"A special thanks to all for coming to the
first meeting of business leaders
of Rincon in the effort to prepare for
the Central American & Caribbean
Games of 2010".
Attached are the minutes for your records and to share with those that
were unable to attend as communication is key to making these weeks go as
smoothly as possible. Many were surprised to find out the magnitude of
these events and the tremendous impact it will make for everyone.
M I N U T E S:
MEETING XXI CENTRAL AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN GAMES 2010 WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS – Rincon of the Seas Hotel
DATE: September 30, 2009
Attendance – 44 business owners / 12 members of the panel from the municipality including the mayor,, Porta del Sol, 2010 Mayagüez Committee, Triathlon Corporation, BMX and Mountain Bike commissioners and Partners for Community Management.
The meeting was opened at 10:30am by Anita Quintana and greetings by Arnaldo Ruiz, proprietor of Rincon of the Seas and Mayor Carlos Lopez.
The purpose of the meeting was to be the first of 3 to prepare the town of Rincon and work with the businesses of Rincon for the events taking place in summer of 2010.
Starting with a Presentation by Eddie Gonzalez, Director of Sports and Recreation was on the specifics sports we will participate in for the American Games and their location..
The calendar of events begins in Mayagüez July 17, 2010 and end on August 1, 2010.
Rincon will be hosting 3 of the games during this time which are as follows with the dates:
Triathlon – Saturday July 24, 2010
Triathlon Relay – Sunday July 25, 2010
BMX – Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Mountain Bike – Thursday, July 29, 2010
Albert Morales, commissioners of BMX and Mountain Bike explained the technical aspects of the sport and specifics of the course and the event details. Structures of bleachers and areas redesigned in the Balneario areas are underway.
There are many events throughout and preceding this event that are very important and will ensure large amounts of visitors to our shores. An estimated 250,000 visitors from about 40 countries are participating and there are many concerns that needed to be addressed. We need more accommodations so every villa, guest house or private home interested in renting can report to Tourism their availability.
The Porta del Sol Marketing Director did a presentation and explained that all property rentals can put themselves on the list to ocolon@prtourism.com and send her a photo and description of your property which will be listed under the main site of www.mayaguez2010.com even if not endorsed by Porta del Sol you can be listed.
If you have not been endorsed by Porta del Sol, contact yruiz@prtourism.com and find out what you need to become get an endorsement which will also give you access to referrals by the state department of Porta del Sol on their website at www.gotopuertorico.com
The Director of Voluntary for Mayagüez 2010 services explained that there will be 600 athletes and 5000 volunteers. They need volunteers over 18 and the application is available on the www.mayaguez2010.com website. Volunteers are needed in Rincon as well in every area for language services, transportation, assistance with registrations etc. etc.
The 17 municipalities of Porta del Sol including other areas of the south of Puerto Rico have participations in various sports as well.
Tourism – Magazines and website information presented to everyone upon arrival as well as other links will be a great source of information for visitors planning their visit here who have not yet made their reservations. Advertising should be increased by the business to attract more business and attention to service key to the success of the visitor’s experience. More on this in the weeks to come.
Dates to note:
March 24th - April 4th, 2010– Holy week
April 12th to the 18th, 2010 – University Games Mayagüez is already fully booked so they’ll be looking to us for accommodations and dining and beaches. First time this game is moved from Ponce to our side of town.
April 20 to the 25th, 2010 – International Film Festival
June 6th, 2010 Sunday - 30th Anniversary of Rincon Triathlon (moved ahead a week early)
June 26, 2010 Saturday – Celebration of Delegates Central American Games Plaza of Rincon (Pending)
June 27, 2010 Sunday – Passing of the Torch for the Central American Games coming to Rincon Plaza
July 4th, 2010 – Independence Day Holiday
July 17 – August 1st – Central American Games
July 24 & July 25th – Triathlon Competition
July 28 Wednesday – BMX Competition
July 29 Thursday – Mountain Bike Competition
August 1, Sunday – Closing Ceremony Mayagüez
Presentations by the non-profit federal program agency, Partners for Community Management Inc. Talked about their Redi 2014 programs to create hundreds of jobs in the west coast area starting immediately (more from them at a later time)
Areas of concern by the community leaders to be addressed further in the next meeting:
Accommodations: We need any and all areas to be reported to the Tourism office to be able to handle as many of these visitors as possible. Condominiums, private homes, villas guest house considering rentals should be ready and reporting availability.
Transportation: Plans to open parking areas in town and utilization of trolleys and buses to reduce traffic throughout this period of time is being established.
A request for mapping prior to the arrival of the visitors was also on the table.
Re-routing of certain areas needs to be established in the upcoming weeks.
Meetings with the municipality and police and relative committees in this area will be an on-going process.
Clean-up before and after the events must be addressed and a plan outlined.
Food & Beverage service – Restaurants & eateries need to work on their inventory and increase their purchases to have enough supplies during this time.
Conclusion: The meeting was successful and the leaders of the community pleased to have this opportunity. The overall comment was that the magnitude of this event is now clearer and the opportunities enormous. All in agreement this is Rincon’s time to shine for the rest of the world will be watching.
Next meeting scheduled for January 20th, 2010, 10am in Villa Cofresi Hotel Banquet Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 1:15pm.
Anita Quintana
Director
Art, Culture & Tourism
Municipality of Rincon
Email: turismorincon@yahoo.com
787-823-5024-F
"Rincon 2010" Enjoy to the Fullest!!
