Tourism Bureau Gets A Head Start
Even before Beacon Hill lawmakers have given their stamp of approval for a MetroWest travel and tourism bureau, a group of nine business leaders in the area have already begun laying the groundwork for the organization.
Local officials founded MetroWest Visitors and Tourism Bureau Inc. on March 10 as a nonprofit organization with a goal to "promote, develop and expand tourism in the MetroWest/495 Region," as well as to "solicit and seek public and private funds" and to promote the area as a cultural destination for tourists, according to records on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Office.
Lawmakers are considering legislation that would officially create up to three new tourism bureaus in the state, including one in MetroWest. But the legislation hasn't been passed - yet.
"By forming a group we hope to get a head start on the planning," said Bonnie Biocchi, who serves as president of the newly founded organization as well as president and CEO of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce. "This way, when and if the legislation passes we'll have a structure in place to move forward."
Ahead Of The Curve
Earlier this year state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, filed a bill that would reorganize many of the business offices in the state, and would create up to three new regional tourism councils (RTCs).
The bill has passed the Senate but has not yet been considered by the state House of Representatives. It would also have to be signed by the governor before taking effect.
But that didn't stop this group of nine business leaders in the region from teaming up to form a board.
Members of the organization include:
- Bonnie Biocchi, MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, president
- Barry Feingold, Milford Area Chamber of Commerce, treasurer
- Susanne Morreale-Leeber, Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, clerk
- David Buckley, manager, Sheraton Framingham Hotel
- Steven Ziglar, director of communications, Garden in the Woods
- Peter Golden, public relations consultant, Natick
- Steve Levine, Purple Ink Insurance, Ashland
- Marc Terry, partner, Mirick O'Connell
- Annie Murphy, Framingham Historical Society
"What we're really doing is laying the ground work and trying to talk amongst ourselves about what we want this organization to look like and do if the legislation passes," said Morreale-Leeber.
She said the group is working to create a vision and mission statement and is brainstorming ways to market and brand the region.
Without funding from the state or any devoted resources, however, Biocchi admitted the organization will be limited in what it can do.
Board Member Murphy said she's all for creating a board of directors, but admitted she was slightly surprised when former MetroWest Chamber President Ted Welte asked her to sit on the board before the legislation had passed.
"It was a little fast," she said.
But Murphy said she's happy to see any discussions about how to better market and brand the region.
Until the legislation passes, however, Murphy said it's a "waiting game."
Biocchi said even if the legislation does not pass, which she said would be a "set-back," the newly-formed nonprofit group would continue its work of branding the region as a cultural attraction in the state.
Spilka said she has no sense of when the issue may be considered by the House, but she said she hopes to receive support from the speaker of the House on the issue.
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