Blackstone Valley Tourism Network
Minutes
Blackstone Valley
Tourism Network
A Project of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
March 20, 2008
Council Conference Room
175 Main St. Pawtucket, RI 02860
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
Ted Garille, 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