HomeMy WebLinkAboutTDA Board Meeting May 29 2019
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
May 29, 2019
PRESENT: Joe Benson – Mayor – Town of Carolina Beach
Bill Blair – Mayor – Town of Wrightsville Beach
Craig Bloszinsky, Mayor – Town of Kure Beach
Jason Bryant – Vacation Rental Properties
Christine Divoky, Tourist Attraction
Natalie English, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Kim Hufham, President/CEO – NHC TDA
Nicole Jones, Hotel Manager/Owner – (150- rooms)
Patricia Kusek – NHC Board of Commissioners
Nicolas Montoya, WB Hotel Manager/Owner – (150+ rooms)
Chuck Pennington – County B&B Owner/Manager
Daniel Perkins, ILM Hotel Manager/Owner – (150+ rooms)
Angela Rhodes, County Restaurant
Bill Saffo, Mayor – City of Wilmington
Lisa Wurtzbacher – NHC CFO
EXCUSED: Anne Brodsky, KB Hotel/Motel
LeAnn Pierce, CB Hotel/Motel Manager/Owner
STAFF: Karla Thompson, Systems Administrator
John Sneed, VP Sales & Services
Connie Nelson, Communications/PR Director
Shawn Braden, Executive VP Marketing
Linda Brothers, Financial Analyst, New Hanover County
GUESTS:
Chairman Daniel Perkins called the meeting of the New Hanover County Tourism
Development Authority Board of Directors to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Lucie Harrell
Conference Room at the New Hanover County Government Complex.
ITEM #1 EXCUSED MEMBERS
Chairman Daniel Perkins noted excused absences for LeAnn Pierce, CB Hotel/Motel &
Anne Brodsky, KB Hotel/Motel.
1
ITEM #2 – APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES – March 27, 2019
\[Motion made by Chuck Pennington, seconded by Pat Kusek and unanimously
approved to accept March 27, 2019 TDA Board minutes as presented.\]
ITEM #3 – FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT –LISA WURTZBACHER
NHCTDA Treasurer Lisa Wurtzbacher reported for July 1, 2018 – April 30, 2019. ROT
revenues received to date 51% through March 2019. Expenditures are at 67% through
April 2019. Individual ROT collections are noted in attached report as presented by Lisa.
ITEM #4– PRESENTATION OF FY 2019/2020 BUDGET
President/CEO Kim Hufham presented the FY 2019/2020 TDA Budget for approval by
the Board of Directors. The following key points were presented to summarize
comparisons from prior year:
Total budget presented is $7,365,658 compared to previous year 2018/2019
budget of $6,838,417. New fiscal year total budget represents a 7.71% increase
over prior fiscal year budget.
Revenues are based on 2018/2019 actual collections as well as historical revenue
growth. First 9 months of current budget is running a 24.51% increase. Revenues
continue to show steady growth over the previous record setting 7 years and we
are currently on target to set our 7th consecutive benchmark year in room
occupancy collections.
First 3% budget shows 23% increase in expenditures.
First 3% budget continuing to focus on marketing and promotion representing.
81% of budget. Marketing & advertising programs will continue to be based on
the strategic direction recommendations working with our agency and
recommendations identified in the Strategic Vision Plan.
Kim Hufham reviewed the proposed line-item budget with the TDA Board and discussed
the following areas:
Salaries and Benefits
o Merit Pool of based on average of 2%
o Insurance & Benefits – 6% average increase
o Cost of Living adjustment – 2.5%
o New Position - Marketing
Administration:
o Adjustments based on actual costs
2
o Contracted services - Age of van & Malibu warranty
Visitor Services:
o Contracted services – parking increase
Marketing & Promotions
o Contracted Services –
Research as recommended by Strategic Plan
Brochures & Publications
o Publication Reprints
o Annual Report & Brand Toolkit
o Press Kit Revisions
Photography & Video
o Meeting & Convention updates
o Communications Video
Advertising
o Continue with aggressive paid social spend as a result of its effectiveness
in driving engagement and leads
o Special Interest Initiative
o Out of state Marketing
Education
o Increased Staff Development opportunities
Promotions
o Website Development
o AAA Fam Sponsorships
o SV CMX Map Publishing
o Trade Show Booths
Trade Shows
o 3 additional shows
NY Times Travel Trade
Travel Media Showcase
IMEX
Capital expenditures
o Scheduled replacement of pcs and monitors
o Office Furniture replacement
o Cloud Integration
District U
o Advertising
Sports Advertising & Creative
Leisure Advertising
o Sports Marketing:
Increase in Sales Calls
Additional Shows based on recommendation of Director of Sports
Development
Kim Hufham also noted that budget items that are directly tied to the 3 year Strategic
Plan are highlighted to be easily identified.
3
There being no further discussion on the FY 2019/2020 NHC TDA Budget,
Chuck Pennington moved that the FY 2019/2020 Budget in the amount of $7,365,658 be
recommended for adoption. Motion was seconded by Jason Bryant and carried
unanimously. A copy of the proposed budget is attached for record. The formal budget
adoption and Public Hearing is set for June 12, 2019 at 5:00 pm.
ITEM #5 – STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE – KIM HUFHAM
President/CEO Kim Hufham updated the TDA Board on the progress of the TDA
Strategic Plan. As noted in the budget presentation, initiatives that were identified for FY
19/20 have been incorporated into the budget for implementation. Staff is working on a
Request for Proposals (RFP) for the research project slated for this fiscal year and work
has begun on new website planning. The Strategic Plan Update will become a fixed item
on the TDA Board agendas moving forward.
ITEM #6– PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS – KIM HUFHAM
President/CEO Kim Hufham presented the following updates:
Marketing:
o Live Like a Local Campaign will launch in Fall
o New Trip Advisors features: Premium Destination Partnership
o 2020 Visitors Guide Sales in final stages
o BrandUSA will be in our destination filming next week
o Photo shoots, video shoots over the next several weeks
Sales:
o Molly Johnson received the MPI-CC Corey D. Bizzell Award of
Excellence at the annual meeting
o Robert Cox has been appointed to the SportNC Board of Directors
o Joel Smith has been appointed to the SGMP/NC Board of Directors
o Staff will be attending several shows in the upcoming months
o Large amateur wrestling event held at Wilmington Convention Center
with over 1200 participants
Communications/PR:
o Updating/Revising Crisis Plan
o Summer Preparedness Update
o PRSA Annual Conference
Program of Work/Strategic Vision Plan
o Present to TDA at August Meeting
o Industry Partner presentation- September
ITEM #7 – OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
4
None presented
ITEM #8- CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – DANIEL PERKINS
Chairman Perkins reminded the Board of the Grand Re-opening celebration at the
Verandas on July 14, 2019 at 5 pm. Everyone is invited to attend.
Additional information located in Exhibit Book XIII.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the NHDTDA Board of Directors,
Motion to adjourn at 6:12 pm made by Jason Bryant. Motion was seconded by Chuck
Pennington and carried unanimously.
Next meeting – Public Hearing & Budget Adoption – June 12, 2019
______________________________ __________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Angela Rhodes, Secretary
Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIII
5