CH-OCVB minutes 021914 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 | Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting February 19 ,2014 Reports Budget/Finance Penny Rich gave an update on the current budget, reporting that January’s revenue and expenditures were on target. Rich acknowledged that a request to appropriate $200,000 of the fund balance is in the 2014-15 proposed budget earmarked for culinary tourism events, visitor center enhancements, and heightened sales efforts. She indicated that a discussion would have to be held on the $20,000 in funds that the Orange County Arts Commission is requesting and either the Executive Director or the Arts commission would address before budget process began. Rich reported that the request to discuss reducing the VB department rent and administrative expenditures was discussed by the BOCC and would continue to be discussed during the budget cycle however a date has not been set so for budget planning purposes, staff kept these items in the VB proposed 2015 budget. Executive Director Report In the Executive Directors report, Laurie Paolicelli reviewed the feedback received from the January Needs Analysis survey. Key takeaways included a desire among VB board for expanding sales staff, developing more social media presence, reaching out to new groups that are positively influencing the local economy, form a better partnership with UNC, Franklin Street is the preferred location for the Visitors Center, and the “Visit Chapel Hill” brand makes sense to the majority. Continuing her report, Paolicelli reviewed the preliminary proposed 2014-15 budget with board members. Major budget line items included spending down the fund balance on county wide food events and an LGBT campaign, and expanding the sales staff to capitalize on the new and incoming inventory. Paolicelli expressed her desires to recruit someone with CVB related experience. Lee Storrow inquired on what the funds would be used for if the BOCC agreed to decrease overhead expenses, in which Paolicelli replied she would provide more direction on that revenue in the coming months. Sales Linda Ekeland reviewed January’s group sales production, upcoming meeting conferences, and collaboration intentions with Spartanburg, SC CVB. Ekeland reported some overflow bookings from the US Open event and from Epic Arts Gordon Jameson informed members that Meg McGurk would be the guest speaker at the next Artist’s Salon which is tied in with the 2nd Friday ArtWalk. Jameson reported $24,926 in county grants were issued, and announced the ‘postcard’ project. Downtown Partnership Meg McGurk announced the hiring of a full-time special events coordinator who will concentrate on 140 West Plaza. A list of upcoming events would be released soon. The DTP is hosting its annual meeting at the Carolina Inn March 15 at 5:30pm.