Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
3 | Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting May 15 , 201 3 <br /> <br />events in Hillsborough. Our event-sponsorship policy requires a thoughtful look by the marketing <br />committee. <br />Paolicelli discussed the challenges of the visitor center’s location evident through low visitor numbers. <br />Jack Schmidt commented that this issue warrants a closer look at statistics to determine the decline in <br />foot traffic to the visitor center. He sensed that nationally many visitor centers were experiencing this <br />trend with the advent of the Internet and he feared that being away from a central business district; <br />near the Interstate would turn staff into a version of the “Maytag Repair Man” waiting on customers. <br />More discussion ensued. Paolicelli proposed to defer these issues to a committee that would include the <br />county manager. Paolicelli suggested staff complete a research study on visitor center trends nationally <br />and in Orange County; and bring that information back to the board for review and further discussion. <br />Board members suggested the former Chapel Hill Museum, Carolina North, and the Interstate as <br />possible locations. Volunteers for the committee included Jim Parker, Meg McGurk, Penny Rich, Lee <br />Pavao and Dave Gephart. <br />Wrapping up the presentation and executive report, Paolicelli reviewed strategies for next year. <br />Reports continued <br /> <br />Hillsborough – Jim Parker reminded about Hogg Day this weekend. <br />Downtown – Meg McGurk spoke on upcoming events, Locally Grown, 2nd Friday Art Walk, announced a <br />new position opening for an events coordinator, and briefly discussed Parking on the Hill and the <br />incubator launch, stating 18 new businesses have opened. Discussion ensued about the pros and cons of <br />Food Trucks and downtown restaurants <br />Group Sales – Linda Ekeland reported April saw a variety of bookings from parties and weddings. She <br />met with representatives from Pinehurst CVB which explained that in 1999 and 2005 the US Open <br />tournament was handled through Pinehurst Championship Management Co. (No longer exists). For <br />2014, USGA is handling all aspects of the tournament. Ekeland reported that only counties surrounding <br />Moore County are being invited to offer rooms. Orange County is not included at this point. USGA also <br />reported that they are not sharing sponsor names for further solicitation of group rooms. Ekeland gave <br />an update on sales associate Allison Phillip’ <br />s participation in the recent US Army Braxton Bragg Chapter Annual Expo in Fayetteville to bring 82nd <br />Airborne meetings here. <br />Dave Gephart gave an update on the O.C. Cultural Center, reporting that Commissioners will move <br />forward with upgrading Whitted Building for public meeting space but the allocation of space for arts <br />groups is yet to be determined. He sensed that the current Orange County Cultural Center would <br />disband without an offer of the Whitted building as a permanent performing arts home.