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Home My WebLink AboutCH-OCVB minutes 061511Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board June 15, 2011 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau Board met at Rams Club Conference Room, Ernie Williamson Athletic Building, UNC Board Members Present: Dave Gephart, Karen DeHart, Mike Gering, Jim Ward, Greg Overbeck, Jim Norton, Laura Morgan, Lydia Lavelle, Lee Pavao, Dwight Bassett, and Gordon Jameson Members Absent: Gary Shope, Mark Sherburne, Annette Stone, Anthony Carey, Jim Parker and Valerie Foushee Staff Present: Laurie Paolicelli, Linda Ekeland, Tina Fuller, and Martha Shannon CALL TO ORDER Chair Dave Gephart called the meeting to order at 8:18 am APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Gephart requested a motion to approve the May 18, 2011 minutes, Lydia Lavelle so moved with Greg Overbeck seconding. With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as written. WELCOME Chair Gephart introduced Rick Steinbacher of UNC Athletics Dept. and Burt Jenkins with Tarheel Sports Marketing. In light of the NCAA investigation, Mr. Steinbacher stated that UNC Athletics wants to reassure the community that they are committed to their core values. Mr. Steinbacher also discussed the strategic initiative for increasing revenue from UNC-CH’s football program. Burt Jenkins, Learfield Marketing, was then introduced to the board as the key contact for Tarheel Sports Marketing. Action: Steinbacher and Jenkins asked the visitors bureau for their continued support in keeping football visitors in the county, rather than watching the migration to surrounding counties. Several ideas were expressed and Tar Heel Sports Marketing will continue to work with Paolicelli and area leaders on programs to keep athletic visitors in Orange County. REPORTS Budget & Finance As part of the 2011-2012 budget discussion, Mike Gering requested the board discuss how extra occupancy revenues earned this year could be used to build tourism and event programming rather than watching these dollars divert to fund balance. With that, Laurie Paolicelli reported that the Visitor Bureau would likely see an additional of $100,000 (over projected budget revenues) for the current budget year. The dollars would be placed in fund balance and Paolicelli committed to speaking to the manager and budget office on discussing a strategic marketing plan to use the additional fund balance dollars. At Gering’s request, the board will discuss using $50,000 of these funds for an updated tourism research study to gauge tourist’s view of Orange County, how they were making their travel decisions, perceptions of Carrboro and Hillsborough and how they were spending their travel dollars while in the county. Continuing, Paolicelli stated that the 2011-2012 budget submitted to the county is right at $1 million. Paolicelli thanked Jim Ward for his request to have the Town appropriate more funds to the Visitors Bureau; however she expressed disappointment at Chapel Hill town leaders for not showing any real interest in growing tourism or their support of a visitor’s bureau. She also stated that it is her hope that as Hillsborough and Carrboro legislate new occupancy tax and Chapel Hill grows their annual occupancy funds - a countywide visitors bureau remain intact rather than separate tourism silos attempting to re-create an effort that works well. Jim Ward suggested starting the request to Chapel Hill for more funds in January 2012 for budget year 2012-2013. Laurie inquired if it would be beneficial to have more Chapel Hill council members attend VB board meetings in an effort for them to better understand the VB’s job. Jim replied that he thought that was being done on an individual basis. Lydia commented that the community boards that she is on as a liaison have two BOA/council members from the same town, and sometimes one is denoted as an alternate. Dwight Basset said he would put Laurie on the mailing list for ED committee meetings and would encourage her attendance at future EDC meetings that he is involved with. Paolicelli proceeded to go over the proposed 2011-2012 budget details. A brief question and answer period followed. Action: Board would like to see additional anticipated revenues added to the operating budget, rather than divert to fund balance. NEW BUSINESS Hillsborough Update Mike Gering reported that Hillsborough approved and published an economic development incentive policy, and that the town is coming to a decision about creating a Special Assessment District for Waterstone, a financing tool to complete the infrastructure and accelerate its build-out. If the town approves the SAD, Hillsborough is likely to be the first municipality in the state to use this tool. Carrboro Update Lydia Lavelle updated the board on fall festivals to be held in Carrboro (including the music festival, film festival and the West End Poets festival) that impact tourism by attracting people from out of town. Lydia also spoke on the challenges with Weaver Street’s construction and its impact on some businesses. Lavelle updated board on the departure of DSI Comedy chief, Zach Ward, and her hopes that the hospitality industry would not be negatively impacted by leadership changes at the comedy club. Chapel Hill Update Dwight reported that they have a concept plan going to council on the Jun 21st, part of the June 20th agenda for a 450,000 sq ft of retail mixed use property that would include two hotels on Eubanks near the Park & Ride (Dwight confirmed that at this point there is an interest but no commitment yet). Mr. Bassett also reported that council has approved a Traffic Analysis Plan for the Ephesus Church Road-Eastgate area that encompasses two hotels, Hampton Inn and Chapel Hill University Inn. He mentioned that University Inn’s ownership and management are talking of going vertical to 6 or 7-story hotel. Jim Ward added that council is involved in a yearlong comprehensive plan process and invited VB board members to give their perspective on tourism and related issues impacting the future of Chapel Hill. He also reported that the sign ordinance has passed allowing larger signs to be posted near shopping centers etc. and the upper floor of 523 East Franklin (former Chapel Hill museum) will be dormant for approximately 1-year; it needs about $800,000 in retrofits. Arts Commission Update Gordon Jameson reported on the spring 2011 cycle stating that they received $48,550 in requests. Of the $29,891 in state Grassroots funds (a 15% reduction from 2011), $26,040 would be awarded to 11 nonprofit arts organizations and 5 schools with an additional $3,851 to their own programming. Martha Shannon reported that the Governor is starting an awards program this year in which she, Dwight and Laurie nominated Frank Gallery in the small business and entrepreneurship category. Sales Update Linda discussed year-end accomplishments, upcoming opportunities and challenges. Ekeland reported on Nancy Pierce’s findings in the RTP gaming industry, stating that the majority of their meetings are too large for our properties to handle but she still plans to go after the smaller meetings – Ms Peirce will also concentrate on the association and religious markets. OLD BUSINESS Laurie requested to have the Visitor Bureau parking situation deferred to the next meeting, early on the agenda. ADJOURNMENT With no other business to discuss, Dave Gephart requested a motion to adjourn the meeting, Lydia Lavelle moved and Greg Overbeck seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 9:54 a.m. _______________________________ _______________________ __________ Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by: Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director Dave Gephart, Chairman ________________________________ _________________________________ Date Dat e