Greg Taylor, manager at Lanier’s Hardware on South Main Street, was appointed to the LTA board of directors. Judy Wimmer, an independent travel agent, was also reappointed for another three-year term. Sherry Piotti, was elected as chair of the board, Wimmer was elected as vice chair and Lexington City Manager Alan Carson was re-elected a secretary/treasurer.
Also during the meeting, Robin Bivens, executive director of the LTA, previewed the agenda for the LTA board retreat on March 12. She said this year the board will be focused on partnerships. Bivens said a representative from the North Carolina Division of Tourism and a representative from the city will speak about working together.
“We are now in the process of planning for our retreat,” Bivens said. “This year the topic is going to be partnerships and the way we work with other agencies.…They (NC Division of Tourism) have a program where they tell bureaus how to work with the division to get a bigger return on their investment. Another thing we will be talking about is the city council and what they talked about in their retreat. We are going to try to piggy-back onto their vision and talk about some of the things they are talking about. It’s all about us working together to make us all stronger.”
Bivens also updated the board on the progress of the wayfinding sign project. She said she is meeting next week with the design firm to get details about manufacturing and installation of the signs. The wayfinding program is an initiative designed to help tourists and other visitors find different businesses and attractions within the area. On Dec. 19 the Lexington Tourism Authority approved awarding a bid of $221,218.77 for its wayfinding project to ACSM, of Charlotte.
“We have a meeting Friday to outline the timeline on what is going to happen when,” Bivens said. “I also have a meeting to go up on the Main Street to talk about position of the signs.… After that it is time to choose the image that goes on the back of the signs and the lettering that goes on the front.”
Bivens also reported that her office is in the planning stages of participating in the Barbecue Capital Cookoff and considering hosting the kickoff luncheon for the event.
In the monthly financial report, occupancy tax for the month of December increased $2,195 compared to December 2013 and the penalties decreased $535. The total year-to-date revenues increased $23,732 compared to fiscal year 2014. Operating expenses decreased $5,149 compared to December 2013.
Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com. Follow Sharon on Twitter: @LexDisptachSM
Leave a Reply