HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-18 CHOCVB Agenda CHAPEL HILL/ORANGE COUNTY VISITORS' BUREAU
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
8:00 A.M.-9:30 A.M.
June 18, 2024
GRADUATE HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN CHAPEL HILL
I. Call to Order DR Bryan, Chair
II. Introductions DR Bryan
III. Approval of Minutes DR Bryan
IV. Visit Raleigh CEO Denny Edwards
Dennis Edwards, President and CEO of Visit Raleigh, was named to the Business North Carolina's
2025 Power List as one of the state's most influential leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.
He has been in that role since 2007, overseeing a staff of 35 and a budget of$11.2 million. He is also
the current chair of the North Carolina Travel & Tourism Board
V. Executive Directors Report Laurie Paolicelli, Director
Tourism year-end; upcoming initiatives and business
Budget 2025/26
VI. Community Updates Board Members
VII. New Business DR Bryan, Chair
VIII. Adjournment
Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
Advisory Board Meeting
Hyatt Place at Southern Village
May 21, 2025
8:00—9:30 AM
Board Members Present: Craig Lloyd, Wendy Smith, Matt Hughes, Karen DeHart—Chair, Sally Greene,
Heidi Werner Dawson, David Putnam, DR Bryan—Vice Chair, Creston Woods, Randee Haven-O'Donnell,
Ben Marklin, Meredith Saybe, Jon Hartman-Brown, Allison Reid
Not Present: Paris Miller-Foushee, Lisa Kaylie
Staff Attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera, Hannah Hemphill, Katie Murray—OC Arts
Commission
Guests: Ivy Taylor—UNC Director of Local Relations, Carter Hubbard—Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership,
Mary Jane Nirdlinger—Town of Chapel Hill Interim Manager
Call to Order
Karen DeHart called the meeting to order 8:09 AM.
Round Table Introductions
Approval of Minutes
Karen DeHart requested a motion to approve the minutes from the April 16, 2025 board meeting. Matt Hughes
made a motion to approve the minutes for both meetings and Sally Greene seconded the motion. With all
members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted.
Visitors Bureau Updates
1. Places and Spaces Meeting Videos
o The Visitors Bureau has updated the meeting spaces videos. Marlene Barbera showed the
Graduate Chapel Hill and Friday Conference Center videos.
2. Update on MexTour2025
o Overview:
■ This year's major event: Mexican Nationals League vs. Turkey on June 10.
■ First non-European international event hosted.
■ Venue capacity: 55,000 seats; currently 17,000 tickets sold.
■ The Mexican National team will be taking over the Siena
■ The Turkish National team will be at the Weston due to dietary needs
o Marketing and Community Engagement
■ Marketing budget: Approximately$100,000 spent on English and Spanish promotions.
■ Collaborations with Latino community stakeholders and downtown businesses.
• Challenges identified:
• Latino community hesitant due to fears around public gatherings.
• Many Latino staff members at local restaurants reluctant to attend despite
cultural ties to the team.
■ Hired PR consultant Pablo Vega to engage Catholic and Latino communities.
For Approval June 18, 2025
■ Strong desire within community but lacking assurances about safety and law
enforcement support.
o Safety and Law Enforcement
■ Law enforcement and public safety teams (including UNC Public Safety and local
police) are aware and involved.
• Concerns about guaranteeing safety have been raised by community members and
parishioners; no absolute guarantees possible.
■ POTUS statement on 2026 World Cup emphasized safety and no deportations, but
skepticism remains locally.
o Operational Challenges
■ Coordination with UNC for parking and tailgating rules is complex.
■ Tailgating is only permitted after 5 p.m., but MLS advertised 4 p.m., causing confusion.
■ Issues with alcohol service due to local ABC regulations:
• Major sponsor Grand Centenario Tequila unable to serve freely due to
regulations.
• Ongoing discussions with MLS and legal advisors to find possible solutions for
private boxes or seated areas.
o Invitation and Community Involvement
■ Board members invited to attend the game on June 10.
■ Pregame events from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with tailgating and family-friendly activities.
■ Additional community outreach through Latino media and PR campaigns ongoing.
o Discussion and Questions
■ Concerns about American athletes' safety addressed; no reported issues so far.
