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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCH-OCVB minutes 022107Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board February 21, 2007 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board met at The Franklin Hotel, 311 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. Board Members Present: Lee Pavao Moses Carey, Jr. Jim Ward Rick Strunk Linda Convissor Creston Woods Bill Crowther Frances Dancy Bob Ward Mark Sherburne Jon Wilner Liz Parham (ex-officio) Board Members Absent: Rachel Hawkins Staff Present: Laurie Paolicelli Dianne Reid Betty Davis Linda Ekeland Jamal Briggs Guests: Jim Steadman – American Airlines Dan Dunlop – Jennings Agency Bruce Wlach – Jennings Agency CALL TO ORDER Mr. Lee Pavao, Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:05a.m. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Mr. Pavao opened the meeting by welcoming Board Members and guests. Mr. Pavao introduced Mr. Jim Steadman representing American Airlines. Mr. Steadman gave a brief overview of American Airlines serving the Triangle area. He also recognized the benefits of a partnership with the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau. Mr. Pavao recognized Mr. Dan Dunlop and Mr. Bruce Wlach of the Jennings Agency. Mr. Dunlop expressed appreciation to the board members and staff for selecting Jennings as the agency to represent the Bureau. Introduced next by Mr. Pavao was Jamal Briggs. Mr. Briggs has been hired to assist visitors to the Visitors Center on Saturdays. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Pavao asked for approval of the January 17, 2007 Board Meeting minutes. Mr. Jon Wilner made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Moses Carey seconded the motion. With all Board Members in agreement, the motion was carried unanimously to approve minutes from both meetings. COMMITTEE REPORTS Marketing Committee Mr. Rick Strunk, Marketing Committee Chair, thanked the advertising agency search committee and the board for their choice of the Jennings Agency. Mr. Strunk presented booklets to those present entitled “North Carolina High School Athletic Association – An Overview.” Strunk talked about the partnership the Bureau shared with the NCHSAA and the advantages to our community resulting from the organization’s presence in Chapel Hill. Budget & Finance Mr. Moses Carey, Finance Chair, reported the Bureau’s revenues and expenditures were good and occupancy tax receipts were up. Mr. Carey made a motion to accept the financial report as presented for January 2007. Ms. Frances Dancy seconded the motion. With all Board Members in agreement, the motion was carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Ms. Paolicelli reported a major issue was to move forward in the pursuit of additional funding to promote tourism in Orange County. Other points in Ms. Paolicelli’s report were trolley services for Orange County and partnerships with American Airlines and Air Express. Ms. Paolicelli stated that in March she was planning a motor coach step-on tour for Orange County officials including new county employees. Ms. Paolicelli asked Mr. Creston Woods to present an update on The Carolina Inn. Mr. Woods stated the property was given to the University in 1935. The Carolina Inn is owned by the University of North Carolina and is managed by Doubletree. The Inn, owned by the state, under State Statue entitles it to tax exemption. Mr. Woods stated that guests staying at the Inn on university business were not charged occupancy tax. Guests staying at the Inn on non-related University business were subject to occupancy tax. In further discussion it was disclosed that any “University event” was not taxed. NEW BUSINESS Chair Pavao disclosed that he and Ms. Paolicelli were working with local representatives of properties to determine their support of a 1% increase in occupancy tax. It is planned to make a request before the Board of County Commissioners to present the request for the 1% increase in occupancy tax. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Moses Carey stated that the By-Laws Committee had a series of meeting and were on track with some recommendations to update the by-laws. At this time the committee has not completed the task. Mr. Carey stated it was anticipated that the committee would present recommendations at the March board meeting. OTHER MATTERS OF THE BOARD None ADJOURNMENT With all business of the Board completed, Mr. Pavao asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Bill Crowther made the motion to adjourn and seconded by Mr. Carey. With all Board Members in agreement, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m. ________________________________ _________________________________ Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by: Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director Lee Pavao, Chair ________________________________ _________________________________ Date Date