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DocuSign Envelope ID:79E7E065-C620-41EB-8AD8-976C333559A7 <br /> Since the borders are back open, business travel is trickling back up. We are seeing a huge spike in <br /> people visiting our Visitors Center of people from California and Florida wanting to relocate here. We <br /> are very proud of Clean and the work they are doing. I also want to thank the Visitors Bureau staff. <br /> Lastly, Lydia Lavelle has been one of our huge champions. The other day I was interviewed and asked <br /> what were some of the things the Visitors Bureau is most proud of. One of the things I said right away <br /> was,when HB2 happened and our State was catapulted into a bad reputation, Lydia came out with her <br /> wife, Alicia Stemper, and asked us to do a campaign that "All Are Welcome in Orange County". We did <br /> and we had tons of coverage on it. I even framed a photo of Lydia and Alicia from the campaign that I <br /> think was in New York Times and Times Square there for a while. I am extraordinarily grateful for her <br /> voice and that legacy that she leaves us. We can't thank you enough. <br /> Presentations <br /> Senator Valerie Foushee <br /> "I served on the Visitors Bureau advisory board for many years and believe in the role that tourism plays <br /> in economic development. Getting outsiders to visit our county, bolsters our hotels, restaurants, and <br /> our retail stores. When they go home, that is a good match for us. We know a lot of them want to stay; <br /> many of us are guilty of that. I am a native and I am proud of our community. When I was a <br /> commissioner, I came on right after the commissioners started the Visitors Bureau in the early 1990s, <br /> with an occupancy tax that could have been used for anything. They saw potential for tourism and they <br /> were spot on. Tourism has become a competitive industry in North Carolina. Our neighbors in Durham, <br /> Chatham, and Alamance have all increased their efforts to vie for tourism dollars. To this end,we are <br /> lucky to have a Visitors Bureau that is working hard to build and maintain this investment that was <br /> started so many years ago. When I look at the occupancy taxes in Orange County, I note that they <br /> steadily rose until 2020. Let us be frank, 2020 was bigger than all of us. All of the marketing and sales in <br /> the universe was not going to get people to get on an airplane,to eat in an indoor restaurant, attend a <br /> convention, or peruse retail shops. They were at home, online and hopeful for a healthier future. Our <br /> healthier future is on the horizon. I would say to all of us, let us just hang on and work towards building <br /> back this industry. I am happy to note that yesterday the budget that passed out of the senate does <br /> include $187,000,000 from the state fiscal recovery fund to address various programs that will fund rural <br /> downtown transformation grants, workforce assistance, and travel/tourism/business marketing. We <br /> know that has passed the senate. It is my belief that it indeed pass by the house. Governor Cooper has <br /> already indicated that he will sign the budget that passes out of the General Assembly. Let's look <br /> forward to those funds that will be coming our way." <br /> Jessica Herrschaft, Clean Design, Inc. <br /> Curiosity Campaign presentation <br /> Winter Campaign—Clean is working with Laurie and the Visitors Bureau team,Jon with Carrboro, <br /> Shannan Campbell with Hillsborough, and Matt Gladdeck with Chapel Hill to come up with a way to get <br /> people downtown during the winter months. We are presenting those creative ideas to the team <br /> tomorrow. <br /> 3 1 P a g e CHOCVB BOD Meeting November 17 , 2021 <br />