TDA Board Meeting February 5 2014
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February 5, 2014
PRESENT: Bill Blair, Mayor – Town of Wrightsville Beach
Anne E. Brodsky, Motel Owner – Kure Beach
Kim Hufham, President/CEO – NHC TDA
Neal Johnson – County Vacation Rental Property
Frank Jones, (Hotels -150-) - Wilmington
Dean Lambeth, Mayor – Town of Kure Beach
Connie Majure-Rhett – Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Carl Marshburn – County Attraction
Nicolas Montoya, (Hotels -150 rooms+) – Wrightsville Beach
Chuck Pennington – County Bed and Breakfast
LeAnn Pierce, Hotel – Carolina Beach
Angela Rhodes – County Restaurants
Bill Saffo, Mayor – City of Wilmington
Dan Wilcox, Mayor – Town of Carolina Beach
Lisa Wurtzbacher, New Hanover County Finance Officer
EXCUSED: Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Michael Keeler
STAFF: Jeanette Foster/Administrative Services Manager, Recording
Secretary
Shawn Braden, Executive Vice-President of Marketing
Karla Thompson, Technology/Systems Manager
Mikie Wall, Vice-President Sales and Services
Connie Nelson, PR/Communications Director
Linda Brothers, NHC Financial Analyst
GUESTS: Anne Marie Hartman, Sabina Newman, Ed Wolverton (WDI)
Chairman Carl Marshburn called the meeting of the New Hanover County
Tourism Development Authority Board to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Lucie Harrell
Conference Room (#601) at the New Hanover County Government Complex.
Chairman Marshburn welcomed our new TDA Board members: Mayor Dan
Wilcox of Carolina Beach; Mayor Bill Blair of Wrightsville Beach; Connie Majure-
Rhett, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and Nicolas Montoya, Hotel
representative for Wrightsville Beach.
Also recognized reappointments to the Board: Captain Carl Marshburn,
Attractions; Anne E. Brodsky, Kure Beach Hotel/Motel Owner; New Hanover
County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield.
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President/CEO Kim Hufham presented plaques to Anne Marie Hartman and
Sabina Newman for their years of service on the New Hanover County TDA Board.
ITEM #1 – EXCUSED
Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, Michael Keeler.
ITEM #2 – INTRODUCTION OF ED WOLVERTON, WDI
Ed Wolverton, new President for Wilmington Downtown, Inc. gave an update on
WDI and upcoming events including their annual luncheon on March 13.
ITEM #3 – MINUTES APPROVAL – OCTOBER 30, 2013
[Motion made by Anne Brodsky, seconded by Mayor Dan Wilcox and
unanimously accepted to approve the October 30, 2013 TDA Board minutes
as read.]
ITEM #4 – FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT – LISA WURTZBACHER
New Hanover County Finance Officer Lisa Wurtzbacher reported on the first 6
months of expenditures (July 1 – December 31, 2013): Marketing and Promotions -
$691,991; Visitor Information Services - $63,483; Administration Expense -
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$146,985. Total 1 3% expenses equal $902,056.00 or 53% of budget.
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2 3% expenses for July 1 – December 31, 2013 = $673,421 or 26% of budget.
Convention Center - $167,447 or 53% of budget.
Total expenditures through 12/31/13 = $1,742,925.
Revenues (includes City of Wilmington) $2,178,969.
ROT increase for first 3% for July – November, 2013 for same period of time over
previous year fiscal year =4.85%; calendar year = 2.47% increase.
Second 3% increases for July – November, 2013 for same period of time over
previous year fiscal year for Carolina Beach = 6.91%; calendar year =4.57%; fiscal
year increase for Kure Beach =8.38%; calendar year = 5.81% increase. Fiscal year
increase for Wrightsville Beach = 4.32%; calendar year = 1.91% increase.
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City of Wilmington ROT collection for City of Wilmington – 2.37% increase over
previous year for same period of time (July – November, 2013); for the Convention
Center – 6.31% increase.
We are continuing to grow. Economy is picking back up.
[Motion made by Frank Jones, seconded by Chuck Pennington and
unanimously approved to accept the Financials/ROT report as presented.]
