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Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board
May 18, 2011
The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau Board met at
Durham Tech Community College, Orange County Campus
Board
Members Present: Dave Gephart, Karen DeHart, Mike Gering, Jim Norton, Laura Morgan, Lydia Lavelle, Lee Pavao, Annette Stone, Anthony Carey, Gordon Jameson, Valerie Foushee, Gary Shope
Members
Absent: Jim Ward, Greg Overbeck, Mark Sherburne, Dwight Bassett, and Jim Parker
Staff Present: Laurie Paolicelli, Linda Ekeland, Tina Fuller, and Martha Shannon
CALL TO ORDER
Chair
Dave Gephart called the meeting to order at 8:08 am
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Gephart requested a motion to approve the April 20, 2011 minutes, Lee Pavao so moved with Valerie Foushee
seconding. Will all members in favor; the minutes were approved as written.
WELCOME
Chair Gephart welcomed Darryl Kanipe with Pursuit of Happiness. Laurie Paolicelli chimed in with
a brief update of the need and search for a master regional comprehensive arts calendar. Paolicelli informed members that the Visitor Bureau is collaborating with the Arts Commission
on the calendar; staff will at first upload events with the event planners ultimately uploading their respective events themselves.
With that, Mr. Kanipe gave board members a demonstration
on the capabilities of the ‘Everwondr’ calendar with examples of video, pictures, maps and directions, plotting, social media, and Google analytics. Q&A followed
REPORTS
Marketing
Mr.
Gephart gave the floor to Anthony Carey for a marketing update. Mr. Carey reported that presently there is not a lot of activity going on with the RFQ’s with the exception of the company
Ogleby, which declined the request and brings the targeted agencies to 11.
Mr. Carey pitched the concept of branding solely with Chapel Hill and requested to open the floor for discussion.
Mike
Gering stated that he was under the impression that someone was going to discuss the idea
with the Town of Hillsborough and inquired if that has happened yet. Laurie Paolicelli replied that it had not but plans are in the works.
Discussion ensued with keynotes as: ad agency
RFQ’s are due mid June at which time the marketing committee OR agencies will present their qualifications and recommendations to the VB board. In the meantime, Laurie Paolicelli will
meet with local councils, officials, etc
Arts Commission Update
Gordon Jameson updated board members on Frank’s 1-year anniversary event stating that $54,000 worth of art was donated.
Mr. Jameson reported that the spring arts grant application deadline is May 31st. Martha Shannon referred members to their e-newsletter handout, commenting on the upcoming Artists Salon.
Downtown
Chapel Hill Update
Jim Norton reported that the parking spaces next to the old Chrysler building is finally opening to the public around mid June and will have a pay station for 44
spaces. Mr. Norton explained that individual meters would eventually be replaced with strategically placed pay stations.
Carrboro Update
Lydia Lavelle reported that development for
a residential neighborhood (Veridia Solar Community) near McDougle Middle School is in the pipeline. She also reported that Carrboro’s town manager is resigning as of August 1st and
recruitment is in-process, May is bike month in Carrboro and in conclusion hotel developer Manish Atma still plans to break ground for a Hampton Hotel with 143 rooms and a parking deck
this summer.
Hillsborough
Mike Gering reported that the lodging tax has been approved by NC legislation, but council has not decided on whether or not to impose it. Mr. Gering also
reported that RFP’s just went out for the wayfinding project, prospects look dim for the funding of the train station and finally the Board of Economic Development is looking at incentive
policies in hopes of attracting new development in Hillsborough.
And with that, Chair Gephart requested Mr. Gering to continue with the budget report.
Budget & Finance
Mr. Gering
reported that the occupancy trends are all positive, however he was confused as to why demand shows a 10% increase and revenues are triple that stating that they should be close to parallel.
Laurie
Paolicelli requested staff member Tina Fuller to research why.
NEW BUSINESS
Big Shots/ Bob Gibbons Events
Karen DeHart gave an update on NCAA’s decision to deny Big Shots’ and Bob
Gibbons
Tournament of Champions, usage of UNC facilities for their upcoming event. Ms. DeHart informed members that NCAA has been discussing these types of events (Bob Gibbons, Big Shots, etc.)
since 2009. NCAA’s decision only affects men’s teams and their logic is that these events give division 1 schools a recruiting advantage over divisions 2 & 3. Ms. DeHart explained that
this decision does not affect NCHSAA … Ms. DeHart also stated that Big Shots and Bob Gibbons would still be in the area.
Executive Directors Report
Laurie Paolicelli reported that
O. C. manager Frank Clifton inquired on what would be the best route to sit down with the towns, Carrboro and Hillsborough, to discuss the collection of occupancy receipts. Paolicelli
noted that hotels were full for both UNC and Duke graduation and confirmed with Laura Morgan that commencement ceremonies went well. Next year both schools will hold commencement the
same weekend.
Sales Update
Linda Ekeland reported that a temporary contract has been given to Nancy Pierce to help with group meeting sales. Ms. Pierce is a CMP (certified meeting
planner) and recognized in the industry. She will be exploring the gaming industry, RTP and will follow up on the religious market. Ms Ekeland reported that April was a very good month
for both the VB and the hotels; sales surpassed budged expectations
OLD BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
With no other business to discuss, Dave Gephart motioned to adjourn the meeting,
Lee seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
_______________________________ _________________________________
Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by:
Laurie Paolicelli,
Executive Director Dave Gephart, Chairman
________________________________ _________________________________
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