Tourism Advisory Commission

Park & Recreation Conference Room

November 24, 2015

Members Present: Watty Brooks Hall, Shannon Byers, Tammy Piker, Kelsey Keough, Polly Shipley, Ashley Carver, Nancy Bassett, Tamara Swain, John Duncan (Director of Economic Development), John Stamps (Alderman), Chip Peterson (Director of Parks)

Members Absent: Fran Persechini, Kanette Keough, Missy Marshall, Laura Todd, Tina Parmar, Shannon Izquierdo, Marty Marbry, Sheila Moody (staff).

Meeting was called to order by Watty Brooks Hall at 4:00 PM. The agenda and minutes were provided with the minutes being approved as written.

Member Reports:

Tamara Swain reported that First Tennessee Bank is currently looking at sponsors for next year.

Polly Shipley reported that the real estate market is still doing good. Polly mentioned that the Kiwanis are having a hard time filling their Christmas Angels and if we can help get the word out or would like to help please let her know.

Shannon Byers reported that the real estate inventory is very low and still strong . Shannon gave a brief update on Main Street Collierville’s activities and handed out the Main Street Collierville report in Laura Todd’s absence.

Tammy Piker and Kelsey Keough with the Hampton Inn reported that they are busy booking for 2016 and met with Orgill in assisting them with their corporate bookings. The Hampton Inn is running their family & friends promotion during the holidays .

Nancy Bassett reported that the Bible Museum is handing out bibles in the food pantry’s Thanksgiving Baskets & their Christmas ornaments are for sale. The museum had 1000 visitors for their Egypt Exhibit. They will be focusing on archeology in July.

John Duncan reported the news of Orgill headquarters moving to Collierville & their company could have an operating salary of $35 million by 2022. John reported that there are lots of things in the works that could bring industrial & corporate headquarters to Collierville. There is lots of planning and activity going on at the Houston Levee & Hwy 385 corridors.

Ashley Carver reported on the new parking lot that is going in at the museum, the great attendance with their programs, the field trips that are coming up and the Contemporary Club Home Tour that will be on December 12th.

John Stamps reported on the opening of Hinton Park being a huge success & seeing all the activity that is occurring on the square and in the real estate market is so good for Collierville.

Watty Brooks Hall reported that The Brooks Collection had a good open house and also Girls Night Out will be on November 19th. Activity on the square remains strong.

Tourism Report:

Chip Peterson, Director of Parks, reported that they are busy getting the town ready for local residents, as well as, tourist for the Christmas activities in Collierville. The tree lighting will be on December 1st and the Christmas Parade on December 4th.

New Business:

Watty reported on the Tourism Advisory Commission’s vision statement from September’s TAC meeting. Chip Peterson made a recommendation to the commission that TAC may want to take more time in working on our vision statement rather during the short period of time offered during the board meetings. His experience when working on a vision statement is that it takes a lot of time to develop. This will give the board more time to focus on where the board sees the TAC going, its main purpose and consider all that Collierville has to promote.

The board was in agreement that the TAC’s vision statement be readdressed at the next TAC meeting in 2016.

Watty thanked all the board members for serving on the TAC and the meeting was adjourned at 4:56 PM.

Next Tourism Advisory Commission Meeting to be determined for 2016.