Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCH-OCVB minutes 052009Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board May 20, 2009 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitor’s Bureau Board met at Maple View Agricultural Center 3111 Dairyland Rd, Hillsborough Boa rd Members Present: Mark Sherburne, Barry Jacobs, Rick Strunk, Frances Dancy, Bob Ward, Greg Overbeck, Linda Convissor, Dave Gephart, Jim Parker Members Absent: Jim Ward, Creston Woods, Jon Wilner, Dwight Bassett and James Harris Staff Present: Laurie Paolicelli, Linda Ekeland, Brad Broadwell and Tina Fuller Guests: Bruce Wlach, Jennings Co. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Mark Sherburne, Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m. WELCOME Chair Sherburne welcomed members and guests. Sherburne gave the floor to Laurie Paolicelli who briefly informed the board on the Maple View Agricultural Center. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Sherburne requested a motion to approve the April 15 2009 minutes. Dave Gephart so moved with Frances Dancy seconding. With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as written. REPORTS Budget & Finance Finance Chair Bob Ward reported that income is still lagging. Ward also reported that interest is not added in a traditional manner and that we are on target with the current amount. He also reported that some of the accounts are expensed at 100% of the budget. Ward then reviewed the occupancy reports with board members stating that March is the worst month so far. Visitor Bureau Executive Director Paolicelli commented that governments and corporations are not traveling; however, the social visitors are (weddings etc.). Paolicelli also commented that occupancy receipts should reach the projected $900,000 if we stay status quo to last year’s collections. Paolicelli reported that the demand for rooms during graduation was not there. Board member Greg Overbeck stated that the restaurants did well Saturday and Sunday during graduation but not Friday. Paolicelli stated that downtown businesses need to ban together and get town officials involved to promote Fridays during big weekend events. She also commented that the Visitor Bureau can market the brand but not make the sale. Board member Rick Strunk reported that during the basketball championships attendance was down. Most came just for the games then left. Paolicelli stated she may need to get with the Chambers to discuss bringing more business in. Chair Sherburne gave the floor to EDC Director Brad Broadwell for an update on the County budget. Broadwell reported that the county is looking to cut more than the 10% that was originally asked. Broadwell proposed that the Visitor Bureau take on the Arts Commission stating that the Arts Commission overlaps some of the services - as far as driving revenues is concerned- that are provided by the Visitor Bureau such as the website, advertising and mail pieces. Broadwell also proposed that the Visitor Bureau absorb some of the costs that go along with that position. Discussion ensued with key point issues as: Staffing (current staff or add staff) Funding (grants, VB budget) Commission’s Board members (merging with current VB board members) Commissioner and Board member Barry Jacobs stated that the BOCC would have to approve the consolidation and that he does not foresee that happening this budget cycle; however it may happen by next Calendar year. He also stated that the BOCC may not agree on the current budget cuts and may request more which then might allow for the consolidation to be presented at that time. Marketing Marke ting Chair Rick Strunk reiterated on the marketing strategy of staying close to home and introduced [Barry Jacobs’s] idea of advertising on GoDuke.com. Paolicelli explained that the thought process behind this was that we are losing Tarheel fans to border cities, but Duke fans will stay in Chapel Hill. Bruce Wlach with Jennings took the floor to give a year-end update and overview of GoDuke.com. Wlach presented a PowerPoint depicting Jennings efforts throughout the year. Topics included the annual media plan, promotional support, website upgrades, social media, upcoming efforts, campaign recognition and other highlights. Discussion ensued including ways to measure ROI from advertisements; affordability on our hotel rooms; showing more diversity in pictures placed in advertisements & VB website and a video competition to place on UTube and link to the VB website. Wlach informed members that the approximate cost for a banner ad on GoDuke.com would be about $1200. He then presented the proposed ads. OLD BUSINESS Mark Sherburne informed board members that he has met with each county commissioner on a one-on-one basis to give an overview of what the Bureau does. He reported that they were very supportive. Dave Gephart informed that one of the bands playing at Hog Days is the Battle of the Bands winner – Hot Rooster. He also reported that the weather was a challenge for the Spring Garden Tour, however, overall they had a good turn out. NEW BUSINESS Barry Jacobs reported that a new gymnastics studio just opened in Orange County. He also reported that the new 24,000 sq. ft. state of the art Animal Services building would open on June 1st. Hillsborough requested a 1% occupancy tax increase ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Laurie Paolicelli thanked the VB staff for their hard work and dedication ADJOURNMENT With no other business to discuss, Chair Sherburne requested a motion to adjourn. Frances Dancy so moved with Rick Strunk seconding. With all in favor the meeting was adjourned at 9:22 a.m. _______________________________ _________________________________ Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by: Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director Mark Sherburne, Chair ________________________________ _________________________________ Date Date