Agenda - 02-26-2015 - Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment 2d Hillsborough Tourism Summary The Town implemented a 3.0% occupancy tax approximately two years ago. Funds have not yet been disbursed. The Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is developing a budget and in the process of developing a funding strategy. The Tourism Board and TDA, in conjunction with the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, Visitor's Center, and Town are exploring new strategies for funding tourism, tourism promotion, and other related efforts in Hillsborough. Won the first round of voting in Budget Travel Magazine's Coolest Small Town in America, currently in 3rd place in the semi -final round. Public information staff from the Alliance /Visitor's Center and the Town have issued daily promotions via social media and the web during this contest. A video was produced and placed on Budget Travel's website explaining why Hillsborough is America's coolest small town. Riverwalk is a finalist for the American Planning Association, North Carolina Chapter — Great Places in North Carolina Contest for Great Greenways. Voting is currently taking place. A brochure was produced for Hillsborough's Historic properties that highlighted the town's commitment to historic preservation, inviting visitors to explore To help launch a community radio station in Hillsborough, the Visitors Bureau provided "founding sponsor" dollars to WHUP, scheduled to be on the air in June. A photography library on Hillsborough was commissioned by the Visitors Bureau, using photographer Donn Young, to capture images of Riverwalk, Churton Street, Last Fridays, Nash Street, Daniel Boone Village, Historic Properties, downtown merchants, restaurants and the Cupola. Video, originally commissioned by the Visitors Bureau, was used to produce a 2 minute presentation on Hillsborough for on -line use. For Hillsborough's holiday season, the Visitors Bureau secured a 4 week promotion on Chapelboro and WCHL and dedicated a staff member to provide public relations. Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens was interviewed and photographed by the Visitors Bureau for a national wire story on small town America. To support Hillsborough- based, News of Orange, the visitors bureau ran "50 Reasons to Love Orange County," advertisement in the newspaper, periodically in 2014. Hillsborough's story, which is a story of the south. Visitors Bureau sales staff works closely with A targeted advertising campaign was produced and placed in Virginia and Charlotte, reminding interstate travelers of Hillsborough's downtown and area hotels. Our State magazine, at the urging of the Visitors Bureau, produced a 30 page section on Hillsborough in its October 2014 edition. Hillsborough hotels to provide leads on group business. Hillsborough brochures are distributed at the Visitors Center to walk -in visitors. News of Hillsborough events are sent to the Chapel Hill Herald every Wednesday for inclusion in the The Visitors Bureau, at the Alliance for Historic Sunday edition. Hillsborough's request, ran an ad in the New York Times to augment a feature story on Hillsborough residents Steven Burke and Randy Campbell. Throughout summer 2014, the Visitors Bureau, at the request of Hillsborough Arts Council, ran an 8 -week advertising campaign in the INDY to remind Triangle residents of Last Fridays in Hillsborough. A planning session was held with leaders at Ayr Mount to discuss promotional activity surrounding their bicentennial in 2015. Moving forward, the Visitors Bureau is working with Eric Hallman on possible future promotions. Hillsborough Town Board Member Hallman is the tourism liaison in Hillsborough.