Tourism Advisory Council (TAC)

Purpose:  

The Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau is the destination marketing division of the Chamber promoting the region and its assets to visitors and local residents.  The Tourism Advisory Council assists the MLCVB with growing this destination.  Members of the TAC must be an MLCVB member and work in the hospitality, attraction, amusement, catering/restaurant or tourism services industry.

Vision :  

MLCVB’s strategic plan is to increase its capabilities as the destination marketing organization for the Meadowlands Liberty region by expanding its diverse in-house capabilities for envisioning, developing and implementing programs that connect travelers to its tourism assets through its hotels, attractions/amusements, catering/restaurants and tourism services industries.  MLCVB represents its members and the region as a whole by delivering persuasive messaging and enticing programming to travelers and travel professionals.

Mission:

The MLCVB is a comprehensive destination marketing organization for the metropolitan New Jersey area.  The overarching goal of the organization is to promote business growth within its hotels, attractions, catering/restaurants and tourism services not only within its membership but from outside sources.  The regions unique sports and entertainment, ecological business, unique dining and transportation assets benefit from this strategy and are promoted within the MLCVB programming.

Values:  

Those serving as chairs of a TAC Committee should be a representative on the MRC Board of Directors  or have been an active participant for a minimum of one year.  Each must be able to commit their time to achieve the goals of its individual committee.  Each representative must possess good customer service standards, believe in the potential of the destination and put the visitor experience first.  Each chair or committee member must also be a member in good standing with the Chamber with regards to dues and invoices. 

Goals & Projects:

1. Continue to help drive revenue generation/membership recruitment and involvement from hotels, restaurants, attractions, service providers, etc.


2. Hold a by invitation only event for all potentials to learn more about us. 


3. Develop a brand promise and brand message for the region


4. Help coordinate MLCVB National Tourism Week Initiative (May 5-13, 2011):
   
   
   
   1. Clean the World Program


5. Help drive attendance/sponsorships for all MLCVB scheduled events –
   
   
   
   1. SuperReception - June 28
   
   
   2. Mdest - October 2

Committee Structure

Vice Chair of Tourism – Rick Dabagian

TAC Executive Committee/Board Members:  

            Toni Pinto – Renaissance Meadowlands

            Sally Altman – Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights

            Gina Calderon – Metropolitan Exposition

            Tom Bogdansky – Freeman

            Robin Cuneo – Meadowlands Expo Center

            AJ Bassani – In Thyme Catering

 Current Active Committees:

Events and Promotions – Sally Altman, Chair - Helps Coordinate annual events and helps drive attendance to same

            Packaging Sub Committee – (Initiative) Vivian Colon, Vice Chair - Meets annually to update and review packages created

Marketing and Communications – Gina Calderon, Chair /Helene Mould, Vice Chair Provides input on MLCVB marketing and advertising campaigns and Helps promote packages created by sub-committee

           Branding Task Force – (Initiative) will work on branding message for MLCVB

Revenue Development – Toni Pinto, Chair / Kim Schimenek, Vice Chair - Assists with identifying additional non-dues revenue opportunities! Identifying potential additional members for the MLCVB

           Hospitality Sub Committee – AJ Bassani, Chair / Jim Evans – Vice Chair Serves as ambassadors and helps new members make connections

Operations and Services – Robin Cuneo, Chair (Initiative) reviews annually the services that the MLCVB provides i.e. Housing, welcome center, provides regional data, lead generation, etc