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Approved November 20, 2013 <br />MINUTES <br />Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Meeting <br />October 16, 2013 <br />The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau met at <br />PHE Inc., 302 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough <br /> <br />Board Members Present: Anthony Carey, Dave Gephart, Gordon Jameson, Jim Parker, Karen DeHart, Lee Pavao, Lydia <br />Lavelle, Mark Sherburne, Mike Gering, Penny Rich, Meg McGurk <br />Not Present: Gene Pease, Greg Overbeck, Laura Morgan, and Annette Stone <br />Staff attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Linda Ekeland, Martha Shannon, and Tina Fuller <br />Also attending: Sarah DeGennaro, Alliance for Historic Hillsborough; Devra Thomas, Deep Dish Theatre (new Chair for <br />OCAC) <br /> <br />Welcome <br />Chairman Anthony Carey began the meeting at 8:20 am, welcomed everyone to PHE, Inc., and introduced Tom <br />Underwood, PHE’s HR Director. Mr. Underwood also serves on the Orange County EDC board. Mr. Underwood <br />welcomed everyone. Underwood gave a brief history of PHE, Inc. <br />Approval of Minutes <br />Mr. Carey requested a motion to approve the September 18, 2013 minutes. Lydia Lavelle so moved and Penny Rich <br />seconded. With all members in agreement, the minutes were approved as submitted. <br />Hillsborough Updates <br />Chairman Carey gave the floor to Sarah DeGennaro, Executive Director of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, for an <br />update on what’s new in Hillsborough. First, Ms. DeGennaro, noted her appreciation for this group. DeGennaro briefly <br />explained the Alliance’s role given by the Hillsborough Tourism Board stating that the Alliance is contracted to perform <br />visitor services and acts as the entity that coordinates the efforts and activities of its seven member organizations to <br />promote Hillsborough overall. <br /> <br />Paolicelli stated that Hillsborough is a critically important aspect of the County’s tourism sell and marketing strategies <br />are discussed and reviewed annually to find the best means to fill hotel rooms in Hillsborough. Paolicelli reported that <br />hotels, Holiday Inn Express and Microtel, are running at 62% capacity overall and both get wonderful reviews through <br />TripAdvisor. Paolicelli reported that Triangle Sportsplex is one of the most visited attractions in Orange County and is a <br />hidden opportunity for economic benefits. Paolicelli reported that the Bureau’s current marketing strategy includes <br />assisting with visitors to the Sportsplex. Another aspect of the marketing mix for Hillsborough is a historic promotional <br />piece. <br />