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r ` <br /> For Approval October 16, 2019 <br /> Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors Meeting <br /> September 18, 2019 <br /> The Chapel/Orange County Visitors Bureau met at <br /> Residence Inn Chapel Hill 101 Erwin Rd . , Chapel Hill , NC 27514 <br /> Board Members Present : Pam Hemminger, David Brooks , Tanya Moore, Anthony Carey, Kayla Dempsey, Mark Bell, Sam <br /> Vadgama , Lydia Lavelle, Mark Sherburne, Tim Hoke, Spring Council , Annette Stone, Matt Gladdek, Penny Rich , Katie <br /> Murray . <br /> Not Present : Jeffery Strickler, Tim Hoke, Libbie Hough, Dixon Pitt, Shannan Campbell <br /> Staff Attendance : Laurie Paolicelli , Leslie Wilcox <br /> Also present : Steve Brantley, Director of Orange County Economic Development <br /> Call to Order <br /> Laurie Paolicelli called the meeting to order at 8 : 10 a . m . <br /> Commissioner Rich advised that the Board of County Commissioners approved all four of the board member nominees <br /> during their September 17, 2019 meeting . <br /> Introductions were given by all . <br /> Approval of Minutes <br /> Commissioner Rich requested a motion to approve the August 18, 2019 minutes . Mark Sherburne so moved and Mark <br /> Bell seconded the motion . With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted . <br /> Welcome by Host <br /> Sam Vadgama , new board member representing one of the O/C Lodging Association seats , thanked the board for his <br /> appointment . He gave an introduction to the Residence Inn . He shared that occupancy was exceptionally good over the <br /> summer and the expectation is very good with the upcoming Fall football schedule . The Residence Inn ' s niche market of <br /> extended stay has been working well for the Residence Inn . <br /> Finance Report <br /> Finance Chair Rich began her report reminding the board that the most current financial data is always two months <br /> behind so her report today is for July . Occupancy taxes are trending up and are about 7 % higher from July 2018 to July <br /> 2019 . AirBNB tax collections were also up, at about $ 11, 000 in July . This is pretty much in - line with May and June and is <br /> averaging about $ 10, 000 and $ 15 , 000 on AirBNB taxes . Laurie presented Orange County Hotel/ Motel Lodging vs . Other <br /> Lodging for last fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 highlighting what the data is for traditional lodging vs . AirBNB and how <br /> that data is trending . Finance Chair Rich stressed the importance of this data to demonstrate that government is <br /> collecting taxes from homestays such as AirBNB . Discussion ensued about receipt process for paid occupancy taxes from <br /> homestays vs . traditional lodging and how government can verify actual activity to collections . <br /> Nomination Committee Report <br /> Commissioner Rich advised that the Board of County Commissioners approved all four of the board member nominees <br /> during their September 17 , 2019 meeting and welcomed the new members . The Board has worked to try to diversify its <br /> membership and Commissioner Rich applauded Board Members for going out into the community to talk and encourage <br /> community members other than just the regulars to volunteer. <br />