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Approved February 20, 2013 <br /> <br />2 | Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting January 16 , 201 3 <br /> <br />Continuing the discussion on TDA’s, Lydia Lavelle reported that at the previous evening’s meeting the <br />Board of Alderman approved an amendment to establish a TDA. The hotel is expected to open around <br />June. She informed that they also will have 3 members, anticipating on what type of folks would <br />probably fill those seats, hotelier, restaurateur, etc. and the application process is under way. <br />While talking about the Carrboro TDA, Annette Stone, Ex-Officio member with Carrboro, reported that <br />the Economic Sustainability Commission would recommend The Splinter Group as their creative firm of <br />choice for their new branding. This work will include a website. <br />Anthony Carey inquired on how the Hillsborough and Carrboro TDA’s would be working with the <br />Bureau. <br />Paolicelli replied first with a historical perspective stating that 20 years ago, the Bureau was modeled <br />after a national template of independent visitor bureaus that coordinated tourism assets of the county <br />with the overarching goal to “put heads in bed,” knowing that overnight guests were the greatest source <br />for tourism spending. The Bureau was envisioned to work with hotels and coordinate the county’s assets <br />in order to grow tourism. Commissioners put the Bureau in Chapel Hill to be near hotels. She stated <br />that the Bureau has done a good job with that - In 2011, visitors spent $154 million in Orange County <br />and 1700 jobs were related to tourism – Paolicelli stated we’ve done this through a variety of programs <br />including, conference and group meetings sales. She also stated that things were different today. Back <br />in 1992 when Orange County and Chapel Hill began levying occupancy taxes they were not required to <br />have a TDA organizational structure. There were no provisions ascribed to the new Visitors Bureau. No <br />funding requirements, board or instructions. However today’s TDAs must following a certain protocol <br />and funding formula. This confuses many things. Because the overall arching mission of the <br />countywide Bureau leads with the brand name Chapel Hill the other towns feel left-out. The marketing <br />strategy is research based but doesn’t always make us popular. Paolicelli went on to say, the Bureau <br />represents Hillsborough and Carrboro and will continue to support all of Orange County. Paolicelli <br />pointed out that Cary, NC now wants to form a TDA, currently they are represented by Raleigh and will <br />probably still be considered Raleigh. Continuing, Paolicelli stated again that our mission won’t change <br />unless the BOCC makes an organizational change to the Bureau. Paolicelli stated, that since the two <br />TDA’s have come online she believes the County Manager could start a new conversation on bringing all <br />partners together to discuss how tourism is funded and managed in the county. <br />Mike Gering assured Laurie and the board that Hillsborough’s TDA and Tourism board share the same <br />vision as the Bureau’s for promoting Hillsborough – nothing has changed in that regard. Mr. Gering <br />added that the Bureau’s expertise is significant. The TDA and Tourism board along with Sarah <br />DeGennaro with the Alliance will try to leverage that, working closely with the Bureau to become more <br />professional and expand the tax dollar ROI.