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Approved August 19, 2015
<br />MINUTES
<br />Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Meeting
<br />June 17, 2015
<br />The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau met at
<br />The Courtyard by Marriott
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<br />Board Members Present: Libbie Hough, Lee Storrow, Debbie Hepp, Rosemary Waldorf, Jill McCullough, Aaron
<br />Bachenheimer, Lee Pavao, Penny Rich, Meg McGurk, Karen DeHart, Michelle Johnson, Nitin Khanna
<br />Not Present: Anthony Carey, Mike Gering, Mark Sherburne, Annette Stone
<br />Staff attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera, Susan Rice, Tina Fuller, Martha Shannon (EDC)
<br />Also present: Colleen Minton, TerraVita and Eric Hallman, Town of Hillsborough
<br />Call to Order
<br />Vice-Chair, Lee Storrow, called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. Introductions were made by all.
<br />Words from Hosting Hotel
<br />Mr. Storrow recognized Sales Director, Erin Dale as our meeting host. Ms. Dale welcomed board members and
<br />introduced the Courtyard’s new Sales Coordinator, Kristen Burger. Ms. Dale gave an update on the hotel stating that
<br />Interstate Hotels & Resorts began management of the Courtyard in February; also all their rooms will now have
<br />refrigerators and microwaves, not just the suites. Ms. Dale reported that aside from the normal slow months of July,
<br />December & January their market share is growing.
<br />Approval of Minutes
<br />Mr. Storrow requested a motion to approve the May 20, 2015 minutes. Penny Rich so moved, Lee Pavao seconded. With
<br />all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted.
<br />TerraVita Update
<br />Mr. Storrow recognized Colleen Minton for an update on TerraVita. Ms. Minton thanks the board for their support over
<br />the years. Ms. Minton shared attendee statistic results from last year’s event stating that 1600 were in attendance; of
<br />those 20% were from 50 plus miles away and 10% of those were from out of state. Over 50% were new attendees, 64%
<br />were in the 35-64 YOA bracket, 60% reported having an income of over $100,000 and 21% reported an income of over
<br />$200,000. Minton gave an overview of this year’s festival stating that she added one more sustainability class which
<br />would be on Saturday, as in the past, a percentage of ticket sales would go to charity, and the dates of the event are
<br />October 8-10. She also reported that she hired a PR person, Jennifer Noble Kelly. Laurie Paolicelli commented that
<br />TerraVita put Chapel Hill on the map, as Ms. Minton noted, several high profile food authorities and aficionados have
<br />taken notice with great reviews and or by participation. Ms. Paolicelli inquired how do we grow this event but also keep
<br />the event here in Chapel Hill/Orange County particularly when Raleigh and Durham have already requested the festival
<br />take place in their cities. Rosemary Waldorf inquired on the fundraising for TerraVita. Ms. Minton replied that they
<br />raised $85,000 last year at a cost of $45,000 but in order to grow, staff needs to grow i.e. a PR Director, Program
<br />Director, and Sponsorship Director. Minton said her goal is to raise $50,000 more in sponsorships this year stating that
<br />any profits would go back into the community. Ms. Paolicelli stated that after the budget review later in the meeting,
<br />may be able to find extra funding to support the event. Penny Rich added that if any board member knows of potential
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