The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCHOC Visitors Bureau minutes 082119 For Approval September 18, 2019 Chapel Hill/ Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Meeting August 21, 2019 The Chapel/Orange County Visitors Bureau met at Hyatt Place Southern Village 3690 S . Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Board Members Present : Penny Rich , Lydia Lavelle, Shannan Campbell , Annette Stone, Andrew Strickland , David Brooks, Mark Sherburne, Anthony Carey, Mark Bell , Kayla Dempsey, Pam Hemminger, Tanya Moore, Matt Gladdek, Libbie Hough Not Present : Katie Murray, Tim Hoke, Rosemary Waldorf, Jeff Strickler Staff Attendance : Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera Also present : Steve Brantley, Director of Orange County Economic Development; Sarah Paris , Alliance for Historic Hillsborough , DR Bryant, Southern Village Developer, Sam Vadgama , GM Residence Inn Call to Order Chair Anthony Carey called the meeting to order at 8 : 05 . He thanked the group for being back for a new year and asked for introductions by all . DR Bryant, developer with the Hyatt Hotel , welcomed group to the Hyatt . Approval of Minutes Chair Carey requested a motion to approve the June 19, 2019 minutes . Penny Rich so moved and David Brooks seconded the motion . With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted . Nomination Committee Report Mark Sherburne reviewed what board positions are currently open including an opening from the Chapel Hill /Carrboro Chamber of Commerce . Rosemary Waldorf is currently in position but will be vacating early . Sherburne asked that Dixon Pitt be considered as a nomination with ultimate approval by the Board of Orange County Commissioners . Dixon has a lot of experience with development and special events and serves with Bryan Properties and worked closely with Waldorf and DR Bryan . Another board opening is the Orange County hotelier seat currently held by Andrew Strickland who has left his Orange County hotelier position . Sam Vadgama of Residence Inn Chapel Hill is being recommended for consideration . The third opening is appointed by Town of Chapel Hill Economic Development , Annette Spring Council of Mama Dip' s is the recommendation . She would bring Orange County hospitality heritage and a strong food ie/ restaurateur background to the board . The fourth opening is Town of Chapel Hill appointed . Currently, Town Council member Racheal Schaevitz is on board but due to time conflict, would like Mayor Pam Hemminger to take the seat . All candidates are currently in the application process . Mayor Lavelle reminded that diversity on the board is important . Committee agreed . Chair Carey agreed . Chair Carey made a motion to officially recommend to the commissioners the prospective board members for them to consider and approve . Mark Bell so moved Carey' s motion . With all members in favor, the motion was approved . Finance Report Commissioner Rich reported that occupancy tax collection was up 5 % over last year . She thanked staff for ending the last fiscal year with a balanced budget . She reviewed the budget breakout for 2019- 2020 and reminded that the majority of the budget is allocated to advertising and marketing; staff and then operations . She thanked the hotels and industry for an impressive June and July, typically a shoulder season but months that are now seeing growth . Executive Directors Report Laurie Paolicelli led the board through a comprehensive tourism strategy the Visitors Bureau will implement in fiscal year 2019/20 , The presentation included an overview of budget and expenditures, overriding goals, advertising, public relations, sales benchmarks and community engagement through events, and related partnership . See attached Strategic Plan . A question and answer session ensued . Lydia Lavelle asked that Orange County' s occupancy tax contributions ( highlighted on budget page ) go into more detail to show that Carrboro and Hillsborough were included in those numbers . Paolicelli agreed to modify page to show further explanation . Guest Presentation Orange County Economic Development Director Steve Brantley shared what ' s new in Orange County' s economic development queue . Swiss industrial equipment maker ABB plans to add more than 400 jobs in Orange County by consolidating its distribution and manufacturing hub near Buckhorn Road . Brantley said other projects are in the pipeline and he remains optimistic about the activity currently in place through his department . ED also has and