MINUTES TEMPLATE COMMITTEE: Visitor Services Advisory Committee Time Meeting called to Order:___8:02am ______ MEETING DATE: __June 11, 2019______ Time Meeting Adjourned: _____9:20am________ MEMBERS PRESENT: Janet Schulte, Director of Culture and Tourism, David Sharpe, Visitor Services Coordinator, Diane Reis-Flaherty, Chairwoman, Gene Mahon, Vice-Chair, Thayer Hale, Mary Malavase, Peter Morrison and Sharon Quigley ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Noah Karburg, Nantucket Memorial Airport REMOTE: None MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen Macumber AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION VOTES / ROLL CALL 1 Approval of Minutes from May 16 The minutes from May were unanimously approved. 6-0 2 A Conversation with Nantucket Memorial Airport Staff Janet welcomed Noah Karburg, the Assistant Manager at the Nantucket Airport. Noah began by saying that there is a perception that the airport is “dead.” He then passed around a report called “A Modern History of ACK” which showed data from 1997 to present day. Most notably, local airlines/ air taxis traffic (Cape Air, Island Air, etc…) has declined from about 200,000 in 2006 to 20,000 passengers over the last 3 years. That volume has been superseded by larger commercial airlines and jets of which jetBlue has become the dominant carrier at Nantucket. There has been an increase of 11-12% in secure passenger arrivals this year over last. Noah added that these commercial airline passengers spend $1,100, including lodging, per day on island. That averages out to $350 million per year. Noah continued by noting that the 1st commercial flight was in 1940 from Nantucket to Providence and the airfare was $12.40. In recent years, airlines have consolidated, there is now a 2 pilot requirement which has caused Cape Air to struggle and forced Island Airlines to go out of business. This year, jetBlue continues to expand adding flights to and from Boston as well as New York’s LaGuardia and White Plains. They are transitioning from older Embraer 190 to new Airbus 220 jets. A new airline, Southern Airways will start flying from Nantucket to small airports in Norwood, MA, Providence, RI and New Haven, CT. American Airlines has added extra Charlotte, NC service a week early. Noah would like to add service to Philadelphia and many from the region have 2nd homes on Nantucket. Noah reported that there are other challenges occurring at Nantucket Memorial Airport. He noted that the 34 year old Taxiway E needs to rebuilt, but the FAA won’t provide any money for it as Nantucket is not considered a major airport. However, for a small airport, there are 35,000 enplanements in July and August. To upgrade and improve overall airport infrastructure Nantucket needs to spend $30-40 million and possibly up to $60 million to accommodate the heavier jets. Noah said the airport needs to advocate for more money as it shouldn’t be overlooked just because its considered seasonal, but also is used by residents year-round. Janet suggested that proposed flights to Philadelphia should be enhanced by data from the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce. Noah added that many Philadelphia residents drive to Newark to fly to Nantucket. 1 Chairwoman Flaherty asked if Cape Air is getting new planes. Noah explained that they are getting new Italian made Technam 1200s but they have been delayed due to the government shutdown during the winter and they won’t arrive until late next year. Cape Air recently purchased Shoreline Aviation ‘s fleet of seaplanes which has service to New York. Seaplane service may be added to Boston as well. The committee also discussed the presence of the Airport Ambassador staff that Visitor Services provides. The desk is staffed 5 days a week during the season and there is printed material at the desk to help travelers find other modes of transportation off island when their flights are cancelled. Electronic signage around the airport can be updated to assist with cancellations. Thayer and the committee asked Noah about the possibility of islander discounts such as commuter books. There are none at this time, but he thinks that Southern Airways may put something together in the future. Noah left at 9:01am. 3 Tour of Lights, December 2019 Janet reported that she and David had a discussion about next season’s Tour of Lights. There will not be a contest. David will create a map which will be available after Christmas Stroll. 4 Directors Report Janet reported that she will be giving away 750 water bottles at the Main Street activities on the morning of Fourth of July. Each bottle with have a QR code that shows locations to fill the water bottles. She is also working with Water Company Director Mark Willett and DPW Director Rob McNeil to find more locations for outdoor water stations. Janet then reported that a David Hostettler stature has replaced the blue man statue at the Sparks Avenue roundabout in accordance with the new outdoor art policy guidelines. David and Janet each gave an overview of the office and Nantucket at the Chamber’s Experience Nantucket workshop at the Dreamland yesterday. Janet showed the committee the Melville 200 brochures. As part of the celebration of Herman Melville’s 200th birthday, there will also be 10 podiums placed around Town in July and August. Each will have a passage from Moby Dick. People can read the passages, then post selfies on Instagram. A winner will be picked each week and will win a gift certificate from either Or, the Whale or Queequeg’s restaurants. The Director reported that 35 businesses participated in Spring Art Week programming. Janet just returned from the Creative Community Conference in Vermont. This will help with shoulder season planning. She also noted that there is a meeting coming up that will focus on a “Visit Widget” which is an electronic app that is intended to assist information centers with quick access to specific info. Janet thanked Diane Reis Flaherty for her 9 years of service on the committee. Diane is not reapplying to the committee. 5 Visitor Services Coordinator Report David reported the statistics for May. He also reviewed Daffodil Weekend stats. There was not much difference from last year. David also reported that the office is now open on Saturdays and will be open 7 days a week starting Memorial Day Weekend. He and Janet have hired 2 new information aides. The Cisco Shuttle Bus is now running daily. David will be interviewed later today on 97.7 WACK fm radio highlighting what the Visitor Services office does. July 4th planning is moving along. There will be a meeting with relevant Town officials on June 3rd to review Main Street activities and the fireworks. Chairwoman Flaherty thanked everyone and will miss them all. Janet noted that Town Manager, Libby Gibson plans to appoint Josh Gray, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Dreamland Theatre to replace Diane. Signature ___________________________ 2.