Minutes - 02-17-1999 Board Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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staff positions. Blake advised that the unused personnel funds would be used to accomplish additional marketing projects prior to year's end. Marketing Committee Mr. Creston Woods, Marketing Chair, reported that the website continued to improve with approximately 2000 site visits for January. He also reported that filming of stock footage for the destination video was complete and production would begin once the script is finalized. Mr. Woods noted that the group tour manual revisions were near completion and should go to print in a short time. Lastly, he announced that the marketing committee would meet in mid-Spring to begin preparation of the `99-`00 marketing plan, which will be presented to the board at the June meeting. DIRECTORS REPORT Mr. Blake reported recent changes in Orange County lodging accommodations. The newly constructed Days Inn Chapel Hill opened its doors for business on February 11, 1999. Regretfully, the Village Bed and Breakfast Inn closed on November 30, 1998. Mr. Blake announced that Betty Davis had received a promotion to the position of sales coordinator at the Visitors Bureau. He also informed that the search for the director of sales position was progressing. The final candidates for the position, all having sales experience, were scheduled for interviews and the selection process would be completed as soon as possible. An announcement was made that the North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitor Bureau's would host the 7th Annual Tri-State Convention and Visitor Bureau's Conference in Chapel Hill at the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel on March 28 —31, 1999. The group had chosen our bid out of eighteen submitted due largely to the attractive package offered by the Sheraton and the perception that our destination would be a draw for other industry professionals. The conference was anticipated to generate attendance of approximately 200 industry professionals from not only the tri-state members, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, but also Georgia, Tennessee and West Virginia, who had also been invited. Mr. Blake reported that the NC Bid Committee for the 2007 Pan Am Games had been impacted by the International Olympic Committee scandal. The Triangle site visit previously scheduled for late February has been postponed to fall 1999 by the U.S. Olympic Committee. Mr. Blake announced that the July 4th closing ceremonies for the Special Olympics World Summer Games have been moved from Kenan Stadium at UNC-CH to the Wallace Wade Stadium at Duke University. He also informed the Board that the Orange County accommodations, which are participating as family hotels for the Games, are full. 2