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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCH-OCVB minutes 061709Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board June 17, 2009 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau Board met at Hosted by the Ackland Arts Museum E. Franklin and S. Columbia streets, Chapel Hill Board Members Present: Creston Woods, Jim Parker, Greg Overbeck, Dave Gephart, Lee Pavao, Bob Ward, Frances Dancy, Dwight Bassett, and Jim Ward Members Absent: Mark Sherburne, Jon Wilner, Barry Jacobs, Linda Convissor, and James Harris Staff Present: Linda Ekeland and Tina Fuller Staff Absent: Laurie Paolicelli Guests: Amanda Hughes, Director of External Affairs, Ackland Museum CALL TO ORDER Mr. Creston Woods, filling in for Mark Sherburne as Chair called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. WELCOME Woods informed board members that he and Linda Ekeland were filling in for Board Chair, Mark Sherburne and Visitor Bureau Executive Director Laurie Paolicelli whom were both on vacation. Woods then introduced Amanda Hughes with the Ackland Museum. Ms. Hughes welcomed board members. Hughes informed that the museum is an academic unit of UNC, which receives funding partly from the state of North Carolina, endowments from the William Hayes Ackland Trust Fund, raised funds and government grants. Hughes stated that their principle audience is the University, which has grown from serving 300 undergrads to the current 7000, as part of their core studies. With a staff of 22 full and part-time employees, the Museum also serves approximately 6000 K-12 students. And to serve the broader community, the Ackland host’s music performances, lectures, lunch Yoga, Art after Dark and currently offers 10 plus programs a month. Hughes informed members that the museum currently focuses on 15,000 works of art, of which 8000 are on paper and all are from private philanthropy. In answering a few questions, Hughes stated that one membership benefit is to have personal art pieces evaluated (not value assessment) and private events are welcomed with the exception of weddings. In closing, Hughes offered brochures and welcomed anyone wanting a tour. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Creston Woods requested a motion to approve the May 20, 2009 minutes. Dave Gephart so moved with Rick Strunk seconding. With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as written. REPORTS Budget & Finance Bob Ward reported that occupancy for April was down from last year and reiterated on the blessing of the extra 1% otherwise the 8.88% increase on receipts we did have would be -24.35% from last year. Creston Woods commented that information he recently heard from Randy Smith (Smith Travel) is that the market projection [nationally] is way down; Chicago is currently 30% off, Vegas 40% off. Ward continued reporting that we only have May and June left to meet budgeted revenue. Responding to a comment made about football season, Creston Woods stated that the Carolina Inn is not seeing the same demand as last year. Switching to the May & YTD budget report, Ward reported that everything is in line for this time of year [end of budget year]. Ward reported that Laurie Paolicelli would give a full report at the August board meeting, on budget items that need attention. Executive Directors Report In lieu of the normal Executive Directors report, Linda Ekeland, Sales Director for the Bureau referred board members to a PPT handout depicting an overview of group sales for the year. Ekeland reported that all objectives are down- group inquiries, definite bookings, room nights and leads generated. Ekeland informed that with the current state of the economy, next year’s goals would stay the same as this years. Ekeland spoke on the success of recent FAMs (FAMiliarization of hotels for meeting planners), blitz’s and tradeshows and on updating the meeting planners guide. Ekeland spoke on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges for her position and the Bureau stating that a major concern is competing with Durham’s and Raleigh’s expanding hotel/room room inventory which allows for a lower room rate and more meeting space. Ekeland reported that comments are usually good about Chapel Hill, however, rates, limited meeting space and request for space other than hotels have been an issue. Discussion ensued on the awareness and requirements of meeting space and rates of hotel rooms resulting in: Non-competitive rates for sports and government visitors Not enough rooms Out-dated Brands (hotels w/ outside entry to rooms) Possibility of a Solution Center location in Orange County New hotel in Hillsborough a possibility to accommodate patients/relatives staying at future hospital in Hillsborough New conference coordinator at UNC NEW BUSINESS DMANC (Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina) presented the Visitor’s Bureau with seven awards for this year’s publications at the Annual DMANC meeting in Concord, NC. Jon Wilner is retiring from the Arts Center in Carrboro OLD BUSINESS No old business ADJOURNMENT With no other business to discuss, Creston Woods requested a motion to adjourn. Frances Dancy so moved with Greg Overbeck seconding. With all in favor the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m. _______________________________ _________________________________ Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by: Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director Mark Sherburne, Chair ________________________________ _________________________________ Date Date