By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor
The Tourism Committee of the Economic Development Board will meet Thursday for the first time in 2013, with some notable gaps in representation on the panel.
The panel currently has no member from the glass arts community, a one-year term, nor representatives from the Industrial Park, real estate or restaurant sectors.
Add to that the fact that two downtown merchants resigned at last month’s meeting: Erick Martinez, owner of Shirocos, and Laurie Key, owner of Piccolo, resigned from the committee in lieu of the closure of their combined store. After their departure, “no replacements have come forward,” Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani said Monday.
Some new members have come forward, however, so that the panel’s current composition of one-term members is Ellen Kolowich and Duane Oliveira, Economic Development Board; Claire McFadden, lodging; Pat Ryll, marketing; Larnie Fox of Arts Benicia representing visitor centers/organizations; Elizabeth d’Huart of Benicia Historical Museum; Nancy Martinez of Benicia Main Street; Stephanie Christiansen of Chamber of Commerce; Mike Caplin of Benicia State Parks Association; and Belinda Smith of Benicia Old Town Theatre Group.
Two-year-term members are Renee Stewart and Penny Nichols Stell, representing residents; Leah Perry-Shelhorn of Studio 41, representing downtown merchants; and Amanda Pangelina of A Lily of Gold Day Spa, representing spas/salons.
After staff welcomes new members of the committee and recognizes the outgoing members, the panel will look to appoint a new chair and vice chair. McFadden was the chair and Ryll vice chair in 2012.
In addition, committee members will volunteer for various panels to work toward 2013-14 goals, which include participating in the Sunset Celebration Weekend, developing a visitor booklet, attracting more Benicia residents to First Street in a “Discover Benicia” campaign, growing the Art Walk, exploring a retail-only ordinance, and developing corporate tours.
At its December 2012 meeting the panel considered including new Benicia businesses on its agenda. These announcements will be handled as they are at Economic Development Board meetings, “except it will be in the back of the Agenda instead of the front as it is in the EDB agenda,” Giuliani said. Another difference: At Tourism Committee meetings, the announcements will be focused on new retail businesses.
Those new retail businesses are: The Workshop on Claverie Way, Sportclips on Southampton Road, Benicia Makerspace on First Street, and Pro-Faction Martial Arts and Fitness on First Street.
Also Thursday, Ryll will give the committee an update from Tuesday’s Art Walk Committee meeting.
If You Go
The Tourism Committee will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday in Room 2 at the Community Center, 370 East L St.
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