■ Suggestions made to explore alternative venues or watch parties (e.g.,pop-up shops,
alumni spaces)to involve community in smaller, safer settings.
■ Acknowledged regulatory challenges related to alcohol and event size for such
alternative gatherings.
3. Group Meetings Market Advertising & Outreach Report: Annual Investment $500k
o Discussion on Manish Atma and Visitors Bureau role in hotel sales.
■ A prominent hotelier(Mr. Atma),who owns approximately 50% of Chapel Hill's hotel
inventory, has voiced concerns about the Visitors Bureau's effectiveness and alignment
with hotel interests.
■ Mr. Atma has expressed dissatisfaction publicly, including at a Chamber board meeting,
and in conversations with a County Commissioner.
■ He perceives the Bureau's programs—especially those related to group sales and
meeting services—as not directly beneficial to his properties.
■ He views the Visitors Bureau as an entity that should serve as a more hotel-focused
sales arm.
o Visitors Bureau Response
■ Mr. Atma was previously on the Visitors Bureau board but was unable to participate
regularly due to travel.
■ A request has been made to meet with Mr. Atma.
■ The Bureau clarified that its statutory mission is to promote the entire county—not just
hotels—and its efforts are guided by state legislation and county/town directives.
■ As meeting space has grown in recent years, so has the Visitors Bureau's expenditures
in marketing convention hotels (see slide deck).
2Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting May 21 , 2025
For Approval June 18, 2025
■ Bylaws for the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board passed out
to board for reference.
o Board Member& Hotelier Feedback
■ Board Member&Hotelier Feedback on marketing efforts in group and leisure business,
remains an important goal.
■ Several hoteliers acknowledged that the Bureau is a valuable partner, especially for
filling gaps and driving general awareness of the destination.
■ Some acknowledged a general disconnect between hotelier expectations and the
Bureau's statutory mission.
■ Others reiterated that hotel sales teams remain primarily responsible for direct business
development, and that the Bureau's broader focus brings value to the entire community.
o Meetings and Group Sales Program Overview& Budget Allocation
■ The Bureau allocates approximately 25% of its $2 million annual budget($500,000) to
group and meeting sales efforts.
■ Tools and initiatives include:
• Direct solicitation of potential meetings in Orange County
• Outreach to key sectors, including government, education, life sciences,
associations.
• Participation in CVENT with sales navigator platform, advertising,
• Membership in HelmsBriscoe meeting planning division.
• Targeted sales missions,
• Digital marketing (LinkedIn, Google AdWords, retargeting),
• Incentives and post-booking support for events.
o Industry Standards &Peer Comparisons
■ Benchmarking with Raleigh, Durham, and other peer cities confirms that current
practices are industry standard and reflect the best use of resources for a mid-sized
destination without a major convention center.
■ The Bureau does not operate as a Convention&Visitors Bureau(CVB),but rather as a
Visitors Bureau—intentionally focused on leisure, cultural, and community-based
tourism. As meeting space grows, so does the Bureau's allocation to this sector.
Staff hope that more hotels will provide input on marketing.
Dr. Ivy Taylor,UNC Director of Local Relations
1. Welcome and Introduction
• Dr. Taylor introduced herself, sharing her background as an urban planner with a master's
degree from UNC Chapel Hill.
• Professional experience includes municipal government, higher education leadership, and
elected office.
• Currently Director of Local Relations at Carolina, which is situated within public affairs
reporting to Chris Poole.
2. Role and Approach
• Dr. Taylor aims to serve as a bridge between the university and local communities.
• Focus on maintaining strong local connections while supporting university-wide initiatives.
• Emphasizes two-way communication: sharing university updates with the community and
bringing community concerns to the university.
3age CHOCVB BOD Meeting May 21 , 2025
For Approval June 18, 2025
• Offers herself as a point of contact for community members needing university assistance or
information.
3. Current Priorities and Initiatives
• Franklin Street Issues:
o Addressing concerns about aggressive panhandling and support for the unhoused
population.
o Collaborated with Chapel Hill town staff and Orange County on resources and gaps.
o Sponsored a service provider breakfast in March to explore resource coordination.
o Exploring the possibility of a day center for unhoused individuals using university space
on Homestead Row.
• Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership:
o Serving on the board during a period of reimagination to enhance downtown vitality.
• Lot 2/Behind Raising Cane's and former Spanky's Restaurant.
o Working on possible redevelopment of"Lot 2" surface parking into a community
gathering space.
• Transportation Planning:
o Engaged in a corridor feasibility study where the powerplant is located, considering
future development possibilities.
• Town Manager Hiring:
o Supporting Chapel Hill's process to hire a permanent town manager.
4. Updates on University Projects
• Downtown Undergraduate Admissions Visitors Center:
o Ongoing discussions on whether the center should be on Franklin Street or more
centrally located on campus.
o Commitment remains to revitalize Franklin Street, with other potential uses being
explored. But it looks like the admissions center will be kept centrally located on
campus.
• The Junction and Innovation Carolina Initiatives:
o The Junction serves as an innovation hub with coworking space, a student-run coffee
shop, and Launch Chapel Hill programs supporting small business growth.
o Collaboration with KKMG aims to accelerate startups in emerging sectors including Al,
biotech, and robotics.
o The university has a ten-year lease on the space, currently in year three or four.
• University Budget FY 26:
o Proposed budget is approximately $4.5 billion with priorities on data science,
enrollment growth, and campus master planning.
o Emphasis on managing financial uncertainties and communicating the value of
university research to state and federal officials.
o The Board of Trustees requested the administration identify an additional $50 million
savings for the upcoming fiscal year to offset potential reductions in federal funding.
5. Carolina North Project
• Re-envisioning an older plan for development about a mile from campus, focusing on mixed-
use community development including:
o Enrollment and academic growth
o Athletics facilities (with ongoing evaluation of feasibility and cost, especially
concerning the Dean Dome)
o Affordable and market-rate housing (3,000-5,000 units planned)
o Campus recreation and dining facilities
4Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting May 21 , 2025
For Approval June 18, 2025
• The university is hiring a project manager for Carolina North with a strong community
engagement role.
6. Discussion and Q&A
• Addressed concerns about feasibility of athletic facilities on the Carolina North site,
emphasizing comprehensive planning and creative transportation solutions.
• Some of the on campus options for relocating the Dean Dome are limited by other plans for
hospital expansion.
• Opened the floor for ways the board and advisory groups can support university-community
initiatives, including upcoming events like the International Town Association conference in
Chapel Hill (2027).
• Dr. Taylor encouraged continued collaborative thinking to address ongoing challenges like
those on Franklin Street, stressing the need for innovative solutions beyond current approaches.
Update from Board Members
Matt Hughes—Horace Johnson passed away and he helped spearhead the creation of the tourism board.
Katie Murray- UpRoar needs to raise $70k and the OC Arts Commission is looking for sponsorships.
Sponsorships starting at$500.
Karen DeHart called for a vote to elect DR Bryan as Chair for the next year. Randee Haven-O'Donnell made
the motion, which was seconded by Heidi Werner Dawson. With all in favor, DR Bryan has been elected
Chair beginning July 1, 2025. A vice-chair has not been identified yet.
Next meeting:June 18, 2025 8:00 AM at The Graduate—311 W Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC
Heidi Werner Dawson made a motion for the meeting to adjourn, which was seconded by Wendy Smith. The
meeting was adjourned at 9:33 AM.
