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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVisitor Services and Information Advisory Committee Minutes January 22, 2009_201402041407588321 Minutes of Visitor Services Advisory Committee Thursday, January 22, 2009 Land Bank Conference Room In attendance: Kate Hamilton, Director, David Sharpe, Office Administrator, Kevin Dugan, Assistant Administrator, James Blunt, Diane Reis-Flaherty, Gene Mahon, David Place, Louise Swift, and Linda Williams. Gene called the meeting to order at 3:00pm and made a motion to waive the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and the motion was carried. Kate began the meeting by calling on Kevin to give the lodging update. Kevin began by stating that there has been a steady volume of calls with people seeking information regarding this coming summer. He further stated that a high percentage of the calls were from people inquiring about family accommodations and many were from people in the New England area. James noted that as of today’s meeting date his guest house had already exceeded all of his November business with nine days still remaining in the month. Kate then called upon David to give the monthly restaurant update. David reported that he continues to publish the weekly restaurant list which is sought out by many here on the island and has become increasingly popular. David also stated that he has sent out requests for information regarding Valentine’s Day specials that the area restaurants may be having. Kate noted that the Chamber of Commerce gave great “kudo’s” to David for the excellent restaurant list and what a help that it has been to them. Kate also stated that as of now at least three new restaurants will be opening for the upcoming season. Kate discussed the budget and explained that we are doing everything possible to cut expenses by 5%. She also noted that we are looking at every single area to try to trim expenses including the elimination of the services of a vendor who had formerly stored and delivered the Travel & Lodging guide. NVS has secured a storage area and David and Kevin will be doing the actual delivery. At this time Kate gave the bathroom update and stated that the bid specifications were being drawn up and that when they were completed requests for bids will be sent out. Kate then brought up the Walk Inn and Win promotion that was held during Christmas Stroll. The committee reviewed David’s charts showing where people had travelled from to attend Stroll. She noted that Kevin has been in the process of securing the names and e-mail addresses of newspapers in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Once completed we will be sending out press releases showing the cover of the 2009 T&L as well as information regarding contacting NVS and how we can help those interested in visiting Nantucket. Diane asked Gene if the Chamber of Commerce had pursued any outreach form of marketing to the Cape in an attempt to bring over any of their residents to Nantucket in the off-season. Gene stated that it has been discussed within the Chamber and it has been a slow process. Kevin suggested that possibly the Nantucket Lodging Association could do some on-Cape marketing with off season specials. Kate stated that the only ones who have done an extensive job of marketing have been the Wauwinet, White Elephant and Jared Coffin House (NIR). Kate also stated that she feels that Nantucket can cater to a wide and varied audience of visitors, not just the high end ones and we need to get that message out. Kate then gave an update on Greenhound. She said it appears that the bathrooms will be installed at the Greenhound building and that it is likely that NVS will have a presence there this for this upcoming season. She is still in negotiations with their people at this time. She also mentioned that the NVS telephone number is the predominant one on the NRTA schedule/ brochure and that people with questions comments, concerns and lost articles end up contacting NVS. It was discussed that we need to have NRTA responsible for dealing with their customers concerns. Gene suggested that at the very least the NRTA number should be shown as the predominant contact. David Place then asked if there had been any further discussions with the airport regarding NVS. Linda Williams said she has spoken with Al Peterson regarding setting up a meeting. Kate asked Linda to set up and confirm a meeting between all parties and also suggested that a member of the committee attend as well. Linda will ask Al to allow us to be placed on a future agenda and will report back to Kate as to the outcome. If necessary Gene said he would also send out a letter to the Airport Commission regarding agenda placement. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:30pm.