danced to
Christmas Music. There are now multiple videos of the event on You Tube. The
committee discussed Inquirer and Mirror columnist, David Goodman attacking one of the
sponsors Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston. Goodman equated them with Citibank
which they are not affiliated with.
Kate reported that there was no food tent set up for Stroll Saturday. This had been
a signature of the Nantucket Stroll as other towns do not offer a food tent for their strolls.
It wasn’t until Wednesday that the Chamber decided not to have it. Scott Thomas and
new Chamber director PJ Martin-Smith told Kate. Kate asked David to put together a list
of restaurants offering bay scallops as a lot of people eat that at the food tent. Not having
a food tent had a spillover effect on the nearby restaurants. Charles asked if this situation
could be put on a future agenda.
Kate reported the Visitor Services office will be closed Friday – Sunday of both
Christmas and New Year’s Weekends. There are only 2 restaurants open Christmas Day.
The Committee wished each other Merry Christmas.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:50pm