51 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting May 21 , 2025
Current and YTD Expenditures and Revenue
M ay 2025
(Cef" idudesfundsenwm6eri UnUa\&YTD -do oB,oGEi USE
REVENUE
Chapel Hill Support $0.00 $581,854.73 $581,854.00 100.0%
Occupancy Tax $189,125.38 $2,003,739.02 $2,214,200.00 90.5%
Appropriated Fund $0.00 $0.00 $764,999.00 0.0%
Interest $0.00 $14,867.00 $0.00 0.0%
America 250 Grant Revenue $0.00 $0.00 $10,000.00 0.0%
Arts Commission Revenues 1 $5,645.081 $188,213.13 $248,831.00 75.6%
TOTAL $194,770.46 1 $2,788,673.88 $3,819,884.00 73.0%
Transfers General Fund $0.00 $0.00 224,000.00 0.0%
Transfers Count Administrative Fee $0.00 $0.00 $99,042.00 0.0%
Subtotal 1 $0.00 $0.00 $323,042.00 0.0%
SalarieslBenefits $50,986.09 $627,028.37 $692,366.00 90.6%
Subtotal $50,986.09 $627,028.37 $692,366.00 90.6%
Travel $0.00 $14,222.48 $20,000.00 71.1%
M ilea $355.81 $2,449.14 $2,800.00 87.5%
Telephone $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0.0%
Postage $0.00 $4,392.64 $4,770.00 92.1%
Freight $0.00 $3,621.09 $5,000.00 72.4%
Building Rent $12,073.00 $164,687.09 $166,708.00 98.8%
Printing $119.50 $2,609.65 $3,300.00 79.1%
Dues $0.00 $18,363.00 $18,387.00 99.9%
Subscriptions $10,138.20 $30,614.20 $31,961.00 95.8%
Dept Supplies $1,000.00 $29,676.30 $33,257.00 89.2%
Office Supplies $0.00 $598.53 $1,200.00 49.9%
Computer Supplies $30.00 $1,142.12 $1,223.00 93.4%
Contract Services $2,000.00 $30,392.02 $30,392.00 100.0%
Electridty $297.99 $3,115.43 $6,000.00 51.9%
Strategic Alliances $2,000.00 $9,630.23 $10,800.00 89.2%
Subtotal $28,014.50 $315,513.92 $335,798.00 94.0%
Advertising $121,383.94 $1,283,021.95 $1,566,490.00 81.9%
Sales& Promotion,Events,Ent. $22,024.49 $74,040.00 $97,004.00 76.3%
M arketing Promotions-America 250 Grant $2,500.00 $4,023.62 $10,000.00 40.2%
Trade Shows $0.00 $7,331.07 $7,375.00 99.4%
SalesTravd $0.00 $1,272.13 $1,300.00 97.9%
Research $0.00 $1,250.00 $2,200.00 56.8%
Publications $3,371.09 $87,019.43 $100,416.00 86.7%
Subtotal $149,279.52 $1,457,958.20 $1,784,785.00 81.7%
Total Overhead,Personnel,Ops $228,280.11 $2,400,500.49 $3,135,991.00 76.5%
Recurring Capital Building Improvements $0.00 $3,599.34 $15,237.00 23.6%
ArtsCommisson
Personnel Salary/Benefits $24,673.38 $278,592.16 $302,201.00 92.2%
Operating Travel $0.00 $2,970.57 $3,000.00 99.0%
Trainin Devel oment $0.00 $250.00 $250.00 100.0%
M ileage $0.00 $1,260.58 $1,500.00 84.0%
Postage $0.00 $73.00 $100.00 73.0%
Building Rent-71390 $9,595.48 $113,760.00 $113,760.00 100.0%
Printing $0.00 $1,409.90 $2,475.00 57.0%
Duplicating $0.00 $1.35 $0.00 100.0%
Advertising $0.00 $11,561.82 $10,000.00 115.6%
Dues $0.00 $450.00 $450.00 100.0%
Dept.Supplies $0.00 $5,616.67 $6,000.00 93.6%
Dept Supplies-71390 $0.00 $1,023.35 $1,970.00 51.9%
OfficeSupplies $0.00 $826.50 $1,000.00 82.7%
Office Operations-71390 $0.00 $9,495.87 $10,000.00 95.0%
Contract Services $960.00 $5,070.00 $75,490.00 6.7%
Program Expense $82.19 $17,029.78 $23,519.00 72.4%
State Arts Grant $0.00 $47,340.00 $47,340.00 100.0%
Local ArtsGrant $0.00 $28,800.00 $28,800.00 100.0%
Program Payment-71390 $0.00 $11,000.00 $11,000.00 100.0%
Total ArtsCommisson $35,311.05 $536,531.55 $638,855.00 84.0%
TOTAL Expenses $263,591.16 $2,940,631.38 $3,790,083.00 77.6%
*Occupancy Tax Reflects April Collections
Tab 5-DBM Orange County, NC+: Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau Currency:LSD US Dollar
chapel Hill-orange county visitors bureau
For the Month of April 2025
Percent Changes for the Month of April
100 ......... ................
