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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVisitor Services and Information Advisory Committee Minutes June 15, 2010_201402041407598009Minutes of Visitor Services Advisory Committee Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Land Bank Conference Room In attendance: Kate Hamilton, Director, David Sharpe, Office Administrator, Gene Mahon, Chairman, Charles Balas, James Blunt, Diane Reis-Flaherty and Louise Swift. Gene called the meeting to order at 2:07pm The first item on the agenda was the Update. David read the statistics. He noted that the figures are down for much of May, however, Memorial Weekend and into early June, the numbers have risen. The Budget-Rooms Tax was the second item on the agenda. Kate reported that she is still waiting for the final figures for the 4th quarter ending May 31. The next item on the agenda is Memorial Day weekend. Kate reported that it was a good weekend and it appeared to be a great kickoff to the 2010 season. Louise Swift noted that she was surprised by the numbers of people coming off the boat on the Sunday of Memorial Weekend. The fourth item on the agenda was Restaurant Week. Kate noted that people seemed to be confused by it at the beginning. By the end of the week, more people grasped the significance and enjoyed the discounts. James Blunt noted that the website is hard to navigate. Kate added that Restaurant Week is not marketed properly. There needs to be one price. Diane Reis-Flaherty reported that people didn’t like it because of the limited menus. Many of her off-island customers did not go this year. Gene Mahon reported that the restaurants were happy. However, only the locals were going. Kate further added that Cape Cod should be the target market. Gene felt that rather than have a set price, there should be a 20% discount or similar. Fireworks-Tee Shirts was the fifth item on the agenda. Kate reported that she has been working with Park and Recreation Director Jimmy Manchester and getting all the press information inclusively out regarding the Fourth of July weekend. The Main Street activities will be held on Saturday as that has been traditionally the case when the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday. The Fireworks will be on Sunday. Bay Fireworks was awarded the bid. The T Shirts are selling well and they are being sold at the Farmers Market on Saturday mornings until July 3. The next item on the agenda was the Bathrooms in ‘Sconset. Kate reported that the renovation looks good. They were recently completed. Louise added that she has seen them and they look nice. Island-wide Tourism Campaign-Fall was the 7th item on the agenda. Kate reported that she will be working on that in the fall, but in the meantime, Nantucket Island Resorts have done their own campaign for the summer. The 8th item on the agenda was Hospitality Vans – Millie’s. Kate reported that the Town has changed the signs in front of the office to read “Courtesy van parking only.” The vans must be free. The Town wanted to do a 60 day trial period. Millie’s restaurant in Madaket is interested in running a jitney van from the office. Kate added that Millie’s is having a Monday night opening party. A Washington, D.C. group including Luke Russert is now operating the restaurant. They have 6 restaurants in the Washington area. Three have Nantucket names The next item on the agenda is SEED and NP&EDC meeting. Kate reported that she helped the Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission to set up the seminar on June 10, hosted by the South Eastern Economic Development Corporation for local businesses at Bartlett Farm. Kate and David attended the meeting. New Business – Seafest was the last item on the agenda. Kate reported that she is on a committee headed by Jeanne Grimmer. The committee is planning a local celebration sometime in September. Much of the Seafest will be water oriented including food and water based activities. Kate also reported that the Sea Dog exhibits at the Coffin School and the Shipwreck Museums are going well. Charles asked Kate how the staff is. Kate noted that we will be short staffed this year. We don’t have a third year round person since Kevin’s departure because of the hiring freeze but otherwise they are doing well. She also added that when the staff answers the phone they also give their names. That way if anyone calls back with more questions, they can refer to that person. It was agreed that the Committee will not meet in July. The meeting was adjourned at 2:45pm.