2022-10-19 CHOCVB Board Meeting Minutes

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For Approval November 16, 2022 Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau In Person Board of Directors Meeting October 19, 2022 Board Members Present: Mark Bell - Chair, Shannan Campbell, Spring Council, Heidi Werner Dawson, Lili Engelhardt, Jon Hartman-Brown, Karen DeHart, Matt Gladdek, Sharon Hill, Tanya Moore, Beverly Payne, Damon Seils Not Present: Manish Atma, Lisa Ganzzermiller, Grace Holtkamp, Earl McKee, and Karen Stegman Staff Attendance: Laurie Paolicelli, Marlene Barbera, Susan Rice, Mary Salvarezza, Katie Murray Also in attendance: Carrie Currie, Director of Alliance for Historic Hillsborough Call to Order Chair Mark Bell called the meeting to order at 8:12 a.m. Approval of Minutes Chair Mark Bell requested a motion to approve the September 21, 2022 minutes. Damon Seils so moved and Sharon Hill seconded the motion. With all members in favor, the minutes were approved as submitted Introductions Tourism and Travel Updates, Executive Director • We are seeing recovery, the good news is that revenues/collections are at an all- time high. Most of the recovery shows on the revenue side more than occupancy side • Part of the challenge is we are not seeing major conferences or business travel due to higher rates, room blocks and residual effects of Covid19 (large groups still losing attendance due to Covid19 fears) • Some companies are holding back business travel • Our reports show we have already exceeded revenues based on our initial forecast • From a tourism offering standpoint, Monday's are a challenge because so many Orange County businesses are closed that day • Kudos to all October event organizers, including FestiFall and Piedmont Food & Processing Center events in Orange County Heidi Dawson • Some tech companies have hiring freezes in place • Pre Covid19 the Carolina Inn hosted 85-100 weddings a year. Projecting 65 weddings this coming year 60 at higher rates