80
60
40
20
0
-20
-40
-60 -
-80 ......... ........ .........................
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
--4--Occupancy -0-ADR RevPAR
Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We
� Apr
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11 18 19 20 21 22 23 ?a 25 26 21 28 29 30
This year 54.5 58.0 11.6 92.9 93.7 61.6 59.5 76.3 84.4 85.8 90.5 91.0 58.1 65.9 72.2 63.3 55.5 76.6 61.6 42.7 54.4 61.5 72.5 83.8 76.3 81.4 47.4 69.2 70.4 58.5
Last year 52.0 82.5 64.6 77.7 93.9 92.9 61.0 57.2 70.8 79.8 83.5 93.5 92.0 61.5 77.5 91.7 89.7 82.0 91.8 86.0 49.8 61.9 73.8 88.2 93.5 86.6 80.9 45.4 58.2 58.4
Percent Chan a 4.8 -7.3 10.9 19.6 -0.2 -33.7 -2.6 33.4 19.2 7.5 8.4 -2.6 -36.8 7.0 -6.8 -30.9 -38.1 -6.7 -32.6 -50.4 9.3 -0.6 -1.8 -5.0 -18.4 -6.0 -41.5 52.5 20.9 0.1
.�. Apr
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 11 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 2A 25 26 27 28 29 30
This year 147.36 149.94 164.25 258.78 244.51 154.10 152.74 161.09 169.82 190.26 222.55 224.76 150.44 158.71 155.55 145.57 163.58 191.77 180.21 141.80 146.88 155.44 192.15 222.25 197.86 207.77 140.47 150.02 163.45 154.79
Last year 141.74 150.42 150.73 164.59 216.03 220.62 152.08 151.13 161.13 155.69 178.04 221.85 224.83 153.57 162.33 171.73 173.63 174.07 223.84 222.32 146.14 141.51 149.49 178.00 221.69 223.34 216.25 141.66 146.73 136.76
Percent Chan a 4.0 -0.3 9.0 57.2 13.2 -30.2 0.4 6.6 5.4 22.2 25.0 1.3 -33.1 3.4 -4.2 -15.2 -5.8 10.2 -19.5 -36.2 0.5 9.8 28.5 24.9 -10.7 -7.0 -35.0 5.9 11.4 13.2
Apr
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
This year 80.33 86.90 117.62 240.29 229.19 94.91 90.82 122.83 143.32 163.20 201.35 204.62 87.47 104.51 112.37 92.21 90-81 146.83 111.45 60.51 79.97 95.64 139.29 186.18 151.00 169.11 66.54 103.87 115.00 90.49
Last year 73.74 94.06 97.36 127.83 202.90 205.01 92.81 86.38 114.06 124.23 148.63 207.40 206.80 94.49 125.87 157.42 155.69 142.81 205.47 191.29 72,83 87.60 110.31 156.94 207.24 193.43 174.98 64.31 85.42 79.87
Percent Change 8.9 -7.6 20.8 88.0 13.0 -53.7 -2.1 42.2 25.7 31.4 35.5 -1.3 -57.7 10.6 -10.7 -41.4 -41.7 2.8 -45.8 -68.4 9.8 9.2 26.3 18.6 -27.1 -12.6 -62.0 61.5 34.6 13.3
Apr
1 2 3 4 5 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
This year 1600 1600 1600 1600 isoo 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600
Last year 1600 1600 1600 1800 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600
Percent Chan a0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1 2 3 4 5 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
This year 872 927 1146 1486 1500 985 951 1220 1350 1372 1448 1457 930 1054 1156 1014 888 1225 989 683 871 984 1160 1340 1221 1302 758 1108 1126 935
Last year 832 1000 1034 1243 1503 1487 976 914 1133 1277 1336 1496 1472 984 1241 1467 1435 1313 1469 1377 797 990 1181 1411 1496 1386 1295 726 931 934
Percent Change 4.8 -7.3 10.9 19.6 -0.2 -33.7 -2.6 33.4 19.2 7.5 8.4 -2.6 -36.8 7.0 -6.8 -30.9 -38.1 -6.7 -32.6 -50.4 9.3 -0.6 -1.8 -5.0 -18.4 -6.0 -41.5 52.5 20.9 0.1
Apr
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
This year 128525 139037 188200 384459 366701 151854 145314 196534 229316 261116 322167 327387 139953 167223 179790 147538 145296 234928 178313 96808 127957 153022 222872 297882 241596 270568 106459 166188 184007 144778
