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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVisitor Services and Information Advisory Committee Minutes May 18, 2010_201402041408013321Minutes of Visitor Services Advisory Committee Tuesday, May 18, 2010 Land Bank Conference Room In attendance: Kate Hamilton, Director, David Sharpe, Office Administrator, Charles Balas, James Blunt, Diane Reis-Flaherty and Louise Swift. Kate called the meeting to order at 3:06pm It was agreed that the committee would meet on the third Tuesday from May until December. The first item on the agenda was the Update. David read the statistics. All figures were down. Charles thought that business was off over Daffodil Weekend. Diane noted that she had repeat customers and very few new people. Kate reminded that committee that the website for the upcoming Restaurant Week in June has not been updated with menus and other information. She is sending David to the Lodging meeting to ask about that. Kate also noted that the Sunday Boston Globe had a brief article about Madaket beach. The committee felt that there is little or no marketing initiatives coming from the Chamber of Commerce. The Budget and Rooms Tax was next on the agenda. Kate reported that rooms tax collection receipts are down but won’t know the final figures until they come out in June. T-Shirts was the third item on the agenda. Kate showed a shirt to the committee. Charles asked if the NVS staff can wear them in the office. Charles also asked about what happens with the money. Kate noted that she as to go before the Board of Selectmen to report and ask them to accept the money. The next item on the agenda was Twitter. Kate reported that it is set up and so far there are 19 followers. You can see who the followers are. Kate also noted that we can send out updates to remind people of lodging lists, restaurant info, T-Shirts and the fireworks. Bathrooms was next on the agenda. Kate reported that most of the tile and wall work has been done and the windows will be installed this week. She noted that new motion sensitive lighting has been installed outside. A key will be available for Sconset Sam to be able to turn on the water to water the flowers in the pump square. Another item on the agenda was the Island-wide Tourism Campaign. Kate reported that she will talk with James Blunt in the fall. Courtesy Vans were next topic. Kate reported that the Town is changing the Hotel Van Parking Only signs outside the office with signs that read “Courtesy Van Parking Only.” It will encourage pick ups and drop offs by hotel vans and other free shuttles. There is a 10 minute wait time and the vans must police themselves. SEED and NP&EDC June 10 meeting was the ninth item on the agenda. Kate reported that the South East Economic Development conference will be held at Bartlett Farm on June 10. Kate is helping the Planning office with publicity. New Business was the final item on the agenda. Kate reported that Jean Grimmer was asked her to join the Seafest committee. The Seafest will be an event in the fall in hopes of getting the locals to come out and enjoy good food and company after a busy summer. Kate also reported that Information Aide Jane Roche will take over lodging duties and will attend the upcoming Lodging meeting with David. Kate also noted that she has told ReMain Nantucket that the TV commercial about bike safety cannot be done as ReMain wanted PlumTV to film it and Kate wanted it be aired on multiple local networks. She will try again in the fall. Kate reported that NVS will have table at the Farmer’s Market run by Sustainable Nantucket. We will be selling T-Shirts every Saturday until July 4th. Kate also reported that the Sea Dogs Exhibit featuring Bailey the Border Collie will be running at the Coffin School from May 22 to October 11. There is a similar show at the Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum. The committee discussed the recent publicity about the worries of the partying and open drinking during the upcoming Figawi race over Memorial Day weekend. It is hoped that the concerns do not backfire and deter people from coming at all. Kate also reported that the Main Street games that usually occur on the Fourth of July will be on Saturday, July 3rd as the 4th is Sunday and closing Main Street would affect parking for church services. The meeting adjourned at 3:55pm.