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Executive Directors Report HB2 has resulted in us being taken off a lot of organizations bid lists resulting in a $1.6 million revenue loss thus far. We are also losing revenue as a result of compression when Durham and Cary lose business. We have hired Convention Sports and Leisure (CSL) to conduct a feasibility study to let us know how we can generate more demand for our area in the future. The focus is on three primary areas including sports fields, which could be adversely affected by HB2. Ms. Paolicelli is hopeful that the state tourism board will launch a branding campaign for the state of NC to remind people of our multi - dimensional personalities. How HB2 will affect our economy will not be known until next year. Business is good but an election year always results in a fickle economy as will new hotel supply and HB2. Ms. Paolicelli introduced a new app we are rolling out next month called NC Farms as part of a pilot program with the NC Department of Agriculture. The app helps the user locate pick your own farms, back to nature opportunities and farm tours. This will be introduced at the Ag Summit in February. We are also working on a Tobacco Road (triangle) College Tour app in cooperation with the Raleigh and Durham Visitors Bureaus. The Visitors Bureau will have a float in the October 15 Handmade Parade in Hillsborough to support the arts. The float is a VW bus painted on canvas by local mural artist Michael Brown. The banner that precedes the float will read "All aboard, everyone welcome" as part of our response to HB2. Ms. Paolicelli encouraged the board to check out the bureau's new website, www.visitchapelhill.org . She also reminded everyone that the Terra VITTA food festival, an event that the Visitors Bureau Board voted to become title sponsor of, begins on September 28 and runs through October 1. New Business /Roundtable Vice -Chair Pavao acknowledged all for updates in their respective fields: Michelle Johnson reported that this coming Saturday at town hall there will be a dedication ceremony to dedicate Carrboro's latest mural painted by Michael Brown on Jones Ferry Rd. The annual Carrobor Music Festival will take place the following weekend and members of the Carrboro Board of Alderman will participate in the Pride Parade in Durham on Saturday as well. Ground breaking for new hotel in Carrboro will be during the first quarter of 2017. Meg McGurk shared that Tar Heel Downtown was a great success on September 16, and the plaza at 140 was at capacity for the first time. Twelve thousand people are expected on West Franklin St. on October 2 for Festifall. The Downtown Partnership is looking at ways to improve the downtown alley ways as well as tactical urban projects. She reported that this has been an unprecedented summer as no businesses have closed in downtown Chapel Hill. They have also seen an uptick in businesses that will serve residents such as gyms. George Cianciolo reported that the Chapel Hill Town Council has asked the town manager to take a look at parking needs. One of the options they would like to revisit is adding two floors to the top of the Wallace Deck as potential office space, affordable office space. Laurie Paolicelli reported that Lee Storrow will attend the LGBTQ International Gay Lesbian Travel Association Conference in Las Vegas in December on behalf of the Visitors Bureau. Meeting Adjourned at 9:04 am. 31 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting September 21, 2016