Last year 417984 150494 155779 204522 324635 328010 148503 138204 182490 198761 237800 331833 330886 151187 201394 251879 249103 228499 328754 306068 116532 140167 176488 251103 331591 309483 279964 102896 136676 127799
Percent Chan a 8.9 -7.6 20.8 88.0 13.0 -53.7 -2.1 42.2 25.7 31.4 35.5 -1.3 -57.7 10.6 -10.7 -41.4 -41.7 2.8 -45.8 -68.4 9.8 9.2 26.3 18.6 -27.1 -12.6 -62.0 61.5 34.6 13.3
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Fiscal Year 2024-2025
May 2025 Sales Report
Current Month Year to Date Same Period Last Year
Confirmed Bookings 4 31 31
Number of Room Nights 250 2559 2005
Estimated Spending $88,446 $1,071,559 $844,533
Leads Generated 11 128 136
Leads:
• NAMI NC Annual Conference. Nov 2025. 160 room nights. 2 day meeting for 250
• UNC Chemistry Materials Consortium. Sept 2025. 20 room nights.
• NC Metropolitan Mayors Coalition. Dec 2025. 65 room nights. 2 day meeting up to 100
• Southern Prize and State Fellowship. Sep 2025. 15 room nights.
• Checkr Mini Gig CAB. Aug 2025. 14 room nights. 2 day meeting for 14
• NCOA Spring Conference. Feb 2026. 2 day meeting for 150
• NC811 Spring Quarterly Meeting. April 2026. 42 room nights. 2 day meeting for 40
• Twilio Exec Connect & Analyst Summit. Sep 2026. 335 room nights. 4 day meeting for 125
• Saksa/Caneda Wedding. June 2026. 32 room nights
• GSK FRIM Phase II Training. July 2025. 218 room nights.5 day meeting for 52
• UNUM Leaders Circle AK EAST. June 2028. 198 room nights. 4 day meeting for 72
Sales Activities:
• Completed end of month report
• Attended Weekly staff meetings
• Follow up with venues that have not responded to RFP's.
• Follow up with planners that have outstanding RFPs.
• Attended calls with Clean to discuss upcoming marketing strategies
• Call with Cvent to discuss upcoming contract and review stats
• Monthly call about Uproar Arts Festival
• Call with Capitol Broadcasting to discuss marketing strategies for Uproar
• Call with Chelsea Cipriani from IDSS to discuss upcoming contract
• Hosted the OC Veteran's call
• Attended Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Meeting
• Call with Capitol Broadcasting and Katie Murray from Uproar to discuss kick-off marketing
plans
• Call with Kristie, meeting planner from GACEP to discuss venues for possible off-site dinner
event and destination information
• Coordinated downtown business owners meeting to discuss MexTour, Uproar/Trolleys,
UNC Football and other summer events. Worked with Tommy O'Connell from 411 West to
secure location. Formulated email statement to be sent to downtown businesses.
• Contacted planner John Botticella to see if he would add the Carolina Inn, Siena and Graduate
to his RFP. He said yes.
Fiscal Year 2024-2025
May 2025 Sales Report
• Meeting with CSL International to discuss a new hockey rink or other type of venue for
possible development in Orange County. Complied and submitted reports about RFP's that we
had received that were too large and RFP's that would possibly be interested in this type of
venue.
• Created Facebook event page for the MexTour.
• Contacted EI Centro to set up a meeting with Laurie to discuss the MexTour
• Call with Tina to discuss possible spam submission on our website RFP submission page
• Contacted clients that submitted RFP on our website.
• Purchased and planted flowers for spring. Completed landscaping tasks on exterior of
Welcome Center.
