HomeMy WebLinkAboutVisitor Services and Information Advisory Committee Minutes June 10, 2009_201402041407596290
Minutes of Visitor Services Advisory Committee
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Land Bank Conference Room
In attendance: Kate Hamilton, Director, David Sharpe, Office Administrator,
Charles Balas, Vice Chairman, James Blunt, Louise Swift, Diane Reis-Flaherty and
Linda Williams.
Charles called the meeting to order at 3:15pm. He asked for a motion to waive to
reading of last month’s minutes. James Blunt seconded the motion and the motion was
approved by the entire committee.
David read the statistics. He noted that the Travel and Lodging brochure requests
are up. Kate explained that because the Chamber’s guide book did not come out in
February, people are looking for something comparable. Kate added that the Wine
Festival was slow and overpriced in this market.
The Budget was the next item on the agenda. Kate reported that it is in good
shape for the end of the fiscal year. She is worried about the room tax for FY11. Linda
asked if Massachusetts Office or Travel and Tourism (MOTT) has any influence on the
room tax. Kate said no, but the Town (Town Meeting) is the only to vote for an increase
as well as vote for implantation of a rental tax. Linda noted that the State is considering
increasing the sales tax from 5% to 6.25%. The Town could ad a 1% sales tax that could
help locally. Charles suggested that State Rep, Tim Madden should be asked about it.
The fourth item on the agenda was T&L Update and Deliveries. Kate reported
that with David and Kevin doing the deliveries the office can get reports of where they
were delivered very easily. Also, the office is saving $3,000 in delivery charges.
Fireworks was the next item on the agenda. Kate reported that everything is okay.
Even though the weather is cold and rainy now, it will improve by then. Kate also noted
that contract will be up for renewal next year. Charles asked that if next years’ room tax
is 20-30% below, will that affect the fireworks? If so, should we fundraise and maybe
concentrate on Cliff residents? Kate noted that it is too late to try fundraising for this
year’s fireworks and that there is enough time to start working on next year. Diane asked
if Fundraising can be put on the next agenda.
Gene Mahon arrived at 3:35pm. Kate asked Gene about the Chamber meeting that
he recently attended. She asked him about the guidebook delay. Gene reported that the
Chamber vowed that it would never happen again. They will compensate the advertisers
and that they will move the production schedule up to January.
Kate also asked Gene about Restaurant Week. Gene reported that the Chamber
was in general happy with the results, but added that it was mostly the locals attending.
He also reported that there needs to be a hard deadline of getting final menus 2 weeks
prior. Kate offered to help promote it, but would need free reign in order to be effective.
The N.H.A. was the sixth item on the agenda. Kate reported that she has been
asked to go to a meeting with the NHA and other historical groups about “Wayfinding.”
Wayfinding means finding before you get here and then getting to there when here.
The next item on the agenda was the Greenhound building. Kate reported that the
building is now open and that David is there, but the phones and computers have not been
hooked up yet. The bathrooms are being built and will open in a few weeks.
The Airport Update/ Training was the eighth item on the agenda. Kate reported
that she won’t have someone from Visitor Services there but will be training the Airport
Ambassadors. She will check with them from time to time to make sure that they are up
to date. Kate also reported that she asked the airport administration to update the airport
website, signage, install a phone at the desk and have them provide a airport map to hand
out.. Kate noted that she will be training them next week at Greenhound and the main
office.
Staffing was the next item. Kate reported that she will have a great staff. The
issue is that she can only hire a person for 15 weeks at a time now. The Town wants to
avoid paying unemployment insurance.
The tenth item on the agenda was the New York Times. Kate reported that there
was an article on Nantucket in the June 1, Sunday paper. It was very positive compared to
a similar, but negative article in the Boston Globe the next week. The Globe claimed that
Nantucket was not a good place for families and it was too expensive. Kate added that
NYT reported called and spoke with Kate when he was researching the article. Kate
added that Nantucket will always be printable.
Gene adjourned the meeting at 4:17pm