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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCH-OCVB minutes 122000Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board December 20, 2000 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board met at 9 A.M. at the Aqueduct Conference Center in Chapel Hill. Board Members Present: Creston Woods Lee Pavao Rick Strunk Frances Dancy Anne Loeb Moses Carey, Jr. Kevin Callaghan Nancy Davis Board Members Absent: None Staff Present: Joe Blake Betty Davis Guests: Lawrence Walters CALL TO ORDER Chairman Creston Woods called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Mr. Woods welcomed board members and guest to the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Woods asked for approval of the minutes of the October 18, 2000 meeting as presented. Ms. Frances Dancy made the motion to accept the minutes as presented; Ms. Nancy Davis seconded the motion. With all Board Members being in agreement the minutes were approved as presented. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget and Finance Mr. Moses Carey reported that after a review of the financial report, the Bureau appeared to be within the budgeted projections for revenues and expenditures. It was noted that the line item for rent included billing for a two-month period. Mr. Blake pointed out that occupancy tax receipts for July through October were up almost 10% compared to the previous year’s occupancy tax receipts for same year-to-date period. Marketing Mr. Rick Strunk, Marketing Committee Chair, directed attention to the draft for the Request for Proposals for a marketing firm for the Bureau. After a brief discussion Mr. Strunk made a motion for the Board to accept and approve the draft as presented. Mr. Pavao seconded the motion. With all Board Members in agreement the motion was accepted. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Blake reported that work continues on Phase II of the website enhancements. It was noted that development of the prototype for the Plan Your Itinerary function was underway. Once completed the feature will allow site visitors to select the lodging accommodations, attractions and events of their choice. These will be saved into an individual file from which the user can print and/or email an individualized itinerary. Mr. Blake announced that board members would receive an email when the prototype was completed to provide feedback. Other minor changes and enhancements were noted as well. Mr. Blake announced to the Board Members that the Chapel Hill Downtown Commission Welcome Center moved temporarily into the lower level of the Franklin Street Post Office at 179 East Franklin Street. It is anticipated that the Downtown Commission Welcome Center will move to the first level in the near future. Mr. Blake announced that the Chapel Hill Museum recently opened a gift shop at the museum featuring Chapel Hill memorabilia and gifts that may be purchased by visitors. The hours of operation for the gift shop are the same as the museum hours. The Blue Heaven Museum located in the Chapel Hill North Shopping Center has officially opened. Mr. Blake stated that the new attraction features exhibits focusing on UNC Chapel Hill Basketball. There is an admission charge. Mr. Blake reported that La Fiesta del Pueblo would remain in Chapel Hill for the upcoming year. The event will be held September 8th and 9th, 2001. Mr. Blake stated that Ms. Winkie LaForce and a grassroots group of citizens are investigating the potential for a road race in Chapel Hill in conjunction with the La Fiesta event. The group is in the process of developing a steering committee and has planned meetings with appropriate Town officials to discuss the idea. Mr. Blake will share information as it becomes available regarding the road race. The photo contest co-sponsored by the Bureau and the Herald will begin January 1st, 2001 and continue for three months. Patty Griffin, Communications Manager, will coordinate the contest along with a representative from the Herald. Complete contest rules are available from our office. Mr. Blake announced that the Bureau would be closed December 22, 25, 26 and January 1 in accordance with the County’s Holiday schedule. Other announcements included the opening of the Carrboro Century Community Center. Several of the town’s offices are now housed in the center and meeting spaces will be available for the general public. The center has a director who will coordinate activities at the center. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Woods announced that Lawrence Walters and Missy Julian-Fox appointments to the Board were in the process of being confirmed by the Orange County Commissioners. Miss Julian-Fox will represent the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Walters will represent the Orange County Lodging Association. Ms. Nancy Davis’ first full term will expire December 31, 2000. It is anticipated that the University will reappoint Ms. Davis to a second term on the Board to represent UNC. Mr. Lee Pavao, representing the Town of Chapel Hill, has completed two terms on the Board. The Chapel Hill Town Council appointed Ms. Pat Evans to represent the town on the Visitors Bureau Board pending approval by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Rick Strunk reported the success of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Football Championships during the first weekend in December. Mr. Strunk reported that press coverage was excellent with the 4A game being televised on statewide cable. The “Shaping Orange County’s Future” report documents were discussed by Mr. Blake and Board Members. Mr. Carey explained that the report was the culmination of three year’s work of a task force comprised of a diverse group of Orange County citizens. The objective of the project is to develop a long-term strategic plan for the County. It was requested that each Board Member review the document and forward any feedback to Mr. Blake for discussion at the next board meeting. ADJOURNMENT With all business of the Board completed, Mr. Woods made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Dancy seconded the motion. With all Board Members in agreement, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. ________________________________ _________________________________ Minutes Drafted by: Minutes Accepted by: Joseph Blake, Executive Director Creston Woods, Chairman ________________________________ _________________________________ Date Date