TOURISM COMMITTEE – Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2008
2:00 p.m., Commissioners’ Board Room –
The
Tourism Committee of the Comprehensive Plan met on April 15, 2008. Those in
attendance included: Ron Aldom, Chamber of Commerce; Kerri Burtner, CP
Coordinator; Charlie Fox, Somerset Historical Center; Brett Hollern, Somerset
County/G.A.P.; Mark Ickes, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau; Michael Knecht,
Laurel Arts; Teresa Marafino, Green Gables/Mountain Playhouse; Jim Marker,
County Commissioner; Lee Newell, Italian Oven; John Vatavuk, County
Commissioner; Jim Welch, Summer’s Best Two Weeks; Brad Zearfoss, Planning
Commission.
1. Tourism
DVD – Ron Aldom showed
the new Tourism/Quality of Life DVD. He said that there will be
questions/curriculum at the end of the version used for training for
hospitality/tourism employees. The DVD will soon be ready to roll out to the
public.
2. Billboard
on Turnpike – The
Chamber was recently offered the use of a billboard for $100/month along the PA
Turnpike east bound lane at the 107 mile marker. Ron is forming a sub-committee
of the Chamber Tourism committee to develop rules and regulations for it’s use
and to establish some seasonal themes for the billboard. Mark Ickes offered the
assistance of Kristen Eckerd, LHVB Marketing director. If any committee members
are interested in serving on this sub-committee, they should contact Ron Aldom.
3. Tourism
Loan Program – This
program is administered by the SCEDC and makes loans below bank loan rates. A
brochure outlining the program is sent to all applicants for a hotel tax grant
but there is interest in expanding the marketing of this program. This
committee will work to gather and implement ideas and strategies for getting
the word out on this program.
4.
Education – Discussion once again turned to local
culinary and tourism training programs. ACM-Bedford currently offers the
culinary classes. How did they convince that campus to offer those? It was also
mentioned that Fayette County recently allocated 25% of their hotel tax towards
bringing PSU hospitality training to Uniontown.
5.
Sign Trust – Teresa Marafino provided prototypes
for signs that were developed ten years ago by the Sign Trust. There is not a
fee structure in place for such signs but there is a prototype. There are
provisions in the guidelines for municipalities.
6.
Somerset Historical Center – Charlie Fox said they are developing
an interpretive plan and are currently deciding how, where, and what to talk
about. They will also be adding at 1920s farm to the grounds which will allow a
visit to a working farm as part of the visitors’ experience. He also told us
that the Museum Commission had budget cuts again this year and will be
conducting a sustainability study in early summer 2008.
7.
Laurel Highlands Initiatives – Mark Ickes shared that there will be
an update by the PA Environmental Council on May 12 at 10:30 in the RTC. They
will be discussing Landscaping Initiatives.
8.
Trailtowns – The Rockwood access improvements will
cost $330,000 and needs a 50% match to complete. There are plans being
developed to raise the money.
9.
Upcoming Meetings: all meetings will be held at 2:00 p.m. in
the RTC on the 1st Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise noted.
a.
June
3
b.
July
1
c.
August
5
d.
September
2
e.
October
7
f.
November
4* (please note – we will meet at another location, TBD)
g.
December
2