2016-326-E Visitors Bureau - Conventions Sports & Leisure for feasibility study of potential new convention center, etc. in OC

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DocuSign Envelope ID: 137AC14B-6250-4081-9084-0BF0B086A047 Ms. Laurie Paolicelli June 3, 2016 Page 2 of 13 We will conduct initial in-person, one-on-one interviews in Orange County with key project stakeholders to obtain background information related to the project. In addition to CHOCVB and County leaders, these interviews could include individuals such as elected and appointed city/state officials, key hotel owners and managers, Chamber of Commerce leaders, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke and leadership among other local academic institutions, tourism industry representatives, restaurateurs, business leaders and other civic and visitor industry representatives or project stakeholders. These meetings will focus on analyzing conditions with regard to local market characteristics, facility needs and the opportunities that future investment in the public assembly facility and hospitality sector may represent. Specifically, through this process, we will: • establish a working group that will include representatives of local project leaders; • assemble important project related data; • gain initial insight and perspective into local conditions that will impact the research process; • establish the format and content of our deliverable products; and • modify the work plan, if necessary, to reflect any appropriate changes arising from the information obtained in the steps noted above. Step 2. Local Market Conditions Analysis The purpose of this step is to define and evaluate the local market characteristics of the Orange County area as well as the existing event facility infrastructure (i.e., convention, conference, meeting, civic and spectator facilities). Initially, the analysis will focus on demographic/socioeconomic attributes and will be instrumental in understanding how Orange County is presently positioned in the meeting, spectator, civic and local event industries (i.e., events with attendance bases that are primarily locally-based). Additionally, the primary components of a successful convention destination/event package will be evaluated in order to assess the area's ability to support added convention, conference, meeting and other event activity. This aspect of the analysis is critical in understanding the community's visitor industry resources and infrastructure. The analysis will include a review of Orange County area market data, both current and projected, to assess the area's ability to accommodate added event activity (i.e., typically economic impact generating events that have a significant portion of out-of-town attendance). Characteristics to be evaluated as part of this overall analysis step include the following: • committable, convention-quality lodging properties and rooms; • existing/planned convention, event and lodging facilities in the local area; • lodging unit cost structures; • key demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and trends, such as population, disposable income, retail sales, entertainment spending, corporate base and other such indicators; • proximity issues to other regional markets; • air, rail, ground transportation and shuttle access, cost and availability; • entertainment, recreation and cultural amenities; • key community resources; and, • other such characteristics.