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Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau <br /> Advisory Board Meeting <br /> Courtyard Chapel Hill <br /> September 18, 2024 <br /> 8:00—9:15 AM <br /> Board Members Present: Tanya Moore, Karen DeHart—Chair, Sam Vadgama. Jon Hartman Brown, Wendy <br /> Smith, Jeri Lynn Schulke, Steve Peck, DR Bryan, Shannan Campbell <br /> Not Present: Grace Holtkamp, Anna Richards, Heidi Werner Dawson, Matt Hughes, Paris Miller—Foushee, <br /> Randee Haven- O'Donnell, Meredith Saybe <br /> Staff Attendance: Laurie Paolicelli,Marlene Barbera, Hannah Hemphill, Katie Murray <br /> Guests-David Putnam(Town of Chapel Hill—Economic Development), Dan Brosz (NCDNCR) <br /> Call to Order <br /> Karen DeHart called the meeting to order at 8:15 AM. <br /> Round Table Introductions <br /> Approval of Minutes <br /> Requested that August minutes be resent. Approval of the minutes postponed until October meeting. <br /> �. Ann Arbor Recap: Focus on collaboration with economic development agencies, cooperating forces <br /> vs competing forces, public bathrooms at 1mil a year, 10 units and modular <br /> II. Executive Director's Report: <br /> • Chapel Hill Hockey Rink Fundraising: <br /> o Focus on raising funds for a rink near Carraway Village. <br /> o Collaboration with NCHHS and VB for insights to present to Town Council, including an <br /> economic index calculator and potential high school usage of the rink. <br /> • Airbnb Discussions in Chapel Hill: <br /> o Aim to understand the market for short-term rentals, including pricing and location. <br /> o Other markets, such as Raleigh, are embracing AirBNB. The Greater Raleigh Convention& <br /> Visitors Bureau hosted a reception for AirBNB owners and provided Visitor Information <br /> III. America 250 Grant Opportunities <br /> • Overview of the America 250 Grant, commemorating the July 4, 2026 celebration. <br /> • Funds are available through the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. <br /> • Orange County received$10,000 for the initiative include, revolving around themes such as: <br /> o Revolutionary NC: History and revolutionary acts in the state. <br /> o National Identity: Exploration of freedom and struggles for equality. <br /> • Community Grant Program: <br /> o $2 million in total, with $1 million remaining; 50 grants of about $990k have been awarded. <br />