2013 Plan for Battleship IOWA

January 19, 2013

Battleship IOWA Crew:

Let me begin by thanking you for continuing to devote your time and efforts to bring IOWA alive.  The past year has been amazing from restoration to an American landmark at the L.A. Waterfront.  None of which could have been done without you and the rest of the dedicated crew.

Recently, in an effort to advance the organization, Robert Kent has changed his focus to community outreach and fundraising.  I have assumed the role of President  & COO overseeing the daily operations of the organization.   The board of directors was unanimous in their support for this new arrangement.

As we look forward into the next year, the organization is beginning to take form and realize its potential in the marketplace.  It is my personal goal to involve each and every crew member in this great journey as we position ourselves as an American destination.  After months of discussions and feedback from numerous crew members, the vision of the Pacific Battleship Center was approved unanimously by the Board of Directors on January 18, 2013.  The vision of who we are is:

“Celebrating the American Spirit by connecting the past with the future”

The roots of this vision began with a crew member in the Tour Department, Carl Clausen.  The profound impact of a one hour conversation in November has forever changed the future of our organization. 

Broken down below is who we are and where we are going.  Please feel free to share and post these for fellow crew members. 

Our number one priority always remains giving our guests a clean, safe, and enjoyable experience that will make the American Spirit a reality for all.  Each and every crew member is at the forefront of telling the story and without you, celebrating the American Spirit is not possible. 

Thank you fellow crew members for dedicating yourself to the Battleship IOWA dream!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Williams
President & COO

P.S.  I will begin posting updates on progress and happenings at http://iowaupdates.blogspot.com/. 

2013 Plan “The Foundation Year”

Battleship IOWA Core Values

Quality The quality of the guest experience is of paramount importance to the company as guests pay the bills and justify our existence. Quality would also be applicable to our staff, our volunteer experience and the work that each of us performs on a daily basis. We will be an institution that provides quality experiences, instruction, information and value.

Interactivity Interactive opportunities for guests and crew alike provide the basis for memorable experiences during visits or in daily work. The guest is not just an observer on the tour path, but instead, is given opportunities to interact with tour guides, instructional videos or other media which enriches their time aboard the ship. The IOWA will provide an interactive experience.

Authenticity   Adherence to historical and technical authenticity will be the hallmark of all restoration, curatorial and maintenance activities aboard the ship. The crew will strive to provide the most accurate portrayal of shipboard experiences possible for the eras of active life that the ship represents. The guest will have an authentic experience on IOWA.

Alive The IOWA is often spoken of as a living monument to the past. We’d like to extend this sense of “aliveness” to include all aspects of the shipboard experience. This might include machinery sounds, fan noise, air conditioning humming in the background, 1MC announcements and various deck activities. The ship should give the impression of continuous activity at all times. The IOWA is alive.

Arrival Guests should have a strong sense of arrival as they approach the ship. Not unlike the entrance to Disneyland where guests are transported into another environment, we should strive to create that same sense of arrival and immersive experience. The guest has arrived at the IOWA.

Consistency We should strive to provide a consistent guest experience at all times and under every circumstance. This extends beyond the tour path and into events, communication and all media. The IOWA is consistent.

Comfort The comfort of our guests and crew is important to us. We should be sensitive to temperature, provide opportunities for respite (seating) watch for physical obstructions and provide conveniences. (To include toilets) Within the physical restrictions imposed by the ship, we should always strive to provide a comfortable experience for guests and crew alike. The IOWA is comfortable.

Accessibility The Battleship of Presidents bore one of the great presidents of the 20^th century on an important mission and was modified to accommodate his disability. We intend to honor that heritage and strive to provide the most accessible experience possible. The IOWA is accessible.

Safety Providing for guest and crew safety shall always be a priority for our institution. The IOWA is safe.

Spirit The crew of the IOWA has a passion for the ship, love of our country, respect and admiration for our veterans, a strong sense of purpose, commitment to education, respect for each other, appreciation for our guests, integrity, involvement, a sense of duty and love what we do. The IOWA has spirit.

Vision

Celebrating the American Spirit by connecting the past with the future.

Mission

The mission of the Pacific Battleship Center is to celebrate the American spirit through the preservation and interpretation of the Battleship IOWA, to educate the public on the accomplishments and sacrifices of American patriots, and to engage our guests in unique and exciting ways that bring the ship to life by connecting the past with the future.

Brand Message

The overall brand message captures the “American Spirit” through the use of silhouettes’ and American flag colors.  All messages will have a call to action depending on targeted audience and 2013 calendar.

2012 Crew Goals

1. Define who we are (COMPLETE)
2. Create an arrival experience
3.  Improve the guest experience
4. Have onboard toilets
5. Begin and implement program adds (to be determined)
6. Have curatorial operational and a healthy collection program
7. Focus on crew appreciation and recognition
8. Develop a healthy development department and process
9. Increase cash flow through debt reduction and management
10. Have technology stabilization
11. Clear and consistent communication

2013 Battleship IOWA Public Events Calendar  
(events subject to change)

January
All Month	Take your picture with the Times Square Kiss statue titled Unconditional Surrender Sculpture by Seward Johnson
February
17	Presidents Day Celebration and 70 year Birthday of Battleship IOWA
March
31	Easter Brunch with Easter Egg Hunt
April
19	April 19th Remembrance Ceremony
28	IOWA third birthday (1984)
May
8	Victory in Europe Celebration?
18	Armed force Day – Veterans Free Day
26	Memorial Day All American BBQ & Game Day
June
16	Father’s Day BBQ
July
4	Independence Day Celebration & One Year Anniversary at LA Waterfront
6	Possible fundraising gala onboard IOWA
August
10	Spirit of 45 Celebration / Hollywood Canteen
25	IOWA second birthday (1951)
31	Labor Day – Salute to American Labor
September
8, 11, 15, 22, 29	Free tickets for first responders with proof of ID
2	End of WWII Ceremony
11	September 11th Remembrance & Patriot Day
October
13	Navy Birthday Celebration
November
9	Veterans Appreciation Event – Veterans Free Day
10	Marine Corps Birthday Celebration
11	Veterans Day Service
December
7	Member Appreciation, Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony