HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-16 CHOCVB Advisory Board Minutes Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
Advisory Board Meeting
Well
April 16, 2025
8:00—9:30 AM
Board Members Present: Craig Lloyd, Allison Reid, Lisa Kaylie, Karen DeHart—Chair, Matt Hughes,
Creston Woods, Randee Haven-O'Donnell, Ben Marklin, Heidi Werner-Dawson, Wendy Smith, Jon Hartman-
Brown, Jeri Lynn Schulke, Sally Greene
Not Present: Paris Miller-Foushee, David Putnam, DR Bryan, Meredith Saybe
Staff Attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera, Hannah Hemphill
Guests: Jared Sokolsy—Well, CFO
Call to Order
Karen DeHart called the meeting to order 8:10 AM.
Round Table Introductions
Welcome from Jared Sokolsy, CFO at Well
Well is a digital health company that provides an engagement platform for self-insured employers. Well
partners a digital app with a health concierge team to engage with people and improve their health while
managing the cost of healthcare. They currently have 325,000 participants on their platform and clients
include UNC Health and Bank of America.
They moved into 501 W. Franklin in September 2024. Meeting space has been available for groups.
Approval of Minutes
Karen DeHart requested a motion to approve the minutes from the March 19, 2025 board meeting. Jeri Lynn
Schulke made a motion to approve the minutes for both meetings and Alison Reid seconded the motion. With
all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted.
Visitors Bureau Updates
• Marlene Barbera, Sales Manager, has been working with Clean to develop a series of videos to
showcase meeting spaces in Chapel Hill and Orange County. The video for Siena Hotel was shown.
• Clean advertising and design presentation showed a recap of the last 12 months
o Research says that people are curious about exploring the area.
o Weekly ads in markets across NC,but also SC,VA, FL.
o Commitment to LGBT and DEI
o International soccer game coming back this summer—June 10tn
■ Opening the door to more events at Kenan Stadium
■ Lack of marketing from Kenan, outside agency required
■ Investing $20k in the soccer game utilizing Enlace, CBS
■ Visitors Bureau invested $l0k in an MLS sponsorship
o The trolley will return for Uproar in August 2025 —60 sculptures split between Carrboro,
Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough
o Meetings and business is 25% of our advertising
o Currently developing campaign for Pride
For Approval May 21, 2025
Budget Update
• Tough budget year for everyone
• Anticipating seeing the fund balance used for other County projects.
• Meeting with the Interim Manager in Chapel Hill—decreasing funding form 550k to 200k. Call to
action: attend public meetings to advocate for keeping the performance agreement as is
• The board discussed occupancy tax and the statutory requirements, as occupancy tax is intended to for
tourism promotion. We might need more lobbying at the state level.
Update from Board Members
Wendy Smith -Arts Center Gala May 17, 2025 which helps fund scholarship program and artist in residence
program. There will be a silent auction open to everyone on May 4 to help raise funds.
After school registration for the fall opens next month, registration for summer to open this week.
Jennifer Curtis artist in residence, May 18th and June 15th performances
Sally Greene—revaluations are hitting residents hard, such as people on fixed income who aren't sure if
they'll be able to stay in the county.
Heidi Werner Dawson—The Carolina Inn is working with Turkey team to see if they will stay at the Carolina
Inn. Friday on the Front Porch first week of May—November with a pause for June and July due to weather.
All Booked Up series will run from May-October. Redoing the gift shop in time for graduation
Marlene Barbera—Open House invitations have gone out for the event on May 15 4-6 pm. This year it will be
a give back event with stations to make things that will be donated into the county, including working with the
animal shelter, meals on wheels, IFC House, Brookdale Assisted Living, and OC Social Services. Local food
vendors will be used for catering, including IP3, Momo Masters, Bo's Catering.
Craig Lloyd—Antique Festival and antique tractor pull had a lot traffic, Hog Day kick off on ground hog day,
Seafest in May, Spring family day, Soccer.com US Team Soccer Group—invitation only, 38 acre park being
built in Efland
Lisa Kaylie—Blue Hill Event Center still open for business with affordable pricing. They make candles at
Extraordinary Ventures. May 3rd they are hosting an inclusive gift market with vendors.
Ben Marklin—Revolutionary War Day had lower attendance but it was on the same day as the National
Protests. A total of around 500 participants with positive feedback from attendees. May Preservation Tour to
see inside private homes and buildings. Ticket sales this week. Garden Club Tour will be posted at the Visitors
Center
Allison Reid—Carolina gearing up for commencement on May 10th. Carolina bus tour for the week after
commencement
Matt Hughes—Garden Tour coming up, Burwell had it's annual gala with over 30k raised(more than l0k than
last year), last Friday kicked off, WHUP doing annual fundraising on 4/27 at the Colonial Inn, Tourism board
contracting process with Burwell, a portion of F&B Tax to visitor promotion, new restaurant coming to the
former radius pizza space, Antonia's open all day, Town of Hillsborough currently in budget process. FEMA
grants cancelled by the federal level and looking at raising water and sewer costs
21 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting April 16 , 2025
For Approval May 21, 2025
Randee Haven-O'Donnell—Carrboro April Poetry Month, April 27th 25th annual Mildred Council Community
Dinner, Freight Train Blues May 16-June 13th, Carrboro Day First weekend of May, End of June is Pride
Jeri Lynn Schulke— Several spaces downtown are being filled, including Sweet Greens, Charlie Shop, Indian,
and a Brunch restaurant. Town of Chapel Hill also cutting Downtown Partnership funding.
Next meeting: May 21, 2025 at Hyatt Place Southern Village
Matt Hughes made a motion for the meeting to adjourn,which was seconded by Randee Haven-O'Donnell. The
meeting was adjourned at 9:14 AM.
31 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting April 16 , 2025