CH-OCVB minutes 101514 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Approved November 19, 2014 MINUTES Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Meeting October 15, 2014 The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau met at The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill Board Members Present: Anthony Carey, Lee Storrow, Greg Overbeck, Mark Sherburne, Jim Parker, Karen DeHart, Aaron Bachenheimer, Lee Pavao, Michelle Johnson, Mike Gering, Penny Rich and Annette Stone Not Present: Dave Gephart, Meg McGurk Staff attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera, Martha Shannon and Tina Fuller Also present: Roger Stancil, Manager, Town of Chapel Hill, Joel Curran, Vice Chancellor for Communications UNC-CH, Linda Convissor, Director of Local Relations, UNC-CH, and Rosemary Waldorf, Project Manager, D.R. Bryan Properties and Libbie Hough, Communication Matters Call to Order Chairman Anthony Carey called the meeting to order at 8:11 a.m. Carey asked for round robin introductions. Mr. Carey acknowledged Joel Curran Vice Chancellor of Communications. Mr. Curran discussed his background, and the focus of his department. Carey then acknowledged Linda Convissor with the Communications Dept., UNC, Roger Stancil, Chapel Hill Town manager and Rosemary Waldorf, D.R. Bryan Properties. Ms. Waldorf gave a brief update on the Hyatt Place at Southern Village and expects to meet the scheduled opening December 31, 2015. Chairman Carey then recognized Libbie Hough and welcomed everyone. Approval of Minutes Mr. Carey requested a motion to approve the September 17, 2014 minutes. Lee Pavao so moved and Penny Rich seconded. With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted. Budget Update Penny Rich reported that projected revenue is on target about 5% ahead of budget. With regard to the discussion of a fund balance management plan, Penny stated that as the Visitors Bureau is a department of the County, Clarence Greer, Assistant Manager and Finance Director has been brought into the discussion. Ms. Rich reminded everyone that $192,000 of the fund balance was appropriated for marketing initiatives and research which left $354,000 and of that, 18% is in safety reserves. Conversations are ongoing now, with respect to discussion on promoting Orange County itself. Ms. Rich inquired if Laurie Paolicelli had anything else to add. Ms. Paolicelli reported that Mr. Greer is currently drafting an abstract for the Commissioners agenda in November. Paolicelli stated that the Visitors Bureau was asked by Mr. Greer to allow discussion between the county manager and the commissioners because she is so new. Feedback from the manager’s office is expected in December or January of next year. Anthony Carey referred board members to the Gross Receipts report noting that the tax revenue is up 34% compared to last year. That continues to be a trend and is correlates to all hotel rooms are back online and the opening of the Hampton Inn. With that said Carey mentioned that there are more renovations in the future and turned it over to Mark Sherburne for an update on the Carolina Inn. Mr. Sherburne reported that The Carolina Inn’s Carolina Crossroads Restaurant and bar will undergo about a two million dollar upgrade and will be offline for about 12 weeks beginning