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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 11-11-2025; 5 - Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board – Appointments Discussion 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 11, 2025 Action Agenda Item No. 5 SUBJECT: Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board — Appointments Discussion DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Recommendations Clerk's Office, 919-245-2125 Members and Applicants Summary Sheet Applications for Person Recommended Membership Roster Applicant Interest List No Eligible Applicants Annual Work Plan PURPOSE: To discuss appointments to the Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board. BACKGROUND: The Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board is charged with developing and coordinating visitor services in Orange County. It also implements marketing programs that enhance the economic activity and quality of life in the community. The Board of County Commissioners appoints all seventeen (17) members, with representatives from specific entities and fields. The following individuals are recommended for Board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Karen M. NC High School Second Full Term 12/31/2028 Dehart Athletic Association Matt Hughes Town of First Full Term 12/31/2028 Hillsborough Board (reappointment) of Commissioners Ben Marklin Alliance for Historic First Full Term 12/31/2028 Hillsborough (reappointment) David Economic First Full Term 12/31/2028 Yonkovich- Development Staff- (reappointment) Putnam Town of Chapel Hill 2 If the individuals listed above are appointed, the following vacancy remains: POSITION EXPIRATION VACANCY INFORMATION DESIGNATION DATE Chapel Hill 06/30/2026 Vacant since 05/07/2025 Downtown Partnership Staff NOTE: There are no applicants eligible for this vacancy. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — INCLUSIVITY AND ENGAGEMENT We foster an environment in which all are welcomed, represented, and empowered to participate in and feel connected to their community. • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — DEDICATION AND RESPECT We commit to our roles in public service and organizational excellence by fostering the skills, talents, and innovation of our residents, employees, volunteers, and boards needed to carry out this work. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss appointments to the Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board. 3 CHAPEL HILLSBOROUGHHILL &CAPR80PO ORANGE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU October 27, 2025 To: Orange County Board of Commissioners c/o Tara May, Orange County Clerk's Office From: Laurie Paolicelli, Director, Orange County Visitors Bureau Cc: Hannah Hemphill, Business Officer, Orange County Visitors Bureau The Visitors Bureau would like to request the following advisory board members to be reappointed for another term. • Matt Hughes,Town of Hillsborough • David Putnam,Town of Chapel Hill Economic Development • Karen Dehart, North Carolina High School Athletics Association • Ben Marklin,Alliance for Historic Hillsborough Thank you and please let us know if we can provide any additional information. Laurie Paolicelli 4 Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Members and Applicants Name Member or Applicant? Gender Identity Race/Ethnic Background Age Range Township Also Serves on Paris Miller-Foushee Member Female African American Chapel Hill Donald Bryan Member Male White 60+ Chapel Hill Craig Lloyd Member Male White 35-59 Cheeks Allison Reid Member Female White 35-59 Chapel Hill Lisa Kaylie Member Female White 35-59 Chapel Hill Economic Development Advisory Board Karen M.Dehart Member Female White 35-59 Chapel Hill Matt Hughes Member Male African American 18-34 Hillsborough Creston Woods Member Male White 60+ Non-Resident Randee Haven- O'Donnell Member Female White Chapel Hill Ben Marklin Member Male White 18-34 Chapel Hill Heidi W.Dawson Member Female 35-59 Non-Resident Wendy Smith Member Female White 35-59 Chapel Hill David Yonkovich- Putnam Member Male White 18-34 Non-Resident Jon Hartman-Brown Member Male White 18-34 Chapel Hill Meredith Sabye Member Female White 35-59 Bingham Sally Greene Member Chapel Hill VACANT Amanda Frisard Applicant Female Native American 35-59 Chapel Hill Margaret Moriarty Applicant Female White 18-34 IChapel Hill IParks and Recreation Council Jonathan Sosidka Applicant Male White 18-34 IChapel Hill 5 Page 1 of 2 David Yonkovich-Putnam Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Mr. David Yonkovich-Putnam Name Called: Home Address: 405 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Chapel Hill NC 27514 Phone: 919-841-3370 Email: dputnam@townofchapelhill.org Year of OC Residence: 2000 Township of Residence: Non-Res.Consult Zone of Residence: Non-Resident Consultant Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 18-34 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Town of Chapel Hill, Economic Development Director Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: None Boards/Commissions applied for: Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I have 9+ years of experience as an economic development professional, developing, implementing, and analyzing innovative initiatives to achieve organizational objectives. Economic Development has strong alignment with TDA/CVB activities and are complimentary to one another. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board I want to serve on this board to contribute to the Town I serve in a new way. This board is also a great opportunity to be engage with a hard to reach and busy audience -- hoteliers. