September 16, 2015
Plymouth 400, Inc. shared successes at 2015 Annual Meeting on September 15th;
Governor Baker officially endorsed the Plymouth 400 Commemoration
Kenneth Tavares, Chair of Plymouth Board of Selectmen, was elected the new President of Plymouth 400, Inc.
Highlighted FY2015 successes in awareness, engagement, and fundraising
Plymouth, MA— Governor Charlie Baker announced his support for the Plymouth 400 Commemoration through a letter of endorsement for Plymouth 400, Inc., the organization formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the 1620 Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony; events that significantly shaped the building of America. The Governor’s endorsement letter was made public at Plymouth 400, Inc.’s Annual Meeting on September 15, 2015 at Plimoth Plantation.
“Plymouth 400, and the dozens of statewide and national events and programs that will surround it, offers us a unique opportunity to examine not only the roots of our nation, but also its future,” stated Governor Baker in his letter addressed to the Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all Americans. “As Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I invite you to join us in honoring the challenges and achievements of America’s indigenous people and the founders of our great Nation.”
Plymouth 400, Inc. is also working with Governor Baker’s office to activate the State Commission formed to advance the Commonwealth’s support of the 2020 commemoration internationally. Plymouth 400 has also engaged with Congressman Keating and Massachusetts Senate President Stanley Rosenberg on the Federal and State levels, and garnered significant funding of approximately $1.5 million in cash and in-kind support from the public and private sectors.
Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Rich Doucette, also affirmed his department’s support for the Plymouth 400 Commemoration.
“There wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without Plymouth—they are synonymous. This iconic anniversary is a significant opportunity for the public and private sector community nationally and internationally,” said Doucette.
Another highlight of the Plymouth 400 Annual Meeting was the election of Kenneth Tavares, Chair of the Plymouth Board of Selectmen, as the new President of Plymouth 400’s Board of Directors. Tavares has been involved in planning for the 2020 Commemoration since the inception of the first Plymouth 400 Town Committee in 2004. The current Board of Directors broadly represents strong support from the private and public sectors, and eight individuals were newly-appointed to the board at the Annual Meeting; William Wrestling Brewster of Brewster PC Solutions, John Burke of Plymouth Growth and Development Corporation, Cecilia Dahl of Key 360 Advisors LLC, Peter Drummey of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Lisa Kirkwood of TD Bank, George Montilio of Montilio’s Baking Company, Joseph Powers of Rogers & Gray Insurance, and Jeff Slater of International Strategy and Consulting Inc. The new Board represents strong support from the public and private sector.
Key highlights of FY2015, as presented by Plymouth 400 Executive Director Michele Pecoraro, include;
Launching Plymouth 400’s first Signature Program “Our Story—A Wampanoag History” exhibit, which received international media attention
Securing more than 2 million media impressions through Pre-Commemoration Events, community outreach meetings, public relations, and social media campaigns
Creating the Massachusetts 400 Forum to engage stakeholders and partners across the Commonwealth
Engaging national and international partners including Plymouth, England, key tourism industry constituents, and media.
The Plymouth 400 Annual Meeting was attended by more than 80 local and state leaders, including Senator Vinny deMacedo; Representatives Tom Calter and Mathew Muratore; representatives from several state departments, including the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation; leaders in the regional and international tourism industries, media, and other stakeholders and supporters of the Plymouth 400 Commemoration.
For more information on Plymouth 400, please visit www.plymouth400inc.org
About Plymouth 400, Inc.
Plymouth 400, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization in Plymouth, Massachusetts formed to lead the planning and execution of programs and events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony in 2020. The Plymouth 400 Anniversary will highlight the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag and English peoples, a story that significantly shaped the building of America.
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