Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. Board of
Directors Meeting
March 20, 2008 @ Blackstone Valley Tourism Headquarters
1. Roll Call
Attendees:
Dave Balfour, Chair
Richard Murphy, Member
Len Clingham, Member
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie, Secretary
Louise Boulanger, Vice Chair
Dave Richards, Member
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
Absent:
Louis Yip, Member
Paul Eno, Member
Robert Cahill, Member
Jackie Boudreau, Treasurer
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Dave DePetrillo, Member
John Lefrancois, Member
Helen Moroney, Member
2. Minutes
On a MOTION by Louise Boulanger, seconded by Sue-Tessier-Mackenzie,
the minutes of the January 11, 2008 meeting were approved as
amended. (Copies attached and made a part of these minutes)
3. Treasurer’s Report
The Profit and Loss Statement dated
March 03, 2008 was presented. Mr. Richards asked what the
difference in percentage of profit and loss. Mr. Richards
asked Billington if we noticed any issues with the
statement. Billington noted that the RIHPC was slow in
payment of an invoice from the Preserve America program,
which caused severe cash flow issues for the Council.
The IRS for late filing of their taxes
in 2006 fined the Council. Billington and Carter circulated
a letter to the IRS regarding the penalty for the tax
filings that cost the Council $2854.67. The letter seeks a
return of these funds. The Board requested that the
President contact legal counsel to discuss the late filing
of the taxes to determine if the accountant that did the
filing has financial liability in this situation. The Board
felt that the Accountant should reimburse the funds to the
Tourism Council.
On a MOTION by Mr. Richards and seconded
by Ms. Mackenzie the Treasurer’s Report was accepted as
submitted. Motion passed unanimously. (Copy of the Report is
attached.
Mr. Richard’s complained that
Woonsocket’s Autumnfest was not listed in the State Visitor
Guide. He is concerned about this omission and requested a
report.Billington will inquire about this omission. (The RI
Tourism Division was contacted and they are searching for an
answer and will promote Autumnfest in the Fall Guide in a
substantial way to make amends. The Website will be updated
immediately)
4. President’s Report and Old Business
Mr. Billington updated the Board on the
following:
a. The Tourism for Tomorrow Award for
2008. The Blackstone has risen as a top three contender for
the Sustainable Destination Award from the World Travel and
Tourism Council. Billington noted that the WTTC sent 12
teams of auditors from around the world and Costas Christ,
the chairman of the awards criteria visited the Blackstone
Valley. Billington has been invited to attend the Global
Tourism Summit in Dubai in April. Billington will be
attending because the Blackstone Valley will be on the world
stage in front of over 100 international media outlets.
b. Roger Begin has agreed to work with
the Tourism Council to help us manage the Water Cruises
debt. He is setting us several meetings with creditors to
discuss the same. One meeting with Navigant Credit Union has
already been held and was very positive.
c. The Pawtucket River Bridge Design
Project was discussed.
d. The Broad St Regeneration Project was
discussed.
e. Billington informed the Board that at
their former request the location for the 23rd Annual Dinner
will be changed. The staff found Twin River to be very
supportive of the Annual Dinner and have worked closely with
Twin River to make it work within the budget allocated for
the Dinner.
f. Billington asked for the Board’s
support to nominate the Sullivan Family and Collette
Vacations as the Life Time Award Designee for 2008. The
Board voted to Approve Unanimously.
g. The October Civic Tourism II
Conference was discussed.
h. Billington noted regional news in the
Providence Business News regarding our Green Guide and
national news for the Valley in Northeaster Group Tour
Magazine, River management Society News and international
news on Travel Mole, The Global Travel and Tourism Summit
brochure that featured the Samuel Slater and the BBC.
i. Billington noted he would be working
in Cedar Rapids Iowa on May 5th on Sustainable Tourism
Laboratory work. The Cedar Rapids CVB is hiring the Lab to
talk about riverfront development in their city.
j. Billington advised the Board that
Tourism Cares just issued a check to support the Civic
Tourism II Conference through Collette Vacations.
k. Billington asked the Board to support
the nomination of Autocrat Coffee and Syrup as the 2008
Blackstone Valley Governor’s Award nominee. The Board voted
to Approve Unanimously. The State Tourism Division is
hosting the Annual Tourism Luncheon where Autocrat will be
recognized for their work with the Tourism Council and the
maker of Rhode Island’s official state drink.
l. Billington noted that a cooperative
intern from JWU who is on leave from the Napal Tourism Board
would be working with us this summer.
m. Billington asked the Board to support his and Chairman
Balfour’s nomination of Helen Moroney as the William
Blackstone Society’s inductee for 2008. The Board voted to
Approve this Unanimously.
n. Billington reported that Patti
McAlpine said that Citizen’s Bank will again support Free
Sunday’s on the Blackstone Valley Explorer; Navigant Credit
Union is supporting our River Scholarship Program along with
the National Heritage Corridor Commission and Cadillac
Textile Mills.
o. Billington announced that Lily
Kayamba, Group Tour Manager for the Council has not reported
back from her trip to Rwanda. We are concerned and are
seeking help to find her through national organizations. Mr.
Richard suggested the International Red Cross. Billington
also noted Ramon Rodriquez has also been hospitalized. Date
of return to work was unknown.
p. Billington circulate the Room Tax
Revenues for Jan 2008 and an all years report dated March
20, 2008.
q. The flyer for the May 22, 2008
Tourism Laboratory was circulated along with the new BVRI
Bookmark, the Navigant Blackstone Valley Heritage Golf
Tournament flyer for June 16, 2008 and the October 28, 2008
Travel Experiences Group Travel Exposition hosted with
Conway Tours.
r. Billington updated the Board on his
work with the City of Pawtucket to request a signature
bridge for the replacement Pawtucket River Bridge project on
Route I-95. He circulated preliminary designs.
s. Billington notified the Board that he
is still attempting to find a way to better finance the
riverboats and that the grant from Citizen’s Bank will help
in 2008.
5. New Business
Billington noted that Jack Stalen, a
long time Valley supporter has suggested that an endowment
for the Council be initiated. The Board suggested this
concept be discussed at the next meeting.
6. Adjournment
There being no further business before
the board, Mr. Richards Motioned the board to adjourn, a
second was presented by Mrs. Boulanger. The Board adjourned
at
1:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert D. Billington
President