ITEM #5 – REQUESTS FOR FUNDING FOR CAROLINA AND KURE
BEACHES – KIM HUFHAM
CAROLINA BEACH
At the October, 2013 TDA Board meeting, the request for Boardwalk Makeover
(now known as the Carolina Beach Downtown Initiative) was tabled until the next
Board meeting as more information was needed.
The CBDI group provides family entertainment during the tourist season (May-
July, 2013):
Music for Tuesday Family Nights – May 21 – July 2, 2013 $1,945
Magic Shows for Tuesday Family Nights – May 21 – July 2, 2013 $ 395
Music for Thursday Family Nights – May 21 – July 9, 2013 $14,650
The Town of Carolina Beach respectfully requests total funding be submitted in the
amount of $16,990 and funds are available.
Previous Requests: Carolina Beach requests for CBDI (previously the
Boardwalk Makeover have been approved by the TDA Board beginning in
2008.
[Motion made by Mayor Bill Saffo, seconded by Neal Johnson and
unanimously approved to accept the requests for funding of $16,990 as
presented for family entertainment during the tourist season (May – July,
2013.]
KURE BEACH
The Town of Kure Beach respectfully requests funding for expenditures for
lifeguard services for the summer of 2013. The requested funds include
expenditures for two budget years, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The expenses to be
reimbursed are calculated as follows:
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Remaining 2012-2013 Reimbursement $55,837.29
FY 2013-2014 Lifeguard Expenses incurred 71/13-11/30/13 $92,785.87
Total requested consideration to be remitted if approved $148,623.16
Previous Requests: Kure Beach requests for the lifeguard
Program have been approved by the TDA Board since 3/28/06.
The Town of Kure Beach respectfully requests funding for expenditures that were
incurred for the Pleasure Island Free Summer Concerts held during the summer of
2013 (FY 2013-2014). The six free concerts, held at the Ft. Fisher Military
Recreation area, attract tourists to Kure Beach by providing an enjoyable and
affordable entertainment venue. Total requested for consideration to be remitted if
approved is $8,000.00.
Previous Requests: Kure Beach requests for the six free concerts
have been approved by the TDA Board since March 2006.
The Town of Kure Beach respectfully requests funding for expenditures incurred
for entertainment at the Ocean Front Park during the summer of 2013. The
entertainment included concerts, story time and magic shows. These events attract
tourists to Kure Beach by providing affordable entertainment. The breakdown -
$17,020 for concerts; $2,625 for story time; and $1,050 for magic shows for a total of
$20,695 which is requested to be submitted if approved.
Previous Requests: Kure Beach requests for the family entertainment has
been approved by the TDA Board since 2006.
Total requested funds: $177,318.16; available funds as of 1/29/14 are $173,426.00.
[Motion made by Mayor Saffo, seconded by Anne Brodsky and unanimously
accepted to approve requests for funding. Available funds will be
reimbursed with balance paid upon receipt of ROT.]
ITEM #6 – FILM INCENTIVE RESOLUTION – KIM HUFHAM
Kim presented a proposed film incentive resolution to the TDA Board in support of
the film industry. Several organizations within the County have approved and sent
resolutions or letters of support. In addition, several tourism associations
throughout the State of North Carolina passed resolutions to extend the film
incentives until 2020 (this would be an additional 5 years.) Copy given to Board
members.
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]Motion made by Frank Jones, seconded by Neal Johnson and unanimously
adopted to approve the Film Incentive Resolution as presented.]
Kim said copies will be forwarded to the state as well as Johnny Griffin.
Note: Copy of resolution in TDA Resolution notebook as well as Exhibit book XII.
ITEM #7 – MID-YEAR UPDATE – KIM HUFHAM
President/CEO Kim Hufham presented a mid-year update to bring the Board up to
date on mid-year programs. Some of the highlights include:
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Room occupancy tax receipts for 1 3% collections (July-November)
for fiscal year to date over same period last year up 4.85%.
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ROT receipts for 2 3% collections (July-November for fiscal year to
date over same period last year:
Carolina Beach – up 6.91%; Kure Beach – up 8.38%;
Wrightsville Beach – up 4.32%
Wilmington July – November ROT receipts 2.37% increase over same
period last year; CC District –up 6.31%.
Kim gave a brief overview of the Smith Travel Research report on
percentage change from CYTD 2012 – 2013.
