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2 | Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting April 15 , 2015 Mr. Hallman also briefed board members on the individual tourism boards and authorities: the tourism board deals with grants and is funded through F&B tax, whereas the tourism authority is funded through occupancy taxes and is currently reviewing ways to use the occupancy tax revenue. Mr. Hallman reported that the town is adding staff member(s) to help with tourism. Libbie Hough commented that there is a need to integrate services seamlessly without so much overlap and to align their missions as a whole in order to use their funds most effectively. Laurie Paolicelli commented that a concern would be that the occupancy tax would erode to things not benefitting hotels. Mike Gering commented that each board has enabling legislation with separate objectives and it would be a huge risk to get that legislation changed. Libbie Hough commented that two people from the tourism board serve on the TDA board but boards cannot meet together. Budget Update Penny Rich reported that February occupancy receipts are up from last year. Anthony commented and reiterated Nitin Khanna’s concern that Epic rooms are gone; curious as to how March, April & May will look but noted that hotels are bringing in a higher Occupancy rate and RevPAR. Ms. Rich reported that the Bureau is spending down the fund balance. Ms. Rich reported that next year’s budget request is 1.4 million and Laurie Paolicelli will review in her report. Penny expressed concern about Orange County Arts Commission’s public art placeholder of $25,000 – stating that the petitioned Ad-hoc committee has not been created yet. Rosemary Waldorf inquired if the occupancy tax came from just the Chapel Hill hotels. Laurie Paolicelli replied that it comes from all Orange County hotels. Executive Director Report Laurie Paolicelli alerted the Visitors Bureau board about an upcoming story in Chapel Hill News about the possibility of the Visitors Center one day relocating to the Old Town Hall on MLK. Although the newspaper article was reporting on a meeting Roger Stancil had with local groups, at this point everything was discussion only and many moving parts were involved, although the subject was prudent and one that should take place said Paolicelli. Paolicelli turned discussion to the 2015-16 budget being proposed noting that because this board requested that the fund balance be spent this current year, the budget actually looked as it were less than the current fiscal year. In fact it reflects 5% growth with noted projects being: Advertising, which appears less because of the large amount of appropriated fund balance to advertising this year. However now that the Foodie and LGBT promotions were created, the advertising placements will remain steady. A new position of social media coordinator will be added; and a sales contractor will be hired to build leads with sales director. Other highlights include an overhauled website, publications, a mobile visitor kiosk and rural and foodie promotions. Although the OCAC has a line item of $25,000, this has not been discussed by BOCC or the Manager. Mike Gering wants to be sure we are not reducing advertising. Anthony Carey asked for a sales report next month to review sales expenditures. New Business/Roundtable Debbie Hepp/ Arts Commission reported on the dates for the next grant cycle; a new website is on the horizon; and a call to artists for public display at the new EMC building in Raleigh. Meg McGurk/Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership updated members with new summer planned events: Live & Local and Music under the Stars. She also reported that Carolina Square (123 West Franklin- old University Sq.) will undergo a 5 month deconstruction and new construction should begin in September – Granville Towers will remain and house summer campers as usual. May 10 is UNC Commencement. Aaron Bachenheimer reported that the Grad Orientation will shift from a Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri schedule to a Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu schedule and invited feedback from the hoteliers on any changes in occupancy due to the change in days.