Photo Credit: Brandon Sprung
Share2021 Visitor Industry Council Committees
Visitor Industry Council (VIC) committees and task forces combine the expertise and passion of Visit Rochester members with the resources and knowledge of professional staff. Visit Rochester members are invited to join forces with their fellow members on a committee and/or task force of interest.
Scroll to learn about each committee and register using the form below.
NYS Assn. Task Force
Chair: TBD
Staff Liaison: Alicia Gazda
The NYS Assn. Task Force will focus on the Albany region to maintain a presence in this market and continue to foster relationships. Members of this task force will identify new, potential and current Associations within the NYS region to target for sales blitz, one-on-one appointments and networking opportunities as a Rochester community. The task force will focus on the recent hotels, convention center and venue updates as well as options available to meeting planners in regards to hybrid events, virtual site visits and standard procedure.
Membership Engagement Committee
Chair: Jess DeCotis
Staff Liaison: Elena Oyer
This committee will work to build on the momentum of the 2020 program “What’s on Your Plate?” The committee will remain focused on their mission to engage with existing members, encouraging them to utilize all of their member benefits and to work to attract new individuals and organizations to Visit Rochester.
Local Contact Advisory Council
Chair: Justin Cheshire
Staff Liaison: Rich Mackey
The Local Contact Advisory Council will heighten the awareness of Rochester’s capability to host future meetings, tournaments, and other events. Members of this Council will use a think tank approach to supplement the Recommend Rochester Program. The Council will also work with Visit Rochester staff to identify and cultivate area residents who have influence within organizations and can help invite them to convene in the area as requested. Tasks of this committee may include connectivity, making presentations, and planning and execution of events related to the program.
“ROC For A Reason” Task Force
Chair: Meredith Howie
Staff Liaison: Elena Oyer
This task force will look for ways to share and support community needs during these unusual times. Over the next few months the task force will identify local organizations that may be in need of volunteer time, donations and/or services. They will share this information and encourage members to unite to give back in 2021.
I.D.E.A. Committee
Chair: Chad Krohn
Staff Liaison: Diana Keating & Amanda Fox
The committee will focus on the community as a destination, through the lens of four pillars: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA). They will work to partner with community entities to develop best practices for becoming or enhancing inclusive amenities to all abilities including but not limited to; blind and visually impaired, hard of hearing and wheelchair accessibility resources. The group will also work with these entities to develop and schedule a minimum of 4 trainings throughout the year for Visit Rochester members and their staff.
Attractions Task Force
Chair: TBD
Staff Liaison: Rachel Laber Pulvino
Representatives from member museums, attractions and other “see & do” experiences to join this ad hoc committee designed for knowledge sharing, networking and the exploration of community recovery and reopening strategies. This group will help inform messaging, marketing tools and other considerations to once again attract scores of visitors to Rochester and these attractions. Operational questions will also be gathered and addressed.
Event Enhancement Committee
Chair: John Tassone
Staff Liaison: Amanda Fox & Amber Brewer
The event enhancement committee will be spending Q1 and Q2 focused on recovery ideas and best practices for reopening events, event venues and facilities. We will meet as needed throughout the 6 month period based on new laws/regulations from the State and Federal Governments on Event restrictions and re-opening. As time and safety permits, we will refocus the committee to formulate actions to enhance events and attendee experience for groups meeting at the end of 2021 and future years.
Social Media Committee
Chair: Nina Piccini
Staff Liaison: Chelsea Wernick
Join social media and digital communication managers from Visit Rochester member organizations to discuss and learn how they are managing social and digital strategies and tactics in 2021. The committee is a collaborative network focused on education, discussing best practices, and sharing case studies on the ever-changing social and digital communication landscape.
Tour & Travel Committee
Chair: Emily Foe
Staff Liaison: Diana Keating
This committee will focus on recovery efforts to keep Rochester top of mind as a preferred destination and stopover for future travel trade and group tour programs. Members will work collaboratively to develop new virtual selling methods and continued focus on communication with prospects and booked business and also determine how future health and safety standards will impact group travel and group size.
Frontline Training Task Force
Chair: Danyelle Hildreth
Staff Liaison: Greg LaDuca
This task force will be asked to test out the E-Learning modules created for Visit Rochester and provide feedback. The task force will also be asked to explore the best options to administer the new program to reach a wide audience in, and outside of, Monroe County.