CHOC Visitors Bureau minutes 082119

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Executive Directors Report Laurie Paolicelli led the board through a comprehensive tourism strategy the Visitors Bureau will implement in fiscal year 2019/20 , The presentation included an overview of budget and expenditures, overriding goals, advertising, public relations, sales benchmarks and community engagement through events, and related partnership . See attached Strategic Plan . A question and answer session ensued . Lydia Lavelle asked that Orange County' s occupancy tax contributions ( highlighted on budget page ) go into more detail to show that Carrboro and Hillsborough were included in those numbers . Paolicelli agreed to modify page to show further explanation . Guest Presentation Orange County Economic Development Director Steve Brantley shared what ' s new in Orange County' s economic development queue . Swiss industrial equipment maker ABB plans to add more than 400 jobs in Orange County by consolidating its distribution and manufacturing hub near Buckhorn Road . Brantley said other projects are in the pipeline and he remains optimistic about the activity currently in place through his department . ED also has and advisory board of 10 members including Anthony Carey and previously Mark Sherburne, who also are board members for the Visitors Bureau . ED helps small businesses with the county' s loan and grant programs . ED has had a busy year with more inquiries asking about which sites are open , buildings, funds and resources . More businesses are calling and business recruitment is positive . County is looking to improve our product with commercial office space , either new or renovations, new site for light industrial off Eubanks Road and Launch Program . Commissioner Rich stated these businesses are utilizing Durham Tech as well . Chair Carey said community colleges can help train people for the new jobs the new companies will bring in , and new trade jobs . This will help us connect with RTP . Mark Sherburne commented that this is good for weekday hotel business . Sales Report Sales Director Marlene Barbera reviewed last year' s numbers (see strategic plan , page 31 ) . She also presented what is upcoming this fiscal year and tradeshows she will be attending . • CONNECT Marketplace - Aug 2019 . Just confirmed 45 one - on - one appointments with planners • MPI Business Exchange Exhibitor Sept 2019 • Destination SE - Oct 2019 • IPEC . Jan 2020 • Rendezvous South , March 2020 • AENC- Winter 2020 and spring 2020 conference . Feb and May • March Madness Venue showcase for UNC Planners . March 2020 She also shared some hotel staffing changes in the market; the GM for the Courtyard is now the GM at the AC Marriott . And that the previous GM at the AC Marriott, Andrew Strickland , is now back with Summit Hospitality . She also mentioned that the Franklin Hotel sold for $ 20 million and will become a Graduate Hotel . They will remain as the Franklin Hotel, just not a Hilton property anymore , until they fully renovate in 2020 and convert to a Graduate Hotel . Also , the Sheraton Chapel Hill and the Courtyard Marriott have sold to Atma Hotel Group , The Sheraton will undergo a $ 10 - 12 million - dollar renovation next year . New Business/ Roundtable • Matt Gladdek shared that a new hotel/condo project is possibly going to be built new to the old town hall . 140 rooms . See related story for details . https : //www . newsobserver. com / news/ local/counties/orange - county/article234218302 . html • Mayor Hemminger shared that the CVS tower has been sold and will turn into an entrepreneurial space . The new owners are required to invest money into the community . The Carolina Ale house is being renovated and will bring 80 new employees to downtown . They are working on re - doing the parking situation behind the Courtyard . Other big projects right now are ; Wegman 's, Carraway Village and UNC Hospital Eastowne Drive project . 2 Page CHOCVB BOD Meeting August 21 , 2019