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Home My WebLink AboutCH-OCVB minutes 091615Approved October 21, 2015 MINUTES Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Meeting September 16, 2015 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau met at Performance AutoMall, Chapel Hill Board Members Present: Anthony Carey, Libbie Hough, Lee Storrow, Debbie Hepp, Jill McCullough, Karen DeHart, Aaron Bachenheimer, Lee Pavao, Michelle Johnson, Mike Gering, Annett Stone, Meg McGurk Not Present: Rosemary Waldorf, Mark Sherburne, Penny Rich Staff attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera, Tina Fuller Also present: Corey Bass and Chuck Schroeder with Tar Heel Sports Properties; Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen, UNC Dept. of City & Regional Planning; Andrew Strickland, GM Residence Inn; and Shannon Campbell, Economic Development Planner for Town of Hillsborough. Call to Order Chairman Anthony Carey called the meeting to order at 8:10 am. Introductions were given by all. Approval of Minutes Mr. Cary requested a motion to approve the August 19, 2015 minutes. Lee Pavao so moved, Libbie Hough seconded. With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted. Guest/host speakers Chairman Carey recognized Corey Bass and Chuck Schroeder from Tar Heel Sports Properties. Mr. Bass thanked the board for their partnership with their organization. Mr. Schroeder talked about working with the marketing team at UNC and how Tar Heel Town can draw in more visitors to downtown. Chairman Carey recognized Jill McCullough, Communications Director for Performance AutoMall and board member. Ms. McCullough spoke about their most current campaign message stating that they can service any make and model vehicle at these facilities, not just the brands they sell. Ms. McCullough informed members that Performance employs about 350 people and noted that their Porsche franchise is relocating to SouthPoint. Chairman Carey recognized Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen. Dr. Nguyen spoke on some of her collaborations with local government agencies to assist them with future growth and development planning. She spoke on her recently work with the City of Asheville to conduct a study and economic analysis of short term rentals and how they affect communities, competing hotels/B&B’s, and affordable housing. Dr. Nguyen reported that she also worked with NCRLA in legislation for tax collection and reporting by Airbnb for North Carolina counties. Legislation was passed and goes into effect August 15, 2015. Dr. Nguyen cautioned though that at this time there is really no way to monitor the process. She also discussed affordable housing in certain distressed neighborhoods of Durham. Mike Gering inquired what sort of housing and development she could help with in Orange County. Dr. Nguyen replied that she would need more time to evaluate the area, but can see that density is a big issue in Chapel Hill. Laurie Paolicelli added that she reached out to Dr. Nguyen in relation to tourism development. Ms. Paolicelli stated that developers reach out the Visitors Bureau for information on whether the area can sustain more hotel and meeting space. Paolicelli said she cannot give them an informed answer. 2 | Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting September 16 , 2015 Mr. Gering suggested partnering with the local chamber, that they are probably interested in this same information. Paolicelli stated that she wants to commit to a long term study on feasibility. Mr. Gering inquired if she would ask for a proposal for a study in which Paolicelli replied yes. Ms. Paolicelli asked other board members if they thought this would be beneficial to them. Libbie Hough replied yes, and posed the question of where can we have a decent event? She commented that there is new event space in the pipeline but also talked about the logistics; how do we get people to and from the space. Ms. Hough agreed that charting growth in the community is a good idea. Annette Stone also agreed that a (space) study is beneficial but commented that there are so many arms involved. Chairman Carey commented that a study could show us opportunities and identify who we are. With that Mr. Carey motioned to allow the Visitors Bureau to write an RFP stating scope of services and cost for conducting an event space feasibility study. Mike Gering suggested the RFP should include all, for more than one stage, by town. Libbie Hough seconded the motion. All members were in favor and the motion passed. Ms. Paolicelli agreed to partner with the local Chambers of Commerce. Budget Update In the Finance Chairs absence, Ms. Paolicelli reported that at this time the budget is uneventful and on target. She stated that the fund balance is currently $690,000. 20% of the current budget will stay in reserves noting that this past year was an anomaly. Ms. Paolicelli stated she would use funds from the fund balance for the study. Mike Gering confirmed then that about $350,000 would be available to use on various projects. Anthony Carey commented that we have to use our funds strategically noting that focusing on the few hotels downtown would create a compression for other hotels in Chapel Hill. Andrew Strickland made comment that our competitors are the hotels in RTP and Durham, not each other. Executive Directors Report Laurie gave a recap on current events. She stated that this is Tina Fullers last meeting. Mark Sherburne will be leaving the board and Andrew Strickland in turn will represent that seat. Future plans include Bob Ward’s suggestion of incorporating ‘The Southern Part of Heaven’ for UNC’s Anniversary in two years. She also reported that TerraVita is October 10th and all are invited to attend the Grand Tasting on the Green as Visitor Bureau guests. Sales Report Marlene Barbera reported that she and the Sheraton Chapel Hill Director of Sales met with 28 meeting planners. She state some planners showed an interest in Chapel Hill and received a few pieces of business. Ms. Barbera reported on upcoming conferences that she will be attending. She gave an update on hotel participation on the Bureau’s Cvent marquis page in September. And lastly, informed that the search for a sales associate is ongoing. New Business/Roundtable Chairman Carey acknowledged all for updates in their respective fields: Aaron Bachenheimer talked about the recent community events and the upcoming family weekend September 25-26. Meg McGurk discussed Tar Heel Downtown saying the pep rally seemed to fit the needs of the community. She reported that they will look into having it more than once next year. She also talked about Festifall and the small plate crawl. Annette Stone reported on upcoming events to Carrboro; the Music Festival and TerraVita. Ms. Stone discussed the possibility of incorporating bicycle events in the Visitors Bureau tourism plan. She mentioned having the Carrboro Bicycle Coalition speak at a future board meeting to discuss further. Meg McGurk agreed. Laurie Paolicelli agreed to have them attend the November meeting. Concluding her report, Ms. Stone talked about the upcoming crafters market- Carrboro Bazaar Arts & Craft Market; they have three upcoming events this fall. 3 | Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting September 16 , 2015 Chairman Carey recognized Shannon Campbell as the new Economic Development Planner for the Town of Hillsborough. Ms. Campbell said she hopes to attend more of these meetings and would like to get more involved with Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Continuing the round table, Debbie Hepp stated that fall is the best time of year for the arts. She talked about the Arts Commission’s 30 year Anniversary event commenting that there are very talented people here. Lee Storrow commented that elections are right around the corner. He also reported that the proposal for the Hotel on Rosemary Street would be back on the agenda this fall. He noted the proposal has not had a lot of opposition so far. Karen DeHart reported that fall high school sports are in full swing; Former board member Rick Strunk is visiting high schools throughout the state; football championships are back at Kenan Stadium this year, the dates are Dec 11-12 and Basketball championships will be in March. In response to a question, Ms. DeHart said they have a difficult time trying to schedule other high schools sports at UNC venues because they conflict with UNC games. Laurie Paolicelli spoke on the bond issue from last night’s BOCC meeting. She reported that a new jail will be built by the McDonalds on old 86, the County has hired a new CFO, and Deputy County Manager, Travis Myren, will attend the next meeting. With no other discussion or business, Chairman Carey adjourned the meeting at 9:33 am. ________________________________ Minutes reviewed by: Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director ________________________________ Date ____________________________ Minutes accepted by: Anthony Carey, Chairman ____________________________ Date