Percentage change from YTD 2012 on competitive set comparison
showed N.C. with a 5.09% increase; New Hanover County – 1.9%
increase. Other counties showed increased of up to 19.4% increase
(Carteret County) down to a minus 5.5% (Cabarrus County.)
$153,763 spent on media between July 1 – December 31, 2013 (online
– 44%; PPC – 26%; print – 24% and Facebook 2%).
Total inquiries from July 1, 2012 – December 31, 2013 = 136,479.
Social Media for July 1 – December 31, 2013: 43,817 total Facebook
fans (new fans amounted to a 31.2% increase.) Top cities on
Facebook included Wilmington, Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro,
Fayetteville.
Total followers on Twitter first 6 months = 6,344 with 1,240 being new
followers.
The Wilmington Pinterest account was launched August 6, 2012 and
as of 12/31/13 we have 823 total followers. Current list of Boards on
Pinterest discussed.
YouTube = 1,705 views for first six months of current FY. Most
popular were insider tips to Wilmington with 428 views.
Total inquiries direct to Industry Partners (7/1-12/31/13) = 80,287.
North Carolina remains the dominant top geographic referral at 42%.
Communications/PR Activities for first six months included press
releases, journalist site visits, media contacts, earned media/editorial,
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internet/media impressions and non-media inquiries. Also mentioned
with public relations mid-year highlights as well as coverage
highlights.
Convention and Group Sales included leads, number of people and
room nights as well as total number of proposals. Incorporated in this
were market segments ranging from associations to sports.
ITEM #8 – PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS – KIM HUFHAM
President/CEO Kim Hufham presented comments as follows:
Kim discussed the upcoming TRAC program which we will be
hosting with NCTFSD on February 20 to our tourism partners.
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On March 12, there will be a Customer Service Seminar at
CFCC.
We will begin on strategic planning and budgets.
National Tourism Week – May 3-11, 2014.
Legislative Tourism Day also takes place in May.
ITEM #9 – OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Lambeth stated that Kure Beach hosted the Mayors’ Breakfast (held
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quarterly) and one of the topics discussed was the portion of 2 3% tax currently
used for marketing and promotion. The Beach mayors are proposing a resolution
to have more flexibility in the use of these funds to include beach renourishment.
Mayor Wilcox commented that the beach mayors, at their last meeting, discussed
their concerns of funding for beach renourhisment. The beach towns are challenged
with finding avenues for funding on a yearly basis and at this time, they do not
know how much flexibility each town will want. The mayors have requested a
meeting with Kim and TDA representatives to discuss the potential impact this
would have on marketing.
Chairman Marshburn indicated this is not a decision the TDA can make. It is a
state level decision. Mayor Lambeth indicated the beach mayors just wanted to let
everyone know a meeting is being planned. Mayor Wilcox said everyone has to
work together on this. Hopes this can be a win-win situation for both the beach
towns and the TDA.
Kim noted she would personally like a few of the TDA Board members to attend
this meeting.
Mayor Bill Saffo made several comments on a portion of the first 3% already being
used for beach renourishment and tourism issues. Other discussions followed on
tourism and possible revenue streams between the city, county and beaches; on how
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so much has changed over the years building up to the current status of
renourishment.
Kim noted a list of the TDA meetings for the remainder of the year is included in
the Board packets: March 26, 2014; May 28, 2014; June 25, 2014, August 27, 2014
and October 29, 2014. Locations will be announced prior to each meeting. All
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meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. with the exception of June 25 at 5:00 p.m.
ITEM #10 – CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – CARL MARSHBURN
Chairman Marshburn advised the Nominating Committee had met to present a
Slate of Officers for 2014 to the full Board. They are as follows:
Chairman: Carl Marshburn
Vice-Chairman: Frank Jones
Secretary: Chuck Pennington
Treasurer: Lisa Wurtzbacher
At Large: Angela Rhodes
Chairman Marshburn called for any additional nominations from the floor. There
being none:
[Motion made by Connie Majure-Rhett, seconded by Anne Brodsky to accept
the nominations as presented by the Nominating Committee and approved
unanimously.]
Adjourn at 6:35 p.m.
Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2014
______________________________ __________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Chuck Pennington, Secretary
Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XI
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