HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-25 CHOCVB Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
Advisory Board Meeting
Courtyard Chapel Hill
September 18, 2024
8:00—9:15 AM
Board Members Present: Tanya Moore, Karen DeHart—Chair, Sam Vadgama. Jon Hartman Brown, Wendy
Smith, Jeri Lynn Schulke, Steve Peck, DR Bryan, Shannan Campbell
Not Present: Grace Holtkamp, Anna Richards, Heidi Werner Dawson, Matt Hughes, Paris Miller—Foushee,
Randee Haven- O'Donnell, Meredith Saybe
Staff Attendance: Laurie Paolicelli,Marlene Barbera, Hannah Hemphill, Katie Murray
Guests-David Putnam(Town of Chapel Hill—Economic Development), Dan Brosz (NCDNCR)
Call to Order
Karen DeHart called the meeting to order at 8:15 AM.
Round Table Introductions
Approval of Minutes
Requested that August minutes be resent. Approval of the minutes postponed until October meeting.
�. Ann Arbor Recap: Focus on collaboration with economic development agencies, cooperating forces
vs competing forces, public bathrooms at 1mil a year, 10 units and modular
II. Executive Director's Report:
• Chapel Hill Hockey Rink Fundraising:
o Focus on raising funds for a rink near Carraway Village.
o Collaboration with NCHHS and VB for insights to present to Town Council, including an
economic index calculator and potential high school usage of the rink.
• Airbnb Discussions in Chapel Hill:
o Aim to understand the market for short-term rentals, including pricing and location.
o Other markets, such as Raleigh, are embracing AirBNB. The Greater Raleigh Convention&
Visitors Bureau hosted a reception for AirBNB owners and provided Visitor Information
III. America 250 Grant Opportunities
• Overview of the America 250 Grant, commemorating the July 4, 2026 celebration.
• Funds are available through the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
• Orange County received$10,000 for the initiative include, revolving around themes such as:
o Revolutionary NC: History and revolutionary acts in the state.
o National Identity: Exploration of freedom and struggles for equality.
• Community Grant Program:
o $2 million in total, with $1 million remaining; 50 grants of about $990k have been awarded.
For Approval October 16, 2024
o Community Grant Programs range from $2,500 to $30,000 (15%match required for Tier II &
III Counties).
o Capital projects are excluded, but public art can be considered.
o Themes for the Community Grant include:
■ Visions of Freedom
■ Gathering Voices
■ Common Ground
o Application cycle open until November 1.
• Discussion on gathering voices category and aligning with local projects like the Chapel Hill peace and
justice plaza.
IV. Visitors Bureau Logo Discussion *include link for logos*
• Issues with Orange County branding; emphasis on attracting visitors rather than locals.
• Ad Agency proposed a more "funky" logo; feedback will be requested via Doodle Poll.
• Suggestions:
o Wendy Smith: Combine funky logo with streamlined font.
o Jeri Lynn: Improve marketing to retain local flavor.
o Shannan: Consider out-of-town perspectives in branding and what will resonate with visitors
from out of town.
V. New Business:
• Steve Peck: Outlandish Festival at Ayr Mount (rain or shine); Spirit Tours scheduled for October 18-
19; OC Museum has ongoing events.
• Sam Vadgama: October bookings look strong; baseball bookings are soft this year.
• Shannan Campbell: Hillsborough to move tree lighting to Small Business Saturday; holiday parade to
be separate.
• Tanya Moore: Mia Hamm scheduled for commencement; planning to maintain Saturday night event.
• Katie Murray: Paint it Orange Plein Air fundraiser; 90 painters participating. Events include:
o Opening for paintings on Friday, October 4.
o Rocky Horror Picture Show on October 26.
o Uproar 2025 kick-off on the first Friday of August.
• Wendy Smith: October is a major fundraiser for the ArtsCenter; local restaurants to contribute a
percentage of sales.
• Steve Peck: Inquiring about involvement in discussions on relocating the Dean Dome. Laurie
discussed that focus groups are currently being conducted at this time.
Next meeting: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at the Innovate Carolina Junction— 136 E Rosemary St., Chapel
Hill, NC 27514
The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 AM.
21 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting September 25 , 2024