• Planned and coordinated the Open House/Give Back event throughout the month; cleaned
parking lot of debris, sent RSVP reminders, contacted give back organizations for logos and
created and ordered signage for each organization, confirmed APR rentals, ordered food from
IP3, Wegmans, Momo Masters and Beau's Catering, scheduled deliveries, ordered all
supplies to Give Back and sorted and prepared them for the event, pre-cut fleece for cat
blankets, cut-up shirts for dog tug toys, bought items from Amazon, bought other supplies for
event, created floral arrangements, set up floral creation station, set up food stations, tables
and chairs, tents and give back stations. Breakdown and put away everything at end of event.
Delivered give back items to Animal Services, IFC and Social Services
• Contacted planner Holly Doggett with additional questions about her event before sending
RFP
• Completed comments in Works for credit card transactions
• Contacted the Merch for swag items.
• Call with Allison Cummings about the Metro Mayors Conference. Determined all meeting
specifications. Created RFP to send to hotels based on the information she shared. Send
meeting videos and ideas for unique venues for offsite dinner. Worked with Laurie to
determine contact for clients to have dinner in the Blue Zone. Worked with Mimi Martens at
Blue Zone on possible dinner dates.
• Assisted Vicki Elliott with information on accessibility seating and parking for MexTour.
• Contacted Emma at Tandem to see if they would do a restaurant buy-out and determine max
capacity indoors and outside on patio
• Worked with Carter Hubbard and the DCHP to distribute MexTour posters
• Sent DCHP information on the NC Metro Mayors conference and ITGA
• E-intro with Martina at ATMA and Laura and Neelam at Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals. Client
was not getting a response from Sheraton.
Def inites:
• Pertak/Belgane Wedding. $13,954. Tru.
• Midwest Universities Analytical Chemistry Conference. $36,119. Aloft
• Hovland/ Capland wedding. $24,419. Tru and Residence
• Toto/ Lagas-Rivera Wedding. $13,954. Aloft and Residence
Lost:
• CUPA-HR North Carolina Chapter. Cancelled
• East Coast Travel July Meeting. Booked outside of NC
• PCC 60th Anniversary Lecture and Clinical Case Conference. Booked at NC State
Fiscal Year 2U24-2025
May 2O25Sales Report
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Visitor Bureau Communications/Social Media Department Highlights: May 2025
Publications/Flyers/Online Campaigns/Videos in May–What's Open in May sheet and placed in Welcome
Center for walk-in visitors. Promotions for Soccer Match with Chapelboro, EnlaceLationonc, WRAL, Triangle
Media, Facebook posts, WUNC-FM. Updates to online promotional website, Posters, tall pull-up banners and
Mascots in house for distribution. Working on Pride Posters for June. Updating Orange County Restaurant Map
for June printing.New Carrboro Brochure in house. Continuing Places & Spaces Meetings Videos from
CLEAN. Patty wrote and sent May Check It Out on May 30 to 3,820 subscribers. Additional Activities from
Tina Fuller/Social Media website updates -Reels & Instagram and Standard Videos during May–Chapel
Hill Magazine Wedgewood Cheese Bar Opens May 30, Travelingtastebud Brandwein Bagels May 28,
raleating–Caffe Driade May 25 and Xolos Tacos Y Tlayudas May 19; lifestylewithlouisa–Day in Chapel
Hill May 22, Spring Haven Farm–May 21, Cow Cuddles–May 8; 919eats Tonya's Cafe May 18,
triangleweekender MexTour 2025 May 8; and lifewithhanny–Occoneechee Mountain May 4.
Work with VisitNC and/Travel Writers/Content Creators–Hosted photographer from Southern Living
taking photos at Ackland, Carr Mill Mall, Carolina Basketball Museum and Franklin Street for October story on
Chapel Hill. Hosted Content Creators This is Raleigh (Craig & Caroline Makepeace) May 23-25 for 36
Hours in Chapel Hill story as well as other stories and social media posts. VisitNC hosted Creator Jynarra
Brinson from LA and I followed up to see if any interest on a visit while here. VisitNC Co-op approved–will
do three promotions during 25-26 on VisitNC.com.