advisory board of 10 members including Anthony Carey and previously Mark Sherburne, who also are board members for the Visitors Bureau . ED helps small businesses with the county' s loan and grant programs . ED has had a busy year with more inquiries asking about which sites are open , buildings, funds and resources . More businesses are calling and business recruitment is positive . County is looking to improve our product with commercial office space , either new or renovations, new site for light industrial off Eubanks Road and Launch Program . Commissioner Rich stated these businesses are utilizing Durham Tech as well . Chair Carey said community colleges can help train people for the new jobs the new companies will bring in , and new trade jobs . This will help us connect with RTP . Mark Sherburne commented that this is good for weekday hotel business . Sales Report Sales Director Marlene Barbera reviewed last year' s numbers (see strategic plan , page 31 ) . She also presented what is upcoming this fiscal year and tradeshows she will be attending . • CONNECT Marketplace - Aug 2019 . Just confirmed 45 one - on - one appointments with planners • MPI Business Exchange Exhibitor Sept 2019 • Destination SE - Oct 2019 • IPEC . Jan 2020 • Rendezvous South , March 2020 • AENC- Winter 2020 and spring 2020 conference . Feb and May • March Madness Venue showcase for UNC Planners . March 2020 She also shared some hotel staffing changes in the market; the GM for the Courtyard is now the GM at the AC Marriott . And that the previous GM at the AC Marriott, Andrew Strickland , is now back with Summit Hospitality . She also mentioned that the Franklin Hotel sold for $ 20 million and will become a Graduate Hotel . They will remain as the Franklin Hotel, just not a Hilton property anymore , until they fully renovate in 2020 and convert to a Graduate Hotel . Also , the Sheraton Chapel Hill and the Courtyard Marriott have sold to Atma Hotel Group , The Sheraton will undergo a $ 10 - 12 million - dollar renovation next year . New Business/ Roundtable • Matt Gladdek shared that a new hotel/condo project is possibly going to be built new to the old town hall . 140 rooms . See related story for details . https : //www . newsobserver. com / news/ local/counties/orange - county/article234218302 . html • Mayor Hemminger shared that the CVS tower has been sold and will turn into an entrepreneurial space . The new owners are required to invest money into the community . The Carolina Ale house is being renovated and will bring 80 new employees to downtown . They are working on re - doing the parking situation behind the Courtyard . Other big projects right now are ; Wegman 's, Carraway Village and UNC Hospital Eastowne Drive project . 2 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting August 21 , 2019 • Tanya Moore shared that there are no updates on when the UNC visitor center will open . • Shannan Campbell reported that Hillsborough has their V mural . Tourism funds sponsored the project and they are looking to do another one . And looking at places now . The theatre project is moving forward . Events upcoming include : Outlandish , Hog Day, River Park Concert Series which brought 5 - 61< folks into town . The Chamber has events on Sunday in hopes to bring business into town Sun -Tue . David Brooks asked if Riverwalk is open to bikes . Shannan said that Ayr Mount owns that portion of Riverwalk and does not want bikes on that portion of the trail . Also that Orange County Speedway Trail now connects to Occoneechee Mountain trail and is about 2 . 14 miles long . • Sarah Parris reported on the Outlandish event which is a weekend long event . They have secured grants and sponsorships to support event . This is a Scottish themed festival with a focus on Hillsborough which is featured in the series . • Annette Stone shared that there have been several restaurants that have closed recently, but new ones are coming . The former Milltown restaurant now has an occupant and there are things happening at The Station , which won ' t be the same model . Coronato is now open . Also, everyone is trying to collaborate to promote the festivals . That there is always something going on in Carrboro . Next meeting : Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at The Residence Inn Chapel Hill. Meeting adjourned am . l L Mi tes revs wed by : Laurie Paolicel ' Exe tive Director Date hA Minutes acc ted by : Anthony Carey, Chairman gll $ IIR Date 3 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting August 21 , 2019