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? I bring a mixed lens to CVB/TDA work. Through my role, I m hands on with a variety of diverse initiatives locally and regionally that can contribute new perspectives and viewpoints to the board s activities. Do you have any personal or business interest(s)that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: 6 Page 2 of 2 David Yonkovich- This application was current on: 9/11/2024 2:48:42 PM Date Printed: 9/13/2024 7 Page 1 of 2 Karen M. Dehart Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Karen M. Dehart Name Called: Home Address: 102 Old Larkspur Way Chapel Hill NC 27516 Phone: 919-521-2656 Email: karen@nchsaa.org Year of OC Residence: Township of Residence: Chapel Hill Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits Gender Identity: Female Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 35-59 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Involvement with Chapel Hill High School, Orange United Methodist Church, North Carolina High School Athletic Association, UNC-Chapel Hill; previous involvement with Chapel Hill YMCA Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: Chapel Hill Visitors Bureau Board Chapel Hill YMCA Board Boards/Commissions applied for: Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I served on the Chapel Hill Visitors Bureau Board years ago and have served on the Chapel Hill YMCA Advisory Board. I work very closely with the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors, serving in a role as advisor to the Finance & Personnel Committee. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I have a deep-rooted love for Chapel Hill ever since I attended college at UNC-Chapel Hill. The growth and changes that have happened within the Town of Chapel Hill since I last served on the Board have been widespread and I welcome the opportunity to gain insight and offer suggestion relative to ongoing events, tourism, etc. in the Chapel Hill and the bordering communities of Carrboro and Hillsborough. Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: It is important to have various viewpoints considering local issues. Diverse viewpoints makes a Board stronger and provides Board members with the ability to represent the various segments of the local community and serve all interests to best ability possible. Conflict of Interest: NA Boards/Commissions appointments: 8 Page 2 of 2 Karen M. Dehart Other Comments: This application was current on: 6/2/2022 Date Printed: 6/9/2022 9 Page 1 of 2 Ben Marklin Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Ben Marklin Name Called: Home Address: 601 Jones Ferry Rd. Apt. M8 Carrboro NC 27510 Phone: 919-732-7741 Email: ben@historichillsborough.org Year of OC Residence: 2022 Township of Residence: Chapel Hill Zone of Residence: Carrboro City Limits Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 18-34 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: Site Coordinator at the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: N/A Boards/Commissions applied for: Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board As an employee at the Alliance, I help to plan and work events that our organization puts on. I also help to run Visit Hillsborough Hillsborough's tourism initiative. I help with its social media and internet presence. I also am a graduate from UNC Chapel Hill. I have been in the area since 2018 and feel as though my experience living in Chapel Hill and Carrboro and working in Hillsborough could be valuable. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board Being on this board will allow me and my organization to build better relationships with other visitor and tourism-based professionals in Orange County. It will also give us the opportunity to share what we are doing in Historic Hillsborough with the Visitors Bureau. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? As I said previously, I live in Carrboro and work in Hillsborough, so I feel as if I have a solid understanding of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough and how that could work more in tandem. Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? I am an employee at the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough. 10 Page 2 of 2 Ben Marklin Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: This application was current on: 2/12/2025 10:56:31 AM Date Printed: 2/20/2025 11 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Meeting Times: 8:00 am Third Wednesday of every month except Jul.&Dec. Contact Person:Laurie Paolicelli&Hannah Hemphill Meeting Place: Varies Contact Phone: 919-245-4323 Positions: 17 Length:3 years Terms: 2 Description: <div>This board is charged with developing and coordinating visitor services in Orange County.It also implements marketing programs that will enhance economic activity and quality of life in the community.