Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
COMMITTEE REPORTS <br /> Budget and Finance Committee <br /> Mr. Moses Carey reported that the revenue for the Bureau was more than projected this <br /> time of year. Mr. Blake explained that many of the vendors for advertising did not submit <br /> invoices until November. The November financial report will reflect the payments and <br /> that will bring the yearly projected budget within line. Mr. Carey stated that the overall <br /> budget was in a good financial position. <br /> DIRECTOR'S REPORT <br /> Mr. Joe Blake reported that a meeting regarding a proposed shuttle service for Orange <br /> County accommodations would be held at the Sheraton Hotel on December 28th. A <br /> survey was conducted in February 1999 and responses from local accommodations <br /> indicated they were in favor of a shuttle service. Mr. Wayne Thorpe, owner of R & G <br /> Transportation and Limousine Service, will be present at this meeting to discuss plans for <br /> his company to provide the service. Memos have been forwarded to all Orange County <br /> accommodations informing and inviting them to the meeting. <br /> Mr. Blake informed the Board Members that the Bureau was a member of the <br /> International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and that organization <br /> (IACVB) has contracted the D. K. Shifflet and Associates, Ltd. to do marketing research <br /> for the tourism industry. Our Bureau can obtain information based on market research for <br /> 1998 on visitation to Orange County for $1,000.00 from IACVB. Using IACVB <br /> marketing research would be a significant savings. Additional market research statistics <br /> could be obtained in January 2000 for a cost of$1,000.00. <br /> Occupancy tax receipts for the Chapel Hill/Orange County area showed that occupancy <br /> tax was up 7 1/2% and the average daily rate was $105.00. <br /> OLD BUSINESS <br /> Marketing Committee <br /> Mr. Creston Wood, Chair of the Marketing Committee, reported that the Bureau was <br /> experiencing a large market from the promotional brochure, "Wonderful, Whimsical <br /> Winter." Also, that the recent advertising has generated interest in the Chapel Hill/Orange <br /> County area, which, historically is the slower time for accommodations. <br /> The website is strong and now the updates on the website can be performed in-house. <br /> The visitors bureau staff is currently updating the visitors guide and a final draft copy <br /> should be available at the January Board Meeting. <br /> 2 <br />