Orange County NC Website
2 <br />Morehead Planetarium. He stressed that there is no charge for admission; that it belongs <br />to the people. Its a mix between traditional 1974 and current trends. <br /> <br />Mr. Baddour thanked board members and the Visitor Bureau for their efforts in keeping <br />high school championships here in our community. NCAA limits the support that UNC <br />can give to high school athletics. <br /> <br />Baddour briefly talked on the success of 5th Qtr due to the collaboration of many <br />organizations in the community. <br /> <br />Baddour spoke on several projects in the works; renovating Koury Natatorium, sports <br />medicine facility, enlarging the wrestling facility, renovating Finley Golf Course and the <br />Kenan Building renovation which includes the proposal to plant 1000 trees. <br /> <br />Baddour spoke on game time scheduling. He confirmed that it is influenced by several <br />factors, ACCs media contract and how well the team is doing. UNC really has no say in <br />what time games will be played. In football, if the game will be broadcasted, times may <br />not be set until as late as a week prior to game day. Only two game time requests by UNC <br />for Basketball were granted this season. Womens basketball game times are set well in <br />advance. Preferred game times for all are afternoon and evening. <br /> <br />Baddour requested help in marketing the Womens BB team. <br /> <br />Baddour answered questions from board members on ticket sales/campaigns, parking, a <br />womens basketball museum and scheduling home games. Discussion ensued on the <br />Visitor bureaus and the UNC Athletic Depts role in marketing/promoting area <br />attractions and hotels to visiting fans. <br /> <br />REPORTS <br /> <br />Chair Pavao informed board members that the Board of County Commissioners approved <br />the requested 1% occupancy tax increase and begins budget year 2008/2009. The tax will <br />give the Bureau approximately $300,000 more in revenue to use for marketing Orange <br />County. <br /> <br />Executive Directors Report <br /> <br />Linda Ekeland on behalf of Laurie Paolicelli gave the Executive Directors report. <br />Ekeland informed board members that Orange County hotels are holding their own with <br />the current ADR and the demand remains strong. Overall, the market is soft due to new <br />inventory, the mild recession and Durhams hotel explosion. Board members and Orange <br />County Lodging Association members Sherburne and Woods concurred. <br /> <br />Ekeland also informed members on three community events we are hosting; a hotel <br />safety seminar in collaboration with the Chapel Hill Police Dept. and hotel staff on