</div> Paris Miller-Foushee 1 First Appointed: 03/07/2024 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 10/15/2024 Ethnic Background: African American Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2027 Age Range: Special Repr: Chapel Hill Town Council Number of Terms: 1 Donald Bryan 2 First Appointed: 03/07/2024 Gender Identity: Male Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 03/07/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2026 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Comm Number of Terms: 1 Mr. Craig Lloyd 3 First Appointed: 11/19/2024 Gender Identity: Male Township: Cheeks Current Appointment: 11/19/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2026 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Orange County/Hillsborough Chamber of Number of Terms: 1 Ms. Allison Reid 4 First Appointed: 11/19/2024 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 11/19/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2027 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: UNC Chapel Hill Number of Terms: 1 Ms. Lisa Kaylie 5 First Appointed: 02/25/2025 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 02/25/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2026 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Economic Development Advisory Board- Number of Terms: Karen M. Dehart 6 Chair First Appointed: 11/01/2022 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 11/01/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2025 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: NC High School Athletic Association Number of Terms: 1 Wednesday,October 29,2025 Page 1 12 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Meeting Times: 8:00 am Third Wednesday of every month except Jul.&Dec. Contact Person:Laurie Paolicelli&Hannah Hemphill Meeting Place: Varies Contact Phone: 919-245-4323 Positions: 17 Length:3 years Terms: 2 Matt Hughes 7 First Appointed: 03/07/2024 Gender Identity: Male Township: Hillsborough Current Appointment: 03/07/2024 Ethnic Background: African American Residency Req: Hillsborough Twnshp Expiration: 12/31/2025 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Town of Hillsborough Board of Commiss Number of Terms: Mr. Creston Woods 8 First Appointed: 02/25/2025 Gender Identity: Male Township: Non-Res.Consultnt. Current Appointment: 02/25/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2027 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: O/C Lodging Assoc. Number of Terms: 1 Ms. Randee Haven-O'Donnell 9 First Appointed: 03/07/2024 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 03/07/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2025 Age Range: Special Repr: Carrboro Town Council Number of Terms: Ben Marklin 10 First Appointed: 04/15/2025 Gender Identity: Male Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 04/15/2025 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2025 Age Range: 18-34 Special Repr: Alliance/Hist.Hillsborough Number of Terms: Heidi W. Dawson 11 First Appointed: 12/06/2021 Gender Identity: Female Township: Current Appointment: 10/15/2024 Ethnic Background: Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2027 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: O/C Lodging Assoc. Number of Terms: 2 Wendy Smith 12 First Appointed: 03/07/2024 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 03/07/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2026 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: O.C.Arts Commission Number of Terms: 1 Wednesday,October 29,2025 Page 2 13 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board Meeting Times: 8:00 am Third Wednesday of every month except Jul.&Dec. Contact Person:Laurie Paolicelli&Hannah Hemphill Meeting Place: Varies Contact Phone: 919-245-4323 Positions: 17 Length:3 years Terms: 2 Mr. David Yonkovich-Putnam 13 First Appointed: 10/15/2024 Gender Identity: Male Township: Non-Res.Consultnt. Current Appointment: 10/15/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Ex-officio Expiration: 12/31/2025 Age Range: 18-34 Special Repr: Economic Development Staff-Town of Number of Terms: Mr. Jon Hartman-Brown 14 First Appointed: 10/06/2020 Gender Identity: Male Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 06/20/2023 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Ex-officio Expiration: 06/30/2026 Age Range: 18-34 Special Repr: Economic Development Staff-Town of Number of Terms: 2 VACANT 15 First Appointed: Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: Ethnic Background: Residency Req: Ex-officio Expiration: 06/30/2026 Age Range: Special Repr: Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Staff( Number of Terms: Meredith Sabye 16 First Appointed: 12/04/2023 Gender Identity: Female Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 10/15/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 12/31/2027 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: At-Large Number of Terms: 1 Sally Greene 17 First Appointed: 12/10/2024 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 12/10/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Expiration: 12/31/2025 Age Range: Special Repr: County Commissioner Number of Terms: Wednesday,October 29,2025 Page 3 14 Applicant Interest Listing by Board Name and by Applicant Name Contact Person: Laurie Paolicelli&Hannah Hem Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Contact Phone: 919-245-4323 Mrs. Amanda Frisard Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 06/11/2025 Ethnic Background: Native American Township: Chapel Hill Age Range 35-59 Zone of Residence: C.H.City Limits Also Serves On: Ms. Margaret Moriarty Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 11/06/2024 Ethnic Background: White Township: Chapel Hill Age Range 18-34 Zone of Residence: C.H.City Limits Also Serves On: Parks and Recreation Council Mr. Jonathan Sosidka Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 08/12/2024 Ethnic Background: White Township: Chapel Hill Age Range 18-34 Zone of Residence: C.H.City Limits Also Serves On: Wednesday,October 29,2025 Page 1 of 1 15 ORANGE COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ANNUAL REPORT/ WORK PLAN Board/Commission Name: Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board *Note: Requesting March meeting time slot Report Period: January 2024-December 2024 The Board of Commissioners appreciates the dedication of all the volunteers on their boards and commissions and welcomes input from various boards and commissions throughout the year. Please complete the following information, limited to the front and back of this form. Other background materials may be provided as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, this form. Person to address the BOCC and contact information: D.R. Bryan, Vice Chair, Bryan Properties, drbC@.bpropnc.com (919) 880-1478 Primary County Staff Contact Person: Ipaolicelli@visitchapelhill.org (919) 259-1658 How many times per month does this board/commission meet, including any special meetings and sub-committee meetings? Monthly, excluding July and December, for 1.5 hours each month. 