HomeMy WebLinkAboutCH-OCVB minutes 081804Minutes
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board
August 18, 2004
The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board met at The Siena Hotel, 1505 East Franklin Street, Chapel
Hill on August 18, 2004.
Board Members Present: Edith Wiggins
Rick Strunk
Frances Dancy
Bill Crowther
Lee Pavao
Anne Loeb
Moses Carey
Linda
Convissor
Kevin Callaghan
Mark Sherburne
Board Members Absent: Lawrence Walters (responded)
Sam Hobgood (responded)
Staff Present: René Campbell
Betty
Davis
Guests: Dianne Reid
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Kevin Callaghan called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
Mr. Callaghan welcomed Board Members and guest.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chair Callaghan asked for approval of the minutes of the June 16, 2004 meeting. Ms. Frances Dancy made
a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mr. Rick Strunk seconded the motion. With all Board Members in agreement, the motion was carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget and Finance
Mr. Moses Carey, Finance chair, provided the approved Orange County budget figures to all Board Members. Mr. Carey stated that at this time revenue
and expenditures were in line and he did not foresee any problems with the budget.
Ms. René Campbell reviewed the appropriated fund balance with Board Members. After a discussion
of the current appropriated fund balance Mr. Carey suggested that she and Dianne Reid, Economic Development Director, meet with Ken Chavious, Orange County Finance Director to discuss
issues surrounding the present state of the Visitors Bureau fund balance. Mr. Carey requested that the results of the meeting with the Finance Director be presented at the October Board
Meeting.
Marketing
Mr. Rick Strunk, Marketing Chair, reported that Sheer Associates would no longer be the “agency of record” for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau.
Services that were provided by Sheer will now be coordinated in-house. It is anticipated that the termination of the contract will generate savings in the advertising and publications
2004-2005 budget. Mr. Strunk stated that this change would not affect the Marketing Plan; the Plan would continue to be executed as written.
Mr. Strunk reported that “Happenings, Calendar
of Events,” published in cooperation with the Durham Herald, would be discontinued. Ms. Campbell stated that after review of the publication it was determined that it was not cost-efficient.
Also, given the lead-time needed for publication, the Bureau web site calendar provides more up to date information. The Durham-Herald requested that the Bureau consider funding one
more issue of “Happenings” since advertisers in the “Calendar of Events” were signed a one-year contract. Ms. Campbell suggested switching to a wedding guide publication since the Chamber
of Commerce has discontinued their guide. A wedding guide is now in the planning phase.
Ms. Campbell and Mr. Strunk discussed with Board Members the idea of a “food adventure” that
would replace the winter (Wonderful, Whimsical Winter) and summer (Great Summer Getaways) campaigns. Also discussed was the idea of advertising to UNC-CH alumni for return visits to
Chapel Hill. Staff is presently checking on advertising rates for the alumni publication, Carolina Review.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Campbell explained the new format of the Director’s Report. Although the format has changed, the same material is listed. She explained that the statistics
in her report would reflect the most current and accurate information available at the time of the report. Ms. Campbell also expressed a desire for the Bureau to start gathering additional
information from visitor inquiries. The additional information gathered would enhance data for visitor tracking that would be used for research in deciding future tourism promotions
and advertising campaigns.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business was scheduled for this meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Rick Strunk, Board Member, representing the North Carolina High School
Athletic Association, along with Ms. Campbell, discussed the NCHSAA/CHOCVB marketing plan for NCHSAA events scheduled at UNC. After an explanation of the marketing plan and discussion
by the Board Members it was agreed upon that the plan would serve and be beneficial to both the NCHSAA and the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau.
Other Matters of the Board
and Announcements
Ms. Campbell discussed with the Board meeting with different Orange County/Chapel Hill governing entities. The purpose would be to promote public awareness of the
Visitors Bureau promotions and initiatives underway and the economic impact of tourism for the citizens of Orange County. A discussion ensued and the Board was unanimous in the decision
that her presence at meeting and town and county functions would increase awareness and visibility of the Visitors Bureau.
Ms. Campbell discussed the issue of road/street signage
to guide visitors to the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau. She would like to increase the number of visitors who come to the Visitors Bureau to obtain information in order
to increase the amount of time people spend in the County. She has contacted the North Carolina Department of Transportation to research state guidelines for obtaining directional signs
for the Visitors Bureau, both off the interstate and in Chapel Hill.
ADJOURNMENT
With all business of the Board completed, Mr. Lee Pavao made the motion to adjourn the meeting with
a second to the motion by Mr. Moses Carey. With all Board Members in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 a.m.
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Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by:
René Campbell Lee Pavao, Interim Chair
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