The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCH-OCVB minutes 022002Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board February 20, 2002 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board met at 8:05 A.M. at the Aqueduct Conference Center, Mt. Carmel Church Road, Chapel Hill on February 20, 2002. Board Members Present: Creston Woods Pat Evans Missy Julian-Fox Frances Dancy Lawrence Walters Moses Carey, Jr. Nancy Davis Sam Hobgood Board Members Absent: Anne Loeb Bill Crowthers Staff Present: Joe Blake Betty Davis Guests: Dianne Reid Sandy Davis Emily Fisher (guest intern – Nancy Davis) CALL TO ORDER Chairman Creston Woods called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Mr. Woods opened the board meeting by welcoming Board Members and guests. Mr. Tom Tyson, General Manager of the Aqueduct Conference Center also welcomed guests and gave a brief overview of the Aqueduct Conference Center. Mr. Woods announced that Ms. Frances Dancy and Mr. Kevin Callaghan have been reappointed to serve another term on the Board. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Woods asked for approval of the minutes of the December 19, 2001 meeting as presented. Mr. Moses Carey made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Ms. Pat Evans seconded the motion. With all Board Members in agreement the minutes were approved as presented. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget and Finance Mr. Moses Carey, Jr. reported that income was below anticipated level for year-to-date. The shortfall in county occupancy tax receipts reflected the decline of occupancy during September due to the terrorists’ acts. All expenditures were within budget with the exceptions of rent and departmental supplies. The line item rent was over budget because of prepayment of two months rent through county line item transfer. Departmental supplies reflected expenses that were incurred earlier in the year than anticipated with no expectations of exceeding the year-end total in the category. The Visitors Bureau has received a request from the Orange County Commissioners to make a donation for the 250th Anniversary of Orange County celebration. Marketing Marketing Chair Lawrence Walters reported that the Bureau has launched it electronic newsletters with many positive comments already received regarding the e newsletter. The spring issue of “Happenings, Calendar of Events” is ready for distribution. The Visitors Bureau is now in negotiations with the Chapel Hill Herald regarding the cost of printing the quarterly publication of “Happenings.” Mr. Blake will share the information with Board Members as negotiations continue. National Tourism Week is May 4th through the 12th. The Visitors Bureau will request that all municipalities in Orange County prepare a proclamation declaring that week to be National Tourism Week. The summer promotion will use the same format as last summer’s promotion campaign. In January there were 15,000 visits to the Visitors Bureau’s website. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Joe Blake reported that he and Patty Griffin, Communications Director, met with the Chapel Hill News to discuss the full pull-out for National Tourism Week. Additional information will be distributed on the pull out as it becomes available. Mr. Blake told Board Members that the lodging industry’s economy was at it’s worst in September and October but is rebounding at this time in Chapel Hill/Orange County. For specific statistics contact Mr. Blake and those statistics will be provided upon request. Mr. Blake introduced the “Fact Sheet” to Board Members. On backside of sheet there are Orange County Travel & Tourism Statistics. A copy was distributed to each Board Member and guest in attendance. Mr. Blake stated that he had prepared some graphs and information for Dianne Reid, Director of Economic Development Commission for the State of the Local Economy Breakfast. If anyone is interested in any of the information or graphs contact Mr. Blake. Mr. Blake reported that he had spoke with Mr. Rick Strunk of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA). Mr. Strunk informed him that some of next year’s football championships games would be held outside of Chapel Hill due to the scheduling of UNC’s home football games. It was reported by Mr. Blake that the Blue Heaven Basketball Museum has moved from their original location with the intention of finding a location closer to downtown Chapel Hill. Mr. Blake stated that the Sheraton Chapel Hill has a new Director of Sales and Marketing, John Panko. The Siena Hotel has a new Director of Sales, Meredith Martin. Orange County will be celebrating its 250th Anniversary beginning with the kick-off September 9, 2002. A series of monthly events will take place commemorating the anniversary. Mr. Blake reported that the Classroom Hospitality Training Sessions took place on February 11th and eighteen front line hospitality personnel were in attendance. The Classroom Hospitality Training session has become popular and is receiving a lot of positive feedback from participants. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Woods reported to the Board the Visitors Services Group met early in February. Those attending the meeting were Joe Blake, Aaron Nelson, Robert Humphries, and Creston Woods. The group is in the process of getting organized and many misconceptions are being clarified. Mr. Woods reported that the move to the office space at 501 Franklin was moving forward. Mr. Blake will be meeting with Orange County Purchasing Director Pam Jones and Public Works Director Wilbert McAdoo for preparation for the renovation of the space. NEW BUSINESS Ms. Dianne Reid reminded Board Members and guests that the Tenth Annual State of the Local Economy would be March 5th at 8:00 A.M. at the William & Ida Friday Continuing Education Center. The Visitors Bureau has a table reserved and anyone who would like to attend should contact the Bureau to make reservations. Mr. Woods reported that the Downtown Chapel Hill Commission was restructuring the Board. Ex Officio Board Members will consist of a representative from UNC-CH, UNC Visitors Center, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau. Margaret Skinner is the Chairman with Dana McMahon serving as vice chair. Mr. Woods reported that Mayor Foy had made a request for a ten-minute presentation on key initiatives of the Visitors Bureau to the members of the Town of Chapel Hill Council Members. Mr. Woods, along with Mr. Blake will make the presentation (?date of ). Other Matters of the Board Mr. Blake stated that he had received a letter from the Governor thanking the Bureau for support in making the Official 2002 North Carolina Travel Guide a publication that makes it easy for potential travelers to plan vacations in North Carolina. In the MPI Carolina Blitz publication Chapel Hill is featured in an article entitled “Experience Chapel Hill/Orange County.” Mr. Blake is the current president of the Meeting Professional International organization, North Carolina Chapter Mr. Blake reported that The Carolina Inn would host the “Our State” conference the first week in August 2002. No other matters were brought before the Board for discussion. ADJOURNMENT With all business of the Board completed, Mr. Cary made the motion to adjourn the meeting with Ms. Evans seconding the motion. With all Board Members in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m. ________________________________ _________________________________ Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by: Joseph Blake, Executive Director Creston Woods, Chairman ___________________________ _____ _________________________________ Date Date board/minutes/feb 20 2002