By the Marketing Director, HPower Ltd (Jo Peck).

The Visitor Manager, Julia White, explained that due to unforeseen circumstances Jo Peck from Horse Power Ltd had been unable to attend the meeting but that she would cover the item in Jo’s absence. 

The Visitor Manager informed everybody present that Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday Party on the 12-15 May 2016 would be a celebration of The Queen’s life, her love of horses, her dedication to the Commonwealth and international affairs and her deep involvement with the Navy, Army and ­­­­Air Force.  It was noted that over 90 minutes, 900 horses and more than 1,500 participants from around the United Kingdom and the World would create a joyful event for The Queen.  Members were informed that the 90-year journey would take people from the excitement of the birth, through to World War Two, her marriage, the coronation and a reign of more than 60 years.  It was noted that the Celebration would use horses, actors, bands and dancers to tell the story.  The Visitor Manager went onto explain that the celebration would be created by the team that organised the successful Diamond Jubilee Pageant in Windsor in 2012 and that this time, technology would play an important part in the celebration.   It was noted that the 90-minute experience would be a fusion of the latest video projection, LED effects and theatrical lighting and the finale would be a kaleidoscope of memories and achievements. 

Members were informed that the Sunday performance would be broadcast live on ITV without adverts which would be a first.  It was noted that there was  discussion about the possibility of having a live site on the Long Walk on the Sunday evening and that tickets would be available to via a ballot.  The Visitor Manager explained that there had also been a discussion about bringing some of the artists from the performances up on a red carpet to the big screen which would in turn give more people an opportunity to be involved.  It was suggested that Maidenhead might also like to have a big screen, possibly located in Kidwells Park, in order for its residents to be able to see the show. 

The Visitor Manager informed everybody present that the royal windsor information centre’s Box Office had worked with local hotels to promote hotel packages.   Tickets for the event had gone on sale at the end of November and the huge demand had caused the systems to crash..  It was noted that the Visitor Information Centre team had handled the situation brilliantly but that a lot of people had been unfortunately disappointed as the tickets had sold out on the first day.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

Ø  Anne Taylor (Eton & Windsor Society) explained that unfortunately the tickets had not gone on sale at 9am as advertised and that it had only been when someone had knocked on the Information Centres door that the people queuing had been told that the systems had crashed.  It was suggested that in future communication between the Visitor Information Centre and customers could be improved. 

Ø  That a ballot to gain tickets would be held in January and would be handled by the Visitor Information Centre.

Ø  That Horse Power had been very keen to bring the event into the town in order to get local people / businesses involved.  It was noted that discussions had taken place about the possibility of bringing people from the show to the bandstand during the day.

Ø  That the ambassadors would be involved.

Ø  That bunting and flags would be put up in the town.

Ø  The possibility of a pop-up shop in Windsor to sell HMQ90 merchandise .

Ø  That the Council was working with local hotels regarding themed menus being made available.

Ø  About the possibility of having a Windsor Wednesday when approximately 20,000 local residents could be given free access to the horse show on the Wednesday.  It was noted that if agreed a Windsor Wednesday would be advertised on the Horse Power website and on the RBWM website.  It was noted that last year the Visitor Information Centre had based someone in the Daniels Department Store to help assist local residents. 

Ø  That the Horse Show would have 4* jumping which was up another grade from past years.

Ø  That the Visitor Manager and her team were looking at how the participants / performers could see the sights whilst in the Royal Borough by being given information packs.  It was noted that further discussions would take place in the New Year.

The Visitor Manager explained that Jo Peck from Horse Power Ltd hoped to attend the Forum meeting in January to give a further update on the event.