|
that gap by bringing in corporate business which pays a higher rate. Ms. Paolicelli added that we are continuing our "All
<br />Are Welcome" campaign. Commissioner Rich reported that the Bureau's fund balance is at approximately $260,000,
<br />which is an unaudited number. Lydia Lavelle asked Laurie Paolicelli to speak to the new line item in the budget "Bike
<br />Safety ". She responded that Orange County Community Relations has been tasked with creating a signage program that
<br />reminds of safety issues. The county came to the bureau for help with media reach to get that message out. The
<br />general fund will provide $10,000 with the Visitors Bureau contributing $5,000 to help spread the word.
<br />Guest Report
<br />Annette Stone reminded the board that by statute all of the occupancy tax they collect must be spent on travel and
<br />tourism. Two thirds must go to promote travel and tourism with one third going to tourism related expenditures, which
<br />includes capital expenditures. The CTDA leases space in the 300 East Main Street Parking Deck, which is not owned by
<br />the town. The full lease amount is $90,000 and the CTDA pays $45,000 of that amount. $25,000 is spent on advertising.
<br />Carrboro festivals and events are a $35,200 expenditure as follows: Carrboro Film Festival, $9,200; Poetry Festival,
<br />$2,000; Carrboro Music Festival, $11,000 and the Freight Train Blues, $13,000. Community events total $20,850: Elf Fair,
<br />$2,600; 10x10, $5,000; Terra Vita $4,000; Tomato Day, $2,000; Shimmer $1,500; Florafitti $750; NATJA, $5,000. The
<br />$25,000 advertising expenditure includes: Indy Beer Guide, Indy Eats, Indy Finder, Carolina Performing Arts, Chapel Hill
<br />Magazine Relocation Visitors Guide, Durham Magazine Relocation Visitors Guide, Chamber Relocation Visitor
<br />Guides /Maps, hotel guides located in the Hampton Inn, Carolina Inn and the Sienna. Carrboro has one hotel, The
<br />Hampton Inn, and it experiences higher than average Occupancy Rates, and higher than average Daily Rates than the
<br />average Orange County hotel. Most guests come from the Triangle followed by Charlotte, Washington, DC, Atlanta and
<br />the Triad. Possible priorities for 2017 -18 include: funding for wayfinding; increased funds for the parking deck, new
<br />advertising strategies and digital media promotion. Lydia Lavelle reminded the board that the Hampton Inn has been a
<br />very good thing for Carrboro's downtown and that they are looking forward to the second hotel. Carrboro Town
<br />Manager, David Andrews stated that parking will be a challenge with the opening of the new hotel, but a new deck is
<br />being planned as part of the 203 S. Greensboro Street development. Laurie Paolicelli interjected that we need more
<br />sales generators. A concept plan of the 203 S. Greensboro Street development is available on their website.
<br />Greensboro Street in front of South Green has reopened and the roundabout will be started soon. At present several
<br />restaurants and a nail salon have signed leases.
<br />Executive Director's Report
<br />Laurie Paolicelli thanked the board for a very productive fiscal year, as it comes to an end. She introduced the board to
<br />its newest member, David Brooks of the Triangle Area Polo Club, who will represent the Hillsborough Chamber of
<br />Commerce. At the request of the US Polo Association he started a club about 5 years ago and they are now a model of
<br />what can be done in a small market and are a tier three club. The club does charitable events. In September they have
<br />a "battle of the blues" between UNC and Duke employees and alumni. Ms. Paolicelli reported that she is serving on the
<br />American Legion Committee looking at possible recreational or economic development uses for the property. George
<br />Cianciolo reported that the majority of the Chapel Hill Town Council would like to see something on the property that
<br />produces revenue for the town as there are two more payments to be made on the purchase. Blue Dogwood will open
<br />as a food market in the side of the old Fowlers Grocery (behind Vespa) building in October 2017 with 13, 10 x 10 booths.
<br />The Old Town Hall work group has reported to the town council and it is now in their hands to decide what to do with it.
<br />It will cost $3 million to gut. The Chapel Hill Town Council has no interest in selling the building. Commissioner Rich
<br />shared that during public hearings residents had expressed a need for more space for art to be displayed. Rosemary
<br />Street is being redeveloped. A sub - committee of the Visitors Bureau is looking at Ad Agencies through the County's RFP
<br />process. They have completed one round of interviews and are going to look further as the process moves forward.
<br />21 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting August 16, 2017
<br />
|