PTFF members present: Roger Merchant, Patrick Myers

Also Present: Jody Arno - Abel Blood's/ Penquis Leadership Institute, Susan Jackson - Interface Fabrics/Penquis Leadership Institute, Phil Sauvigano -Maine Office of Tourism, Mark Scarano - PCEDC

The meeting began with a discussion of the Penquis Leadership Institute's (PLI) class project. Attached to these minutes are a draft proposal as well as the Route and Logo as proposed by the PLI.

Jody, Susan and Patrick, all members of this year's PLI class, presented the work done by the PLI thus far in developing an Audio Driving Tour of Piscataquis County titled "Villages of Piscataquis County." The PLI has developed a route and logo for the tour and is in the process of developing the site list for the tour. The site list will include FERMATA sites wherever possible and will include additional cultural and historic sites as well.

The PLI wanted to discuss their project with the PTTF to to discuss the future of the project after the PLI class concludes in May of 2006. It is hoped that the Tourism Development Committee of the PCEDC and the contracted staff will be able to take a role in future maintenance and updating of the final deliverables produced by the PLI.

The PLI also does not want their work to duplicate or conflict with the work being done by other entities such as the PTTF, Maine Highlands Corporation, or others. The PLI hopes that their work can support and jump-start the work of the PTTF in 2006 and be used as a stepping stone towards future efforts.

The final goals and deliverables of the PLI are not set. Because of this, any input from the PTTF would be welcome and would be taken into consideration as the PLI moves forward.

Responses to the PLI work thus included the following:

• The concept is good
• Like the icon
• Linking the villages together is effective
• Could the content be located on-line so that tourists could burn their own CD?
• If tourists burned their own CD they could customize the route
• It would be great if the MDOT could devise a state-wide sign shape that would designate tours of this type. The logo for an individual tour would then go on the sign.
• The PTTF would like a member of the PLI to be a part of the Tourism Development Committee to provide a linkage between the two groups as well as to provide the PLI with the Bigger Picture of how their project can relate to other efforts.
• Showing real progress on concrete projects in 2006 will be essential to the success of the Tourism Development committee.

Roger asked that the PLI also focus on working through the intricacies of issues related to signage. This planning and detail work on the linkages between towns, MDOT, county, Maine Highlands, and others will be very helpful to the work of the PTTF in 2006. Work on signage issues is already being started by the PLI.

Roger will also send to Patrick a copy of an assessment framework used to evaluate sites for inclusion in projects of this type. The assessment was is part of the Montana Community Tourism Handbook.

After the PLI presentation, came discussion on the Transition Plan: PTTF to PCEDC-Tourism Development Task Force (PSQ-TDTF).

The process for creating the Tourism Development Task Force was outlined as follows:

1. The PTTF will present a recommended composition for this group.
2. The PCEDC Executive Committee will review and approve the recommendations.
3. The PCEDC will publish advertisements asking those who are interested in becoming members to submit their name and other information.
4. The PCEDC Executive Committee will form the committee from those names submitted.

Details
The composition of this group should include:

1. Someone from the state level
2. A representative of the Maine Highlands Corp.
3. A representative from County Government
4. The membership should be well balanced in the following areas:
   1. Public/private sectors
   2. Geographic distribution
   3. Gender

1. Succinct Job Description for members
2. Role of the group

Other items of interest

The Governor's Task Force will be meeting on the 5th of January. Donna Fichtner and Matt Polstein will attend. The Task Force is also encouraged to attend the meeting to lend support if not to take part.

Scenic Byway - MDOT is looking at a Scenic Byway designation for the route from Greenville to Jackman - John Noel asked Mark Scarano to set up meetings with the selectmen in Greenville and the Piscataquis County Commissioners to obtain permission to conduct an evaluation to determine eligibility. It would be helpful if someone familiar with Tourism issues (Roger?) could attend these meetings to emphasize the benefits to tourism of a Scenic Byway.

Work is proceeding on the Interpretive/Visitor's Center in Greenville. Partnership options are being explored between NREC, the Town of Greenville, and other parties. It would be helpful to have "buy-in" from the Office of Tourism when the funding discussion reaches the state level.