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Home My WebLink AboutTDA 03-23-2011 NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MARCH 23, 2011 PRESENT: Jonathan Barfield, Chairman New Hanover County Commissioners Anne E. Brodsky, Hotel/Motel Owner Kure Beach David Cignotti, Mayor Wrightsville Beach Anne Marie Hartman, Hotel Wrightsville Beach Kim Hufham, President/CEO NHC TDA Mike Keeler, Hotel 150 (+) Wilmington Dean Lambeth, Mayor Kure Beach Carl Marshburn, County Attractions Bob McKoy, NH County Vacation Rentals Sabina Newman, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Chuck Pennington, County Bed and Breakfast Jimmy Pope, Hotel Carolina Beach Bill Saffo, Mayor City of Wilmington Dan Wilcox, Councilman Carolina Beach EXCUSED: John Andrews, County Restaurants; Avril Pinder, Authority Finance Officer; Frank Jones, Hotel (-) 150 Wilmington ABSENT: STAFF: Jeanette Foster, Administrative Services Manager/Recording Secretary Shawn Braden, Executive Vice-President of Marketing Mikie Wall, Vice-President Sales and Services Connie Nelson, PR/Communications Director Sheila Boyd, NHC Finance GUESTS: Shannon Bowen, Wilmington Star-News Kip Damrow, Alliance Hospitality Bruce Holsten, PI MAC Brandon Agency (Andy Kovan, George Durant, Barry Sanders) Chairman Bob McKoy called the meeting of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority Board to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott on Van Campen Boulevard and welcomed new Board members Jonathan Barfield, 1 New Hanover Commissioners Chairman and Dan Wilcox, Carolina Beach Councilman. ITEM #1 EXCUSED John Andrews, Avril Pinder, Frank Jones. ITEM #2 MINUTES APPROVAL JANUARY 19, 2011 [Motion made by Chuck Pennington, seconded by Carl Marshburn and unanimously accepted to approve the January 19, 2011 TDA Board minutes as read.] ITEM #3 FINANCIALS AND ROT REPORT SHEILA BOYD Sheila Boyd, New Hanover County Finance, advised the Board that expenditures are in line and revenues are up 13% from previous year to date. Each of the beach towns is steady. [Motion made by Anne Brodsky, seconded by Sabina Newman and unanimously carried to approve the financial report as presented.] ITEM #4FUNDING REQUEST CAROLINA AND WRIGHTSVILLE BEACHES KIM HUFHAM President/CEO Kim Hufham presented funding requests from the Town of Carolina Beach in the amount of $190,196.39 for expenses incurred for lifeguard expenses/benefits and employee assistance for various events during the period of May, 2010 January, 2011. Breakdown: Lifeguards/Benefits - $184,628.69; Employee Assistance for various events - $4,466.13; Police Service for 2010 Christmas Parade - $1,101.57. These requests have been requested and approved by the TDA Board in previous years and funds are available. [Motion made by Mayor Bill Saffo, seconded by Mayor Dean Lambeth and unanimously carried to approve the TDA funding requests in the amount of $190,196.39 as requested by the Town of Carolina Beach.] President/CEO Kim Hufham presented funding requests from the Town of Wrightsville Beach for a total amount of $416,023.00 and funds are available. The first request for funding is in the amount of $32,000.00 to support their Beach Patrol Officer function during the FY 2010-2011 municipal budget cycle (July 1, 2 2010 June 30, 2011.) The sum requested includes salary and associated tourism-related beach and park management and enforcement duties. This function has been approved by the TDA Board beginning in 2004. The second request is for $28,000.00 to help support increasing demands on the reas and beaches for visitors. The requested funding includes a portion of the personnel costs for a full-time employee, support equipment, fuel and uniforms. It covers the period of 7/1/10 6/30/11. The TDA Board has approved this request beginning in 2006. Rescue Program (Beach Strand Lifeguards) during FY 2010-2011 (7/1/10-6/30/11.) This service provides comprehensive ocean rescue coverage for nearly 4 miles of beach strand and expanded manning for 13 lifeguard stations as well as mobile coverage and 29 fully qualified personnel. Operation of this service is a critical element in providing a safe and hospitable environment for beach visitors. The TDA Board started approv [Motion made by Mayor Bill Saffo, seconded by Commissioner Chairman Jonathan Barfield and unanimously carried to approve the TDA funding requests in the amount of $416,023 as requested by the Town of Wrightsville Beach.] ITEM #5 THE BRANDON AGENCY PRESENTATION ANDY KOVAN, GEORGE DURANT, BARRY SANDERS Chairman Bob McKoy commented on what had taken place in the search for a marketing agency. Had a committee of 6 (3 staff members consisting of Kim Hufham, Shawn Braden, Connie Nelson; 3 Board members consisting of Bob the request for a marketing agency. Each was very extensive and the committee members went through each one individually. The search was narrowed down to 5 who were interviewed. Although any of the five could have done the job, it was felt that the Brandon Agency out of Myrtle Beach had the most experience and the most in-house capabilities. Bob introduced the Brandon Agency who plan to give an Andy Kovan introduced the Agency members present and explained his overview would consist of what would be taking place over the next several months in making the CVB look different. He said that is the power of a brand. Mr. Kovan presented a Brand Development Process which will yield that end result. (Copy of presentation will be given to each Board member at the May 25 Board meeting and can be found in the TDA Exhibit Book Nine.) He mentioned 3 that a time line for the Brand would take 6-8 weeks