TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES BRANTFORD VISITOR & TOURISM CENTRE, TIM HORTONS COMMUNITY ROOM Tuesday April 23, 2013, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.

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1 TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES BRANTFORD VISITOR & TOURISM CENTRE, TIM HORTONS COMMUNITY ROOM Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m 1. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Vic Prendergast, Jack Jackowetz, Councillor John Utley, Russell Press, Bob Wyatt, Dennis Duce, Carol Ann Wilson and Keri Korfmann REGRETS: Beverly Scott, Vern Johannson, Councillor Larry Kings, Liz Dachuk and Eydie Styres STAFF: Susan Sager, Heather McEwen and Kim Petitti 1.1 Chair Comments Jack Jackowetz called the meeting to order at 11:50 a.m. It was noted that quorum was not met for the meeting. It was decided to proceed and the motions from this meeting would be tabled at the May 28, 2013 Tourism Advisory Committee meeting. 2. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT None. 3. DELEGATIONS 4. MINUTES 4.1 Approval of the Tourism Advisory Committee minutes - March 26, 2013 THAT the Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting minutes BE APPROVED. 5. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION 5.1 Brantford, Brant, Six Nations & New Credit Discovery Guide 2013/14 DEFERRED Heather McEwen, Tourism Information Coordinator provided an overview on the 2013/14 Brantford, Brant, Six Nations & New Credit Discovery Guide. The theme

2 for this year s guide is Gardens featuring some of the area s horticultural & parks highlights. Specifications: Full Colour; Digest Size and; 80 pages including the cover. Editorial: Visitor Information, Community Profiles and Festivals, Events & Fairs highlights; Accommodations, Golfing and Camping easy to use grids; Expanded map section; Comprehensive Directory listing; Features including Gardens, dining, Farm Fresh, Sports & Recreation, Arts, Cultures and Heritage, Shopping, Outdoor Adventure, and Family Fun and; QR codes to encourage mobile users to obtain further information on a variety of web sites. She noted that advertising sales, in addition to partner contributions, succeeded in reaching the targeted goals of the 2013/14 Discovery Guide project in order to cover operational, production and distribution costs. The County of Brant Economic Development & Tourism, Six Nations Tourism along with Six Nations key attractions, and the New Credit Sustainable Economic Development Department all contributed in total $16,000 towards the project. There are 100,000 copies of the guide that are produced and distributed door to door, at special events, festivals and community information centre s and throughout the CTM brochure racks at Service Centre s along highways 403 and 401 and border locations. The Discovery Guide is also available online at THAT the staff report presented outlining the Brantford, Brant, Six Nations & New Credit Discovery Guide 2013/14 project BE RECEIVED. DEFERRED 6. CONSENT ITEMS 6.1 Bass Fishing Derby - Councillor John Utley 2

3 No update. 6.2 RV Dump Station Issue - Councillor John Utley Councillor John Utley gave an update and noted that the city has arranged for Paul Barrie to meet with Geoff Rae, General Manager, Public Works Commission to investigate the possibility of installing an RV Dump Station located in Brantford. The Brantford Visitor & Tourism Centre staff will keep track of inquiries and provide a report/tally as required. 6.3 Brantford Arts, Culture & Heritage Walking Tours Update Jack Jackowetz gave an update and noted that there are Tourism division co-op students working on the database adding the sites and businesses for the Arts, Culture and Heritage Walking Tours. He also noted there will be a map available on the city s website with the walking tour area featured. 6.4 Joint City/County Map Projects Update Susan Sager advised that the Tourism division is working with the County of Brant on two map projects; one for Sports/Recreation and the other is for Outdoor Adventure (cycling, paddling and hiking). These are two marketing tools that are much needed for both the City and County. The Sports/Recreation maps will be produced in June 2013 and the goal is to have 35,000 available for distribution. The Outdoor Adventure maps will be ready in July. The information on the maps will also be available on the website. Russell Press noted that the Kathy Ballantyne, Paris & Facilities Division Manager, County of Brant is working on a QR coding program for the County trails in order to encourage trail user feedback and quantify the use of the trail systems. Susan advised that the Paris & Recreation staff for the city is also looking at implementing the same program this year. 6.5 Spring/Summer 2013 Tourism Talks Newsletter Heather McEwen advised that the Tourism Talks Newsletter format has changed in order to incorporate sports and culture highlights. The next issue is targeted for distribution in August and if anyone has any news or articles that they would like to be considered please pass them onto Heather McEwen or Susan Sager. Susan Sager noted that staff will continue to create a hard copy but are also working on developing an electronic newsletter bulletin for distribution this year. 3