10 meetings per year. Brief Statement of Board/Commission's Assigned Charge and Responsibilities. The mission of the Orange County Visitors Bureau is to develop and coordinate visitor services in Orange County and to implement marketing programs that will enhance the economic activity and quality of life in the community. What are your Board/Commission's most important accomplishments? • Orange County saw the highest increase in visitor spending out of all 100 North Carolina counties the prior year, 2023. • The nearly $267 million spent by visitors in Orange County in 2023 marked a 13% increase over the year before. • The Visitors Bureau serves to build and maintain the tourism industry in Orange County. • This year the Visitors Bureau increased focus on convention and business travelers through a national search engine marketing and communications program. 16 • Created a mini film festival online to encourage longer stays in Orange County. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ECHaTaLS8E&list=PLi2tRNR_PLIudIXubgT gymGX5yNWvdlhd • Redesigned the website showcasing local tourism: Visit Chapel Hill. • Encouraged international and national fans to the Celtic vs. Manchester City game to come downtown by offering hospitality promotions and using a trolley service for seamless exploration. • Financed Sonark Music's promotion on North Carolina PBS stations, highlighting Orange County music and rural beauty. • Provided services to hundreds of business conferences including the 13th NC Bike Walk Transportation Summit. • Continue to market diversity to National Association of Black Meeting Professionals using the www.chapelhilldiversity.com website and joined the National Association of Black Journalists. List of Specific Tasks, Events, or Functions Performed or Sponsored Annually. • Operation of a Walk-In Visitors Center that operates Monday through Saturdays. • Fulfillment of visitor racks at RDU Airport and state Visitor Center. • Production of an annual Orange County Visitors Guide and digital information. • Sponsorship of Orange County events that increase tourism. • Sales outreach to meeting and conferences managers' events to Orange County. • Hosting of travel press to establish stories on Orange County. • Management of a travel and tourism digital strategy. • Production of BIPOC business directory that is sent to media: www.chapelhilldiversity.com • Ongoing Data Analysis of key performance measures. Describe this board/commission's activities/accomplishments in carrying out BOCC goal(s)/priorities, if applicable. Economic development: Tourists and travelers contribute to three high-priority goals of Orange County- the generation of income, employment, and cultural exchange. 17 Describe the collaboration relationship(s) this board has with other advisory boards and commissions? The board has a monthly exchange of information, content, ideas and strategies with multiple boards and commissions including the Hillsborough and Chapel Hill Chambers of Commerce; Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership; Carrboro Business Alliance; Hillsborough Arts Council; Orange County Arts Commission; UNC Media Relations; UNC Athletics; North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association; North Carolina Travel and Tourism Coalition; Black Meeting Professionals; Society of American Travel Writers; Public Relations Society of America; VisitNC tourism. Identify any activities this board/commission expects to carry out in 2025 as they relate to established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is there a fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff time, other resources) associated with these proposed activities (please list). Using a portion of Orange County's 3% hotel occupancy tax, The Orange County Visitor Bureau champions the interests of local businesses that drive $550 million in annual sales through food, apparel, lodging, and other visitor-supported industries. With 468 leisure and hospitality establishments employing over 7,500 individuals-18% of the county's workforce—the Visitor Bureau fosters economic growth, job creation, and community vitality, making Orange County a premier destination for visitors and residents alike. What are the concerns or emerging issues your board has identified for the upcoming year that it plans to address, or wishes to bring to the Commissioners' attention? Greater user of Al Travel has become one of the most popular use cases for Al that Google, Microsoft, and OpenAl like to point to in demos, and firms like Tripadvisor, Expedia, and Booking.com have started to launch AI-powered vacation-planning products too. The Visitors Bureau must recognize and support travelers use of Al when booking their trip to Orange County. Al agents can create itineraries, translate languages, book rooms, and provide restaurant suggestions. Our technology must be compatible with Al. Our public relations efforts repurpose local promotional materials on our website and in our news releases.