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Approved January 18, 2017 MINUTES Chapel Hill /Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Meeting November 16, 2016 The Chapel Hill /Orange County Visitors Bureau met at The Aloft, Chapel Hill, NC Board Members Present: George Cianciolo, Penny Rich, Shannan Campbell, Andrew Strickland, Tim Hoke, Mark Bell, Lee Storrow, Jeffrey Strickler, Rosemary Waldorf- Chair, Karen DeHart, Aaron Bachenheimer, Mark Sherburne, Michelle Johnson Not Present: Annette Stone, Allison Nichols- Clapper, Lee Pavao, Nitin Khanna, Meg McGurk Staff attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera, Allison Chambers, Steve Brantley Also present: David Routh, UNC /VC Development, Kayla Austin, NCHSAA, Gloria Farrar, The Friday Center, Tina Mazzullo, Director of Sales, Aloft Chapel Hill Call to Order Chair Rosemary Waldorf called the meeting to order at 8:08 am. Introductions were given by all. Approval of Minutes Chair Waldorf requested a motion to approve the October 19, 2016 minutes. Mark Bell so moved and George Cianciolo seconded. With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted. New Business Laurie Paolicelli attended the most recent meeting of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners where a discussion was held regarding the renovation of the old Chapel Hill Town Hall to make it the new home of the Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau. The discussion included Commissioner Barry Jacobs' desire that the renovations not be made using expenditures of Orange County. Penny Rich said that many scenarios were discussed, including what would be done with the Bentley Building that presently houses the Bureau and how funds generated by the repurposing might be used for this project. Penny Rich went on to remind the board that these discussions are in the very early stages. A committee has been appointed to study this which includes Commissioner Rich, Sally Greene -Chair and several community members. Chair Waldorf stated that it should be this board's position that we take no position on whether the building should be renovated or should the Visitors Bureau occupy it. That should be a town and county decision. She does feel that we should make clear to those entities that the occupancy tax collected needs to remain allocated to tourism marketing, advertising, and support of the arts. Penny Rich pointed out that when the IFC moves to Carrboro, the town will have to renovate the building. George Cianciolo added that the cost would most likely be on the higher side of three million dollars as there will be a great deal of asbestos to remove. Commissioner Rich will keep the Visitors Bureau Board updated on the progress of the committee. Lee Storrow stated that pairing the Visitors Center with an attraction, such as a Chapel Hill Historic Museum, would strengthen the Visitors Center and he proposed the board put together a list of common principles related to the positivity of this proposal. Chair Waldorf suggested that he, Meg McGurk and Laurie Paolicelli put their heads together and brainstorm these principles.