LEWISTON — A new network of touch-screen kiosks will soon appear around Lewiston-Auburn to help people find hotels, restaurants, cultural events and festivals.

Plans call for four kiosks to be installed this fall at Bates College, the Hilton Garden Inn, the Ramada Lewiston Hotel and Conference Center and Central Maine Medical Center.

The network could grow to a dozen or more locations, said Hillary Dow, co-chairwoman of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Image Committee.

“It provides that immediate touch-point for people who have feet on the ground, are visiting the area and looking for where to eat, where to shop or what to do while they are here,” Dow said.

The kiosks are made and operated by CTM Media Group, based in Stamford, Conn.

Dow and other chamber members were looking for something new to introduce newcomers to the area. They thought of installing message boards and racks of brochures. Then, they hit on the company that’s put many kiosks in big cities such as Boston and New York.

The chamber plans to pay a $600 annual fee to the company and the rest of the cost will be borne by private companies, which can purchase space on the interactive tablets.

A restaurant might include photos or updated menu items. Arts listings could include performance times and ticket prices. Some items might include a QR code readable by smartphones.

An informational meeting for the system was held Wednesday afternoon and another was planned for 8 a.m. Thursday at the chamber office at 415 Lisbon St.

In a letter to chamber members, President Chip Morrison stressed the kiosks’ ability to showcase the “tremendous assets and opportunities we have for visitors.”

Among them will be nonprofit groups. The chamber will reserve a section of each kiosk for use in promoting local arts and cultural events, Dow said.

dhartill@sunjournal.com

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