Orange County NC Website
Approved October 21, 2015 <br />MINUTES <br />Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Meeting <br />September 16, 2015 <br />The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau met at <br />Performance AutoMall, Chapel Hill <br /> <br /> <br />Board Members Present: Anthony Carey, Libbie Hough, Lee Storrow, Debbie Hepp, Jill McCullough, Karen DeHart, Aaron <br />Bachenheimer, Lee Pavao, Michelle Johnson, Mike Gering, Annett Stone, Meg McGurk <br />Not Present: Rosemary Waldorf, Mark Sherburne, Penny Rich <br />Staff attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera, Tina Fuller <br />Also present: Corey Bass and Chuck Schroeder with Tar Heel Sports Properties; Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen, UNC Dept. of City & <br />Regional Planning; Andrew Strickland, GM Residence Inn; and Shannon Campbell, Economic Development Planner for <br />Town of Hillsborough. <br />Call to Order <br />Chairman Anthony Carey called the meeting to order at 8:10 am. <br />Introductions were given by all. <br />Approval of Minutes <br />Mr. Cary requested a motion to approve the August 19, 2015 minutes. Lee Pavao so moved, Libbie Hough seconded. <br />With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted. <br />Guest/host speakers <br />Chairman Carey recognized Corey Bass and Chuck Schroeder from Tar Heel Sports Properties. Mr. Bass thanked the <br />board for their partnership with their organization. Mr. Schroeder talked about working with the marketing team at UNC <br />and how Tar Heel Town can draw in more visitors to downtown. <br />Chairman Carey recognized Jill McCullough, Communications Director for Performance AutoMall and board member. <br />Ms. McCullough spoke about their most current campaign message stating that they can service any make and model <br />vehicle at these facilities, not just the brands they sell. Ms. McCullough informed members that Performance employs <br />about 350 people and noted that their Porsche franchise is relocating to SouthPoint. <br />Chairman Carey recognized Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen. Dr. Nguyen spoke on some of her collaborations with local government <br />agencies to assist them with future growth and development planning. She spoke on her recently work with the City of <br />Asheville to conduct a study and economic analysis of short term rentals and how they affect communities, competing <br />hotels/B&B’s, and affordable housing. Dr. Nguyen reported that she also worked with NCRLA in legislation for tax <br />collection and reporting by Airbnb for North Carolina counties. Legislation was passed and goes into effect August 15, <br />2015. Dr. Nguyen cautioned though that at this time there is really no way to monitor the process. She also discussed <br />affordable housing in certain distressed neighborhoods of Durham. Mike Gering inquired what sort of housing and <br />development she could help with in Orange County. Dr. Nguyen replied that she would need more time to evaluate the <br />area, but can see that density is a big issue in Chapel Hill. Laurie Paolicelli added that she reached out to Dr. Nguyen in <br />relation to tourism development. Ms. Paolicelli stated that developers reach out the Visitors Bureau for information on <br />whether the area can sustain more hotel and meeting space. Paolicelli said she cannot give them an informed answer.