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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12-15-1999 Board Mtg Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board December 15, 1999 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board met on Wednesday, December 15, 1999, at The Carolina Club in Chapel Hill. Board Members Present: Lee Pavao Moses Carey, Jr. Rick Strunk Catharine Callaway Creston Woods Pat Evans Board Members Absent: Mike Nelson Catherine Martin Ann Loeb Nancy Davis Staff Present: Joe Blake, Executive Director Betty Davis, Administrative Assistant Guests: Dianne Reid Chairman Lee Pavao called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Mr. Pavao welcomed board members and guests to the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Pavao disclosed that without a quorum present he would not seek a motion to approve the minutes of the October 20, 1999 board meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Pavao announced that Board Member Nancy Davis had a baby boy (Davis Carl Suffendeni) the first week in November. We send our congratulations to Nancy. Chairman Pavao asked Mr. Creston Woods to report on the 75th Anniversary Party of the Carolina Inn, which was held December 11th. Mr. Woods stated that the gala was very successful and gave credit to the Inn's floral designer along with Playmakers and the Ackland Museum for the decorations. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget and Finance Committee Mr. Moses Carey reported that the revenue for the Bureau was more than projected this time of year. Mr. Blake explained that many of the vendors for advertising did not submit invoices until November. The November financial report will reflect the payments and that will bring the yearly projected budget within line. Mr. Carey stated that the overall budget was in a good financial position. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Joe Blake reported that a meeting regarding a proposed shuttle service for Orange County accommodations would be held at the Sheraton Hotel on December 28th. A survey was conducted in February 1999 and responses from local accommodations indicated they were in favor of a shuttle service. Mr. Wayne Thorpe, owner of R & G Transportation and Limousine Service, will be present at this meeting to discuss plans for his company to provide the service. Memos have been forwarded to all Orange County accommodations informing and inviting them to the meeting. Mr. Blake informed the Board Members that the Bureau was a member of the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and that organization (IACVB) has contracted the D. K. Shifflet and Associates, Ltd. to do marketing research for the tourism industry. Our Bureau can obtain information based on market research for 1998 on visitation to Orange County for $1,000.00 from IACVB. Using IACVB marketing research would be a significant savings. Additional market research statistics could be obtained in January 2000 for a cost of$1,000.00. Occupancy tax receipts for the Chapel Hill/Orange County area showed that occupancy tax was up 7 1/2% and the average daily rate was $105.00. OLD BUSINESS Marketing Committee Mr. Creston Wood, Chair of the Marketing Committee, reported that the Bureau was experiencing a large market from the promotional brochure, "Wonderful, Whimsical Winter." Also, that the recent advertising has generated interest in the Chapel Hill/Orange County area, which, historically is the slower time for accommodations. The website is strong and now the updates on the website can be performed in-house. The visitors bureau staff is currently updating the visitors guide and a final draft copy should be available at the January Board Meeting. 2 By-Laws Committee Mr. Rick Strunk stated that a review of the recent amendments to the Board's by-laws containing the phrase "in county resident"be deleted. With the deletion of the wording, it will allow more flexibility in Board appointments. Additional information on the deletion of the wording will be presented to the Board as information becomes available. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Creston Woods reported to the Board on the Paul J. Rizzo Conference Center at Meadowmont, located across from the William & Ida Friday Continuing Education Center. Mr. Woods stated that Doubletree would manage the complex opening in March with a grand opening and ribbon cutting April 14 and 15, 2000. Mr. Pavao and Mr. Carey held a discussion on the visitors bureau fund balance. The Board recommended that the fund balance be used to enhance the marketing program, update computers, with any balance being spent in a prudent and intelligent manner to facilitate a more effective operation of the bureau. Prior to adjournment, Mr. Strunk reported that the North Carolina High School Athletic Association had a very successful state football championship playoffs December 10th and 11t'. Mr. Strunk stated that 11 radio stations carried the games, and 4 television stations aired the games, overall, the event had very good media coverage. He also stated that Raleigh was expressing an interest in hosting the NCHSAA basketball championship games. Mr. Strunk will share information with the Board, as it becomes available. ADJOURMENT With all business of the Board concluded, Mr. Pavao asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Carey made the motion for adjournment and Ms. Evans seconded the motion. With all members in agreement, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m. Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by: Joseph Blake, Executive Director Lee Pavao, Chairman Date Date board/meetings/12 15 99 Board Meeting Minutes.doc 3