May Travel Media Assistance–Touched base with photographer coming from 2026 NC Travel Guide to
take photos at Carolina Inn June 16; Call with WRAL on upcoming promotions; Laurie and Pablo Vega were
interviewed on WCHL about MexTour 2025 and it ran on May 12; Daily Tar Heel interview on State Tourism
spending impact.
May Stories Appearing and/or Media Mentions– 17 of the Most Beautiful College Towns in the US
includes Chapel Hill HDFC ERGO; The Revolutionary War in North Carolina features Hillsborough on
nctripping.com; Plan a Peaceful Weekend in Hillsborough–Triangle Weekender; How to Spend a Day in
the Triangle (includes Chapel Hill) in News & Observer; Local Reporter includes Laurie Paolicelli Orange
Slice Columns throughout the month; NC Weekend Story on Eno Farm; QC Exclusive Magazine includes
Hillsborough in Underrated North Carolina Town Guide; Artsy, Progressive Carrboro featured in Islands.com,
story by Chapel Hill writer Kenan Dudley.
Sent May press releases: Chapel Hill to Host Annual Memorial Day Ceremony Honoring U.S. Veterans. May
Blogs–Visit Historic Places in Orange County,North Carolina
Other Accomplishments/Activities
SATW Associates Business Meeting on May 6 and Webinar featuring music writers on May 9
Bureau will be working on America 250 campaign–initial ideas distributed May 30
Bureau 25-26 marketing plan presented to staff on May 30 for initial input and discussion.
Attended Open House May 15; Weekly Staff Calls and calls with Clean on May 14, 28 taking media strategies,
advertising, and more.
Began adding major events to the new county outlook calendar on May 28
Pix and Hannah represented the Bureau with an informational table at the Norlina NC State Welcome Center
May 8 during National Tourism Week
Susan Murray took photos of open house on May 15 and photos of Rougarou/Imbibe and uploaded on May 31.
Publications Inventory to Date
Inventory as of May 31, 2025: Official 2025 Visitors Guide-13,600; Official Visitors 24-25 Map-3,900 5
Dining Map Pads remaining from December 2024 and 1 Mural Map Pad; Website Visits–71,694
Tina Fuller Website/Social Media Report May 2025
May 2025 Social Media Performance
Platform Beginning Ending Increase/decrease Posts
(previous
month end)
FB 26,897 27,203 306 18
BlueSky 433 441 8 0
Instagram 8567 8799 232 14
Pinterest 604 604 0 0
YouTube 355 357 2 8
Threads 1467 1480 13 6
Linkedln 317 318 1 2
2024-2025 Website Sessions by Month
2024-2025 Jan Feb Mar April May Jun
Meetings
Ends
Sessions 42,189 48,913 57,683 56,956 71,694
Users 34,984 40,552 48,078 48,331 60,358
Pageviews 81,289 93,699 107,733 104,460 122,669
New Users 33,442 38,763 46,127 46,413 58,205
Sessions by OS 54.46% OS 48% OS 54% OS 46.32% OS 41.6%
Channel
Average 56.9%/36s per session 53.7%/36s 53.7%/36s 54.15%/33s 0.67%/35s
Engagement
Rate/Time
Spike in Day of Sat Jan 25, OS 814 Sun Feb 16, OS Sat Mar 22, Sat April 12 Sat May 3
Week 820 OS 1,019 OS 2,145 Direct 1,168
Request for 86 88 74 70 63
Literature
Newsletter 55 44 83 40 32
Subscriber
RFP 0 2 5(some 4 1
spam)
Tina continues to add to landing page for the International Soccer event coming June 10 and monitors social
media for event. Helped coordinate two ticket giveaways with Triangle Digital Media, Tina creates social media
calendar for June on May 30. Uploaded Places & Spaces Videos and Soccer promotional video Tina created
social media posts and oversaw and monitors our multiple channels; also adds listings and events to website.
Coordinating Facebook likes campaign. Sending Farm App events to state administrator. Tina writes monthly
Tourism by the Numbers newsletter. She edited and posted the Visit Historic Places Blog and maintains and
oversees updates for www.visitchapelhill.org. Currently changed photos on website to reflect spring and
summer.