Shropshire Hills Tourism Committee meeting
20 September 2016
Present - Paul Davis (PD) chair, Cynthia Prior (CP), David Palliser (DP), Catherine Evans (CE), Bob Welch (BW), Jack Limond (JL), Kay Dartnell (KD), Nigel McDonald (NM) minutes
Apologies – Lee Chapman (LC), Caroline Magnus (CM), Louise Welsby (LW)
Venue - Shropshire Hills AONB Office
Time 2:00pm
Directors – Paul Davis (Chair), Lee Chapman (Treasurer), David Palliser
- Minutes of last meeting
These were agreed
- Matters arising
SHT Bank Account, PD reported that this matter was still outstanding
Membership spreadsheet – PD agreed to circulate a Dropbox link
Action PD
Members visit to Shrewsbury – a combined visit to the Museum, Sabrina Boat and Town walk was proposed for 19th/20th October. SHT to cover the cost of the boat trip and refreshments
PD to send out Event Brite booking details
Action PD
Membership letters – PD reported that these had been sent out as planned explaining renewal due in October
Closing Shropshire Hills Tourism as a separate company – PD and JL agreed to discuss this with LC
Action PD & JL
- Chairman’s report
Promotion - PD reported that he had produced tourism posters for the Ludlow Food Festival (LFF). In addition he’d had business cards printed for use by the Board Members.
New members – PD reported that there were 7 new members. Current membership has stayed at about 184 since September last year.
NM suggested SHT try to target the food and drink and accommodation businesses along the A49 between Ludlow and Shrewsbury
Destination Partnership – PD reported that he had attended the September DP meeting where the stage 2 bid for EU tourism cooperation project was discussed. The stage 2 bid is being led by Tim King and Joe Budd of Shropshire Council Visitor Economy Team. Tim, who was at the DP meeting had stated that it would be developed and delivered working closely with the Destination Partnership. A brief has been sent out to Tourism Marketing contractors. The deadline to respond to the brief is 23rd September.
e-Marketing – Following a lengthy discussion: It was agreed that members should circulate ideas for activities, craft workshop and courses ‘landing pages’. These would ideally be written by the businesses/groups holding the events. They are intended to make to link between promotion and sales through creating contact and links to booking pages.
Visit England – has contacted PD to book accommodation for Christopher Somerville, a Times travel writer. PD reported that the new member from Chapel Lawn had volunteered to provide free accommodation.
Social Media workshop – PD reported that Louise Welsby (LW) had volunteered to run a social media marketing workshop for SHT members. JL offered the White Horse as avenue. PD to circulate dates and details (Now confirmed as 1st November at 11am)
Action JL & PD
- Treasurer’s Report
PD reported (on behalf of LC) that the bank currently holds £3,572 in the deposit account and £2,548 in the current account
PD is expecting to allocate £800 for marketing costs in the new financial year.
Invoicing – JL agreed to send out invoices for membership through his Quick Books account, but that members should be encouraged to pay be BACS. Membership renewal letters will be sent out in October.
- Domain names held by SHT
PD circulated a list of domain names held by SHT. It was agreed that all currently held domains should be retained for another year for the cost of £76. Jack agreed that he would consolidate payment with one provider.
Action PD
- Photo Competition
PD reported that he had received 50 entries for the photo comp. CP reported on the prizes that she had gathered from members (and others). It was agreed that the group should push promotion once again to get last minute entries.
- Any other business
The Shropshire Way – Kay Dartnell reported that she has had guests who have reported issues with the Shropshire Way. NM recommended raising them with Helen D’Albert or Clare Fildes in Outdoor Partnerships (OP). NM also reported that the Ramblers Assoc had asked OP to review the route with the purpose of promoting one central route. As a result OP plans to waymark the central route I October with distinctive waymarks to differentiate between the main routes and its other options.
BW reported that the Church Stretton Business Forum has been set for 13th October at 6pm. PD agreed to circulate details to members. The focus of the meeting will be tourism marketing.
Action PD
BW also mentioned the Channel 4 ‘Walking through time’ documentary featuring local geologist Peter Toghill talking about the Stretton Hills (1st October Ch4 8pm). He is anticipating an increase in web hits during and immediately after the programme.
- Next meetings
21 November 2pm and 31st January 2pm, at Shropshire Hills AONB Offices Craven Arms
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