PTFF members present: Donna Fichtner, Roger Merchant, Patrick Myers, Dennis Lyford

This meeting centered around the "Outline for PTTF Discussion: Draft June 21, 2005" distributed by Roger Merchant.

Discussion started with Item #3: Identify Travel Market Segments Desired for Focus and to Broaden the Visitor Profile.

There needs to be an active tracking system in place for the region. Donna brought an example from the Outdoor Recreation Participation Study from the Outdoor Industry Association.

The actual list of Primary and Ancillary Activities from the outline was reviewed and changed as follows:

• Primary Activities:
  • Boating, motor, canoe, kayak, safe waters
  • Camping, state parks, campgrounds, rustic remote
  • Hunting (declining market)
  • Fishing, fly fishing, women fly fishing
  • Downhill skiing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Cross country skiing, centers, community to community
  • Snowshoeing
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Nature Observation/Wildlife/Environment
  • Agricultural Events/Farm Tours
  • Cultural Activities (Museums, Theaters, Festivals, etc)

• Ancillary Activities
  • Bicycling, touring, back roads biking, mountain biking
  • Hiking, day hiking, family hiking, mountain hiking
  • Bus Tours
  • Windsurfing
  • Golf
  • Nature and Outdoor Photography
  • Nature Artist
  • Antiques

Web-based event listings such as DeepInTheMaineWood.com were discussed. The need to tie in with state-level directories is very important for any local web-sites.

The dialogue then broadened to include the organizational structure necessary to implement the PTTF's blueprint and how that body will coordinate with other organizations and structures already in place. It will take some sort of organized county based entity to move the initiatives forward. That body needs to have as many details as the PTTF can provide. That body will coordinate the other parties involved and act as a catalyst to tourism development. As the blueprint discussion moves forward Patrick will create a grid to determine action items and the players that will be responsible to carry them out.

One action item would be the creation of a four-season trail committee that brings together representatives from the Snowmobile, ATV, Bicycle, Snowshoeing, and X-Country communities.

Talk then turned back to the outline.

Item #1 - Develop a Statement of Tourism Potential.

We are rich in resources - weak in tourism infrastructure/product. Roger will create a draft statement for the next PTTF meeting.

Item #2 - Image

Is there a problem with marketing this area as "The way life used to be" since it might be seen as a negative to businesses thinking of relocating? If marketed properly it is more of an asset than a detriment. We can be seen as a way to go back in time to the 50's & 60's - what life used to be like. Also we have historic and cultural links to H.D. Thorough - are we the "true home" of transcendentalism? A respite for the urban weary? Give yourself a "time out"!

The importance of incorporating Authentic Cultural Experiences into the image of the region was also emphasized. Patrick will bring a draft of this section to the next PTTY meeting.

Item #4: Vision Statement for Tourism Marketing and Development This vision statement should probably come after #2 Image. This section will incorporate tourism marketing and the community. Inclusive with the marketing plan there needs to be a vision of how to get there. Donna will take a stab at this section for the next PTTF meeting.

Item #5: Marketing Strategy The previous statements of Image and Vision will drive the Marketing Strategy. We need to wait for the previous sections to be completed before the Marketing Strategy can be completed.

Both sections #5A & #5B need to be further developed. There needs to be a paragraph on each item to generally state the condition of each item. These are the elements that need to be coordinated and addressed to make the action plan viable.

Where are we with the items of #5B? These are the necessary items that the region is lacking. Where are we with these essentials?

For both A & B - what has been built and is in place in comparison to what doesn't exist, and what is in the planning stage.

Considering the amount of input needed to flush out sections #5A & #5B it was decided to make both these sections into the main focus of the next Advisory Board meeting. This will give time to develop the previous sections as a framework to inform the discussion of section #5.

Patrick will sort through the previous Advisory Board meeting discussion and notes and see what can be fit into the framework of discussion for #5.

The next item of discussion concerned:

Marketing Specific Strategies

Donna will work to complete and flush out this section. Dan Legere will be a good resource for information on the Fly fishing market. There should be a list of easy to implement actions that could improve the tourist markets for small businesses. Examples include:

Writing an article for a target publications
Creating a Artist's Itinerary
Using local writing groups to create articles
Match up local artists with writers to create engaging messages
Create a generic Piscataquis County map that could be used on-line or as tear-off sheets in local businesses to orient visitors.
Regional Docent Training

Members present summarized their responsibilities for the next meeting.

Adjourned 11:55am