4 6.5 Liaison Updates Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts Bob Wyatt noted that the theatre s 2013/14 season launch will be held on June 5, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at the theatre. He also advised the Brantford Canada Day Committee media conference will be held at the Sanderson Centre on May 8, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Advisory Committee (PRW) No update. County of Brant Economic Development & Tourism Russell Press gave an update and noted that the County is implementing their own Special Events Advisory Team (S.E.A.T) for special events that take place in the County based on the City of Brantford s model. It s anticipated that the committee will be created by September He also noted that the County will be establishing a Tourism Advisory Committee and he looks forward to the opportunity to continue to share information and updates with both the city and the new county committee. Russell went on to note that there are six marquee events taking place this year in the County: Maple Syrup Fest took place last week, and future events, are Spring time in Paris, Summerfest, the Paris Fair, the Burford Fair and St. George Apple Fest. Councillors Update No update. Brantford-Brant Chamber of Commerce Dennis Duce noted that the Rotary Classic run takes place on Sunday, April 28 and has continued to be successful with getting corporate sponsors on board this year. He also advised that the Rotary Charity Airshow will be taking place this year on August 28, Hamilton, Halton, Brant Regional Tourism Association Vic Prendergast stated that the association just finished their first fiscal year of operation. The main focus for the organization continues to be signature tourism experience packages for multi stay days and product development work. Vic noted that the Voyage to Paradise consumer package showcasing the Grand 4

5 River is currently being promoted. One of the current major initiatives right is the mini-marketplace showcasing group-friendly attractions and experiences that will be held at the Royal Botanical Gardens on May 2, 2013 for 20 tour operators from Ontario and key US markets (New York & Illinois). Susan noted that Tourism Brantford will be participating in the showcase as well as a FAM tour to be held on Saturday May 4, 2013 that will feature the Bell Homestead NHS, the Sanderson Centre and lunch will be hosted at the Olde School Restaurant for the group of tour operators. Susan also advised that Maria Fortunato, the Executive Director for Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association has been invited to the May Tourism Advisory Committee meeting. Downtown Brantford BIA Keri Korfmann gave an update and noted the BIA has developed new videos on the downtown businesses which are available for viewing on YouTube and Facebook. The new videos will be specialized into separate service sectors, such as restaurants and arts & culture experiences. The BIA has been tweeting and sending the message out to view the videos on Facebook. She noted there is also a Vintage Brantford Competition Website which is asking people to send in their stories and memories of Brantford. Vic Prendergast suggested asking the Brantford Collegiate Institute (BCI) about getting access to the pictures and stories from their 2012 reunion event. Jack Jackowetz also suggested that the BIA approach the Brant Museum and Archives for stories and historical photo archives of downtown Brantford. Brantford Cultural Advisory Committee Update (BCAC) Jack Jackowetz gave an update and noted the Children s Memorial Park grand opening will take place on June 8, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. The Municipal Cultural Plan now has a working group established and there will be a report drafted for Council s consideration in the fall. The Public Art Maintenance Plan has been established to maintain Brantford s monuments and public art. He noted that the City of Brantford has several significant monuments of great acclaim which is remarkable for its population and size. THAT the consent items presented BE RECEIVED. DEFERRED 5

6 7. NOTICES OF MOTION 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 8.1 Tuesday May 28, ADJOURNMENT Vic Prendergast adjourned the meeting at 1:10 p.m. 6