HomeMy WebLinkAboutCH-OCVB minutes 022008Minutes
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board
February 20, 2008
The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board met at the Ernie Williamson
Athletic Center on Skipper Bowles Dr. at 8:00 a.m.
Board Members Present: Lee Pavao, Frances Dancy, Bob Ward,
Linda Convissor, Rachel Hawkins, Rick Strunk, Moses Carey, Jr.,
Mark Sherburne, Jim Ward, Liz Parham, Creston Woods, Rick Strunk,
Dave Gephart
Members Absent: Jon Wilner
Others Present: Roger Jennings & Bruce Wlach, Jennings Co.; Willie Best,
Orange County
Staff Present: Linda Ekeland, Patty Griffin, and Tina Fuller
Staff Absent: Laurie Paolicelli
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Lee Pavao, Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:09 a.m.
WELCOME TO MEMBERS AND GUESTS
Chair Pavao thanked Dick Baddour, Athletic Director, UNC and Rick Steinbacher,
Marketing Associate Athletic Director, UNC for hosting our meeting. Chair Pavao also
welcomed Roger Jennings and Bruce Wlach of Jennings Co. as well as Willie Best,
Orange County Assistant Manager.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Pavao motioned to approve the January 16, 2007 minutes. Board member Frances
Dancy pointed out a misspelling of her name on page 2. Chair Pavao recognized and
motioned to approve the minutes after the correction. With all board members in
agreement, motion was carried unanimously.
UNC SPORTS UPDATE
Chair Pavao introduced Dick Baddour. Mr. Baddour commented on the tremendous
turnout and steady stream of visitors to the Museum. He compared the Museum to the
2
Morehead Planetarium. He stressed that there is no charge for admission; that it belongs
to the people. Its a mix between traditional 1974 and current trends.
Mr. Baddour thanked board members and the Visitor Bureau for their efforts in keeping
high school championships here in our community. NCAA limits the support that UNC
can give to high school athletics.
Baddour briefly talked on the success of 5th Qtr due to the collaboration of many
organizations in the community.
Baddour spoke on several projects in the works; renovating Koury Natatorium, sports
medicine facility, enlarging the wrestling facility, renovating Finley Golf Course and the
Kenan Building renovation which includes the proposal to plant 1000 trees.
Baddour spoke on game time scheduling. He confirmed that it is influenced by several
factors, ACCs media contract and how well the team is doing. UNC really has no say in
what time games will be played. In football, if the game will be broadcasted, times may
not be set until as late as a week prior to game day. Only two game time requests by UNC
for Basketball were granted this season. Womens basketball game times are set well in
advance. Preferred game times for all are afternoon and evening.
Baddour requested help in marketing the Womens BB team.
Baddour answered questions from board members on ticket sales/campaigns, parking, a
womens basketball museum and scheduling home games. Discussion ensued on the
Visitor bureaus and the UNC Athletic Depts role in marketing/promoting area
attractions and hotels to visiting fans.
REPORTS
Chair Pavao informed board members that the Board of County Commissioners approved
the requested 1% occupancy tax increase and begins budget year 2008/2009. The tax will
give the Bureau approximately $300,000 more in revenue to use for marketing Orange
County.
Executive Directors Report
Linda Ekeland on behalf of Laurie Paolicelli gave the Executive Directors report.
Ekeland informed board members that Orange County hotels are holding their own with
the current ADR and the demand remains strong. Overall, the market is soft due to new
inventory, the mild recession and Durhams hotel explosion. Board members and Orange
County Lodging Association members Sherburne and Woods concurred.
Ekeland also informed members on three community events we are hosting; a hotel
safety seminar in collaboration with the Chapel Hill Police Dept. and hotel staff on
3
February 26th, a water conservation summit in collaboration with OWASA and
hospitality industry on March 5th; and support for the Countys waste reduction survey.
Sales Report
Linda Ekeland continued with the sales report. Board members were informed on current
sales campaigns The March Sales Blitz targeting Charlotte to promote summer
business, The Janet Kagen, Public Art 260 2008 Conference in April - this 2-day
conference is expected to produce 120 room nights and a HSMAI trade show in Chicago.
Linda also informed board members that a bid was submitted to host the NCACVB fall
2008 meeting in Hillsborough.
Communications
Patty updated board members on current media events. The 2008 Visitors Guide will be
76-80 pages vs.67 in the 2007 guide. It should go to the printers by next week. The 2008
Visitors Map has gone to press. A hospitality training class was recently conducted with
12 participants. Two hospitality training bus tours are scheduled for May and September.
We recently hosted a travel writer from Air Tran Magazine; the travel writer is featuring
the local music scene and The Carolina Inn in the April issue.
Discussion ensued on the quantity of 2007 visitors guides left. Patty explained that not as
many large quantities were requested as were last year. Patty also explained that she
would be sending the guide to Welcome Centers and concurred that Alamance County
would be a good place to send as well.
Budget & Finance
Finance Committee Chair Moses Carey, Jr., informed the board that the budget is on
target. Revenue is a little behind due to the fund balance is not drawn down until the end
of the budget year. Mr. Carey accepted as presented.
NEW BUSINESS
Board member Rachel Hawkins updated other members on Hillsborough Chamber
business. Hog Day was not as profitable as in years past possibly due to the new location
of last years event. This years Hog Day will be held on June 21 st at Cameron Park
Elementary School. The committee is looking at prospective avenues to bring in more
profits. She also notified that a second car show would be held at the Occoneechee
Speedway on September 27th.
Mark Sherburne informed board members that hotel lodging is status quo.
4
Liz Parham informed members that there are plans to have a Chapel Hill Farmers Market
on Friday nights from 5-8 pm resulting from farmers needing an additional outlet.
Breweries and Live music will be an addition to this farmers market.
Two new businesses have opened in Chapel Hill
A suggestion was made to give our information out to the parents of kids that are
attending sports camps. Coaches could probably assist with the mailings.
Chair Pavao introduced new board member Dave Gephart representing the Alliance for
Historic Hillsborough.
The new website will launch in March.
OLD BUSINESS
Chair Pavao assured members that the February 4th Hillsborough meeting is behind us.
Assistant County Manager informed board members that they have 18 pplicants for the
EDC Director position They are looking at an April hiring date.
ADJOURNMENT
With all business of the Board completed Chair Pavao motioned to adjourn the meeting.
With all in favor, Chair Pavao adjourned the meeting at 9:35 a.m.
________________________________ _________________________________
Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by:
Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director Lee Pavao, Chair
________________________________ _________________________________
Date Date