Tourism Advisory Commission
Parks & Recreation Conference Room
March 24, 2015
Members Present: Watty Brooks Hall, Ashley Carver, Shannon Byers, Stacey
Arnold, John Stamps(Alderman), Missy Marshall, Fran Persechini, Nancy Bassett,
Tamara Swain, Shannon Izquierdo, Sheila Moody (staff), Chip Peterson(Director of
Parks).
Members Absent: Tammy Piker, Polly Shipley, Tina Parmar, John Duncan, Laura
Todd.
Meeting was called to order by Chairman Watty Brooks Hall at 4:00 pm. The agenda
and minutes were provided with the minutes being approved as written.
Watty Brooks Hall welcomed John Stamps as the town liaison. It was recommended
by Watty Brooks Hall that the TAC will make a donation to the Alzheimer Center in
memory of Polly’s mother.
Shannon Byers passed out the Main Street Collierville report on behalf of Laura
Todd’s absence. Shannon reported that in partnership w/ the Chamber, the Town
and Carriage Crossing the Town Wide Sidewalk Sale will be held March 27th-29th.
Also MSC along with the partnership of Collierville Jr. Auxillary will be having the
Easter Bunny Hop on April 3, 2015. Shannon Byers reported that there is a shortage
of housing for sale in Collierville which is making the demand for real estate strong.
Shannon Izquierdo reported that she has been busy traveling with work.
Ashley Carver reported that the Museum will be having its “Senior Lunch & Learn”
through the summer and will be having children workshops in June & July. Ashley
reported that she attended the TN Museum Conference and that they were awarded
four awards.
John Stamps reported that there is more development taking place than normal and
he reminded everyone about the school questionnaire that was mailed out to the
community.
Missy Marshall reported that it was Keep Tennessee Beautiful month and the kick
off will be held in Pigeon Forge. Next years kick off will be held in West TN and she
is hoping it will be in Collierville. Missy reported that Collierville received the TN
Coalition State Award for Recycling.
Fran Persechini reported that it has been a busy 3 months at the Chamber with its
membership meeting announcing the Chamber person of the year Linda Dick and
Helena Chemical receiving the business award. The Chamber is currently
promoting the Town Wide Sidewalk Sale which will be held March 27th-29th, the
Chamber old Tournament May 18th, as well as the Women’s Professional Group
April 10th.
Tamara Swain reported that First Tennessee is happy to be the Title Sponsor for the
Main Street Collierville Sunset on the Square Summer Concerts in June and July.
Tamara also reported that FTB will be sponsoring the St. Jude Run.
Nancy Bassett reported that the Bible Museum has had lots of walk in visitors. They
will be having April 28th Dr. Paul Maier hosting two lectures. The museum is
working on an exhibit highlighting manuscripts. In June they will be having an
archeological dig and in July story days for children.
Stacey Arnold reported that it is official that H & M will be coming to Carriage
Crossing. They will be having the Easter Bunny for the children to visit and are
currently working on the summer movies. Stacey announced that they will not be
getting the Susan G. Komen Race location next year.
Marty Marbry reported they will be getting a new Tourism Commissioner Kevin
Triplett beginning April 23rd. April 13th-17th will be taking a public relations team
and traveling to promote the TN Sampler Tour.
Chip Peterson reported Hinton Park is under construction. There also has been 2
miles of primitive trails completed making there a total of 17 miles of greenway of
which a total of 5 miles being primitive. Parks had received a grant from TDAC for
$250K to help extend the trails to connect with Halle Plantation, Almadale Farms to
Johnson Park. Chip announced that Hwy 72 will be named the Jimmy Lott Pkwy.
Sheila Moody reported that the spray parks will be open May 18th, crews are out
planting & prepping, the baseball/softball tournaments dates are out, the Harrell
Theatre productions will April 17th-19th & 24th -26th. Sheila reported that they are
busy getting ready for the town’s 30th Anniversary for the 4th of July Celebration.
Sheila mentioned that the “38017” t-shirts sales have slowed down.
New Business: Town Wide Sidewalk Sale to become more community orientated .
Old Business: Stand Up Amos was talked about becoming used as an educational
tool. TAC & MSC will partner and collaborate together on Amos on how to get Amos
out to the community and what his job will be. TAC & MSC has reached out to Welby
Stamps to help also collaborate in bringing out the history of Amos, guide & advise
on Amos’s costume, his awareness in the community and introducing him into the
Collierville Schools. Watty Brooks Hall reported that it is important to keep Amos as
a community cat.
Meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm.
Next Tourism Advisory Commission Meeting to be May 26, 2015 at 4 pm.