CH-OCVB minutes 021716 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Budget Update Next years proposed budget totals approximately $1.5 million. Commissioner Rich highlighted the following requests in the proposed budget: the addition of a graphic artist to the Visitors Bureau Staff which would save expenses in operations going forward; moving the Arts Commission back into the Economic Development budget and out of the Visitors Bureau budget. The Arts Commission is a grants administration agency whose grants dollars come from the State and Orange County's general fund. The Commission is housed in Economic Development. Deb Hepp, the Orange County Arts Commission representative to this board, stated that her fellow arts commissioners support having this funded from the County's general fund because it is not their purpose to promote tourism in the county, but rather the arts. Discussion continued on the administrative fee (indirect costs) the Bureau pays to the county. Rich said that with direction from the board she would like to investigate the possibility of having the administrative fee eliminated or reduced. In addition, Rich (with Paolicelli) stated that we have budgeted 1.2 million in occupancy tax which is an increase of 7% over last year's budget. Also budgeted is a $200,000 contribution from the Town of Chapel Hill and a request to appropriate from fund balance: $100,000. One new item this next fiscal year is a feasibility study to investigate the potential for our community to support a conference center. Chair Waldorf is proposing the formation of a review committee to look at the scope and cost of all the proposals and to report to the board at our next scheduled meeting. She has asked Vice -Chair Lee Pavao, Mark Sherburne and Anthony Carey to join herself and Laurie Paolicelli on this committee. After some discussion Chair Waldorf suggested we approve a motion to have the Arts Commission budget and the County Administrative Fee removed from the Visitors Bureau Budget. Deb Hepp moved that the Arts Commission be funded through Economic Development and Lee Pavao seconded the motion. Lee Pavao moved that the board request the Administrative Fee be removed, or reduced, in the Visitors Bureau budget. Mark Bell seconded the motion. Sales port Marlene Barbera reported that this fiscal year she will do additional UNC Live Well Work Well which is backyard marketing and add two more trade shows. These shows are Expo NC, which is in the Triangle and Destination Southeast in May. She will also attend Connect and the Small Markets Meeting. Cyndi Golden is still onboard and making headway. She also shared how the RFP process works. So far this year, fifty -five leads have been sent out, each of which could go to five or six hotels. Ms. Paolicelli asked if she was making progress in attaching an economic equation to events that are held in the county. She reported that she was not asked that by the event organizers. Ms. Paolicelli suggested we come up with an economic impact calculator to help groups formulate this. New BUsiness/Round table Vice -Chair Pavao acknowledged all for updates in their respective fields: Michelle Johnson reported that the Board of Alderman will be discussing a proposed new hotel at their next meeting. The hotel developer has asked Ms. Paolicelli to attend the meeting. Shannan Campbell reported that Hillsborough is trying to bring Hog Day back to the town. It is expected to be a smaller event. Revolutionary War Day is happening this coming Saturday. She is attempting to get some of their restaurants involved in Triangle Restaurant week. The Hillsborough Visitor's Center been experiencing a large increase in their Facebook page participation. Sara Stephens, with the Hillsborough Chambers of Commerce shared that the downtown merchants association has agreed to become a subset of the Chamber. They are hosting a St. Patrick's Day fun run down the Riverwalk which will 21Page C II..I0C V B B 0 D 1Meetfiing Fecb11rvL!a11 -y 1 .7, 2 01.6