and that statistics would be reported on a monthly basis. Mr. Kovan noted that next Tuesday and Wednesday, planning sessions to take place (a.m. and p.m. sessions each day) to bring people together and ask questions on experience while they are here, etc. Will take this information and do testing. Have asked key stake holders from the area to attend. ITEM #6 KIM HUFHAM President/CEO Hufham commented that even though the Brandon Agency was officially to start July 1, some funding had been found in our current budget for them to officially start April 1. They have graciously agreed to work with us and have already been working on their own. Kim also said the Agency had been in attendance at all three beach marketing meetings as observers. Clean Design (the three beaches have chosen this agency) will be attending the beach marketing meetings next week. Both agencies are willing to work together. Kim invited Board members to please RSVP for one of the 4 planning sessions next Tuesday or Wednesday. Pertaining to Room Occupancy Tax, had a good January. Smith Travel Research an increase of 10% compared to last February. Average Daily Rate (ADR) is still slightly down, but starting to rise. Board discussion on how to get impact of tourism dollars driven by major events such as the Azalea Festival, etc., and sharing this information with the CVB on the economic impact generated by such events, major group activity, etc. Kip Damrow stated how they had handled large groups/functions when he was in Milwaukee with inventory and rate to the CVB. It would go into the Passkey System and if someone was attending a convention or event and needed rooms, that link would come up with every hotel in the marketplace. Hotel would be chosen and clicked on to make reservation. All the financial and room information would go to one source, with each hotel getting their rooming list as well as the CVB receiving a list of where everyone is staying. This is 100% trackable. Kim noted that this type of operation does cost money but is something we may want to look at down the line, especially when we start getting city wide conventions. Kim said some research is already being done for the future. During the recent Governors Conference on Tourism, the attendees received 2010 visitors spending numbers from the state. North Carolina was up 9% as reported by the Governor during her address to the attendees. A 4 breakdown of all county numbers will be made available to everyone in July or August. Legislative resolution which was approved at the March TDA Board meeting was sent to the Legislators. Have received a response from Representative Justice that the delegation is supportive of the issues. Kim advised it is very important we stay in touch with Representative McComas on the School Start issue. He is Chairman of the House Commerce Committee and the School Start issue would go through this Committee before it goes to the floor. Kim said they heard from their tourism lobbyist that there are some bills which have been filed pertaining to the School Start issue concerning waivers, etc. As an industry, we must stay on top of this. Kim advised the budget will be presented at the May Board meeting. When the FY budget for 2011-2012 is presented, it may be a little different in terms that we may only show advertising in a lump sum, not a breakdown form. We will come back with a breakdown form as we receive it (as was alluded to by the Brandon Agency.) We are in our new offices and know several of the Board has been by to visit. Moving expenses stayed within budget. Currently working on signage issues with the City and D.O.T. Connie has done an extensive e-mail blast on our new location. Really trying to get the word out. In talking with Mark Boyer, our new location will also be noted on the government channel. Looking at new web site being launched by June 30. Mobile revision by July 31. We are behind on reports. International Mailing who has handled our Have had reporting issues in getting inquiries, etc. Presently working on bringing these up to date. Will advise when they are up to date and on line. Had a very successful Home Town Tourist day even though it rained all day. Had 32 attractions participating and over 7,000 attendees. May 7-15 is National Tourism Week. We will again participate in doing local awareness with our travel partners. Kim and other staff members will attend events in Raleigh with our legislators. Last week we held a very successful hospitality seminar. It was held at Cape Fear Community College. Joint venture between the Community College, Wilmington Area Hospitality Association, the CVB, Pender County CVB and the Brunswick County TDA. Had over 160 people to participate and a Already in the works to have this again next year. ITEM #7 OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS No old or new business. 5 ITEM #8 BOB MCKOY officers for 2011 (list handed out.) Recommendations include: Chairman Bob McKoy Vice-Chairman John Andrews Secretary Chuck Pennington Treasurer Avril Pinder (per Legislation) Chairman McKoy asked for nominations from the floor. Hearing none, asked for a motion. [Motion made by Anne Brodsky, seconded by Anne Marie Hartman and unanimously carried to accept the slate of officers for 2011 as recommended by the Nominating Committee: Bob McKoy, Chairman; John Andrews, Vice- position is per Legislation. Chairman McKoy thanked Kip Damrow and staff for their hospitality. Adjourn at 6:30 p.m. ______________________________ __________________________ Kim Hufham, President/CEO Chuck Pennington, Secretary Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book IX 6