Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Ms. Green stated that Sheer and Associates designed that ad and the Carolina Heritage <br /> Guide ad. Also, two additional ads would be appearing in other trade publications soon. <br /> BUDGET AND FINANCE <br /> Mr. Moses Carey, treasurer, stated that only the "gross receipts"portion of the financial <br /> reports was enclosed in the board packet. Ms. Green explained that June 30, 1997 was <br /> the fiscal year ending for Orange County. To insure the accuracy of the financial reports <br /> to the board, the year-end report will be in the October board packet. She noted that over <br /> $400,000 in occupancy tax had been collected for the 1996-97 fiscal year. <br /> DIRECTOR'S REPORT <br /> Ms. Green reported to the board about a new festival that was being planned to celebrate <br /> black culture. It will occur throughout the months of January and February in 1998. At <br /> this time many details of the event are not clear but additional information will be <br /> distributed to board members, as it becomes available. The role of the Visitors Bureau <br /> will be to help promote the festival outside the immediate area. Sheer and Associates will <br /> design and place advertisements for the event. <br /> Ms. Green noted that Sheer Associates was working with the bureau to create a marketing <br /> slogan. She suggested that the board review these slogans before submitting the final <br /> highway sign design to the Board of Commissioners. It is likely that this new slogan can <br /> be used on the highway sign and will ultimately be more effective than "People Progress <br /> Preservation,"which is now being suggested. The board agreed to let Ms. Green come <br /> back at the October meeting with suggested marketing slogans, and to review the highway <br /> sign project at that time. <br /> The Visitors Bureau has been asked to serve in a pilot program by CitySearch entitled <br /> "Community Works." This involves the creation of an interactive web site for the Bureau <br /> using "pages" and topics that would be of interest to a local audience. Our site will <br /> feature items such as how to invite a group or organization you are a member of to hold <br /> their next meeting or conference in Orange County, how to find a hotel room for family <br /> and friends during peak"sell-out" times, and a description of services offered by the <br /> visitors bureau. The information on this site can be updated by the Bureau instead of a <br /> third party, allowing frequent, fast changes. It also allows interaction via e-mail with our <br /> constituents or interested citizens who sign up to be part of our "community." <br /> A draft of the bureau's lure brochure was distributed to members present. Ms. Green <br /> asked that board members review the brochure and if they had questions or concerns to <br /> call the office today with suggestions. She further explained the lure brochure was a tool <br /> used at the RDU airport and at North Carolina welcome centers to "lure"visitors to the <br /> Chapel Hill/Orange County area. <br /> 2 <br />