WRFC Minutes 2016-01-12MINUTES OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
WILMINGTON REGIONAL FILM COMMISSION, INC.
A North Carolina Non - Profit Corporation
The Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Inc. (WRFC) held a regular meeting at 8:00
AM, on January 12, 2016. Chairman Hon. Beth Dawson, Hon. Bill Saffo, Ms. Carey Jones, Mr.
Jimmy Smith, and Mr. William Vassar were present. In addition, Johnny Griffin and Tom Fetzer
were also present.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM SPECIAL MEETING ON OCTOBER 6,
2015. The minutes from the Board Meeting on October 6, 2015, a copy of which is
attached as EXHIBIT A, were unanimously approved.
2. PRESENTATION BY LOBBYIST TOM FETZER WITH FETZER
STRATEGIC PARTNERS. The WRFC lobbyist, Tom Fetzer, gave a presentation
( on his efforts during the 2015 Legislative Session to secure funding for the NC Film
Grant. Tom Fetzer also provided insight into efforts needed during the upcoming
2016 Legislative Session to maintain a strong NC Film Grant.
3. PRODUCTION UPDATE. Two productions will open offices this month. An
A &E Networks series, "SIX ", and a TNT series, "GOOD BEHAVIOR ", will each be
in the area through June. WRFC has received interest from several films as well.
WRFC expects inquiries from possible television pilots during the coming weeks.
4. CREW DATABASE UPDATE. WRFC spent the month of December working to
update the crew database. Emails were sent to 1,450 crewmembers with existing
profiles requesting that they update their crew profiles. To date, 197 crewmembers
have updated their profiles. WRFC will work to continue to get additional
crewmembers to update their profiles. The crew database is a helpful tool to
demonstrate the amount of local crew available in the region.
5. 1" QUARTER MARKETING UPDATE. WRFC will participate in the Sundance
Film Festival in Park City, Utah during January 20 — 27, 2016. Along with the NC
Film Office, the Charlotte Film Office, and the Piedmont Triad Film Office, WRFC
will co -host a reception at the festival on January 23, 2016. Additionally, WRFC will
attend the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX during March. These two marketing
opportunities are made possible through additional funding provided by New
Hanover County. These two events are highly attended industry events and will give
WRFC an opportunity to network with industry leaders.
6. CONSIDERATION OF CONTRACT WITH FETZER STRATEGIC
PARTNERS FOR LOBBYING SERVICES DURING 2016. Discussion was held
regarding retaining the services of Fetzer Strategic Partners for lobbying services
during the 2016 legislative session. WRFC recognizes the ongoing need to employ a
lobbyist to maintain funding in the NC Film Grant. It was unanimously approved to
enter into a contract with Fetzer Strategic Partners for 2016. Johnny Griffin was
directed to work with Tom Fetzer to develop a contract for lobbying services for
2016 at the cost of $5,000 per month while the legislature is in session, beginning in
April, expected to be 3 -5 months.
7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF BOARD MEMBER TERMS. The following board
member terms were acknowledged:
• Beth Dawson — Appointed by New Hanover County for the term 2016 — 2018
• Bill Saffo — Appointed by the City of Wilmington for the term 2016 — 2018
• Bill Vassar — Appointed by New Hanover County for the term 2015 — 2017
• Jimmy Smith — Appointed by WRFC for the term 2015 — 2017
• Carey Jones — Continuing to serve, un- appointed by the City for the term 2015 —
2017
8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2016. The following slate of officers was
unanimously approved for 2016.
• Beth Dawson — Chairman
• Bill Saffo — Vice - Chairman
• Johnny Griffin — Secretary
(' 9. MEMBERSHIP UPDATE. Johnny Griffin provided an update on WRFC
memberships. Memberships to be renewed in January 2016 total $35,600. Of this
total: $8,635 of memberships has been collected, $20,470 of memberships has been
invoiced at the request of the members, and $6,485 of memberships is currently
under consideration or undecided. Johnny will continue to pursue new memberships
(` with various vendors. Board members will increase efforts to pursue larger
corporate memberships with identified vendors.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Hon. Beth Dawson, Chairman