Minutes 03-21-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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She said that the economy is starting to dip mid-week and this is the business that pays the higher rate. Laurie Paolicelli said the challenge regarding the hospitality industry was to come up with a campaign to stimulate mid-week business. She said it was realized that new audience needs to be cultivated in order to prevent taking away business from one hotel to another. This led to the placement of ads in the New Yorker, Wired, Golf Digest, etc. She said that rates are increasing and this is a good metric for success, even better than occupancy. She said that rates and revenues are up. She noted that Carolina Inn is suffering a bit. She said a study done recently asked what would make people most likely to come to the area. She said the respondents wanted to know about food, nightlife, economy, and entertainment, outside of the University. She said it was clear that Chapel Hill needs to be more in the foodie and music business. Laurie Paolicelli said the Visitors Bureau has partnered with UNC to create a national music campaign called Listen, and there will be much more coming out from a music standpoint. She said the bureau continues to work on the parking problems and there is some concern over the construction happening over the summer; however, she feels there has been good communication about this issue. She referenced the possible relocation of the Visitors Center, which is in its infancy. She said there is growing demand, a need for more parking, and a possible need to be strategically located on the interstate. She said the overall metrics are good and Chapel Hill has 90% positive feedback. Mayor Kleinschmidt said he thinks it is a big mistake for the Visitors Bureau (VB) to move out of downtown Chapel Hill and away from what it is selling-which is Chapel Hill. Laurie Paolicelli said that this consideration is based off of responses from visitors regarding difficulty locating the VB and difficulties with parking. She said this seems to be escalating, and the move is still a conversation at this point. Mayor Kleinschmidt said he is just concerned about the VB's ability to be successful in its mission. He said he feels this mission is undermined if the VB is not located in the area that it recommends to visitors. Council Member Matt Czajkowski said he would like for the old library to be back on the table as a venue for the Visitor's Bureau, and he noted that it has 27 parking spaces. Commissioner Price said she would like to see the VB stay in downtown Chapel Hill. Frank Clifton said the issue is that visitors are not necessarily walking to the Bureau, and they come by automobile and can't find a place to park. He said that with the community college next door, the parking lots stay full. He said the effort is to find an effective way to get business, not for the people that live here, but for the visitors. Mayor Kleinschmidt suggested the east end or next to a hotel. Laurie Paolicelli said the high traffic coming into town from 185 and 140 and MLK Edge project were all considerations. Mayor Kleinschmidt said that this is not what visitors are coming to target. Frank Clifton said the issue for the county is people not being able to find the visitors center. He said that if you are near enough to the interstate, it will allow signage on the interstate directing people to the Visitors Center where information can then be given on finding downtown. He said this creates more opportunity for interaction. Council Member Jim Ward questioned how the VB will know exactly where to put signage and said this will potentially only draw in a fraction of people coming in. He said that this will eliminate the other people because the VB will be on the outer spokes of the wheel, so to speak. Chair Jacobs suggested that this be discussed at a future meeting.