HomeMy WebLinkAboutTDA Board Work session November 27 2023
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS- WORK SESSION
November 29, 2023
PRESENT: Allen Oliver, Mayor of Town of Kure Beach
Kim Hufham, President/CEO – NHC TDA
Nicole Jones, Wilmington Hotel (150 -)
Eric Credle, NHC Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
Hap Fatzinger, NHC Attractions
Ross Pitman, NHC Bed & Breakfasts
Nicolas Montoya- Wrightsville Beach Hotel (150+)
Lynn Barbee, Mayor – Carolina Beach
Bill Saffo, Mayor – City of Wilmington
Zach Brigman, Wilmington Hotel (150+)
Tom Ullring, Carolina Beach Hotel
EXCUSED: Natalie English- Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Angela Rhodes-NHC restaurants
Nicole Jones, Wilmington Hotel (150 -)
Jim Kitts- NHC Vacation Rental Properties
Zeke Partin- Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman
Tom Ullring, Carolina Beach Hotel
STAFF: Kim Little, Administrative Services Manager/Recording
Secretary
Connie Nelson, Communications/PR Director
Karla Thompson, Technology/Systems Administrator
Shawn Braden, VP Marketing
John Sneed, VP Sales
Vince Chelena- Executive Director of NC Travel Industry Association
Brian Lewis – New Frame, Inc. NCTIA Lobbyist
President/CEO Kim Hufham called the work session of the New Hanover County
Tourism Development Authority Board of Directors to order at 5:00pm. The meeting was
held in the River Room at the offices of the CVB.
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ITEM #1 – CALL TO ORDER- KIM HUFHAM
ITEM #2 - EXCUSED – Natalie English, Nicole Jones, Zeke Partin, Angela Rhodes,
Tom Ullring
ITEM#3- LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY UPDATE- Vince Chelena, Brian Lewis
Legislative Issues facing the Travel & Tourism Industry:
School Calendar Law
Occupancy Taxes
Beach Renourishment
Inlet Dredging
Environmental Issues
Workforce Shortage
COVID Relief funding
The lobbyists are keeping a close eye on these top topics: Workforce Development,
Preserve Summer, and Occupancy Tax. North Carolina Travel & Tourism coalition are
monitoring the counties that have decided to blatantly break the school calendar law. A
coalition has been formed between: NCTIA, NC Travel & Tourism Coalition &
Hospitality Alliance of North Carolina to help litigation, strategy and recommendations.
There is some discussion of a proposed bill to start after Labor Day and dismiss by
Memorial Day.
The Republican power of the NC House of Representatives and NC Senate puts the
School Calendar Law in jeopardy. Luckily, there are friends within committees that
support tourism. For example, Senator Michael Lee supports the School Calendar Law.
But Representatives Deb Butler and Ted Lee both from this area have voted against the
School Calendar Law.
Vince cited a story of a lawsuit brought against Henderson County
Workplace Development: The NCTIA Workforce Pilot Program has been successful in
Mecklenburg, Lincoln, Cabarrus & Union Counties to recruit students into the Tourism
Industry. This program is for students that aren’t heading into higher education.
Internships & Apprenticeships in eight hotels and convention centers are available for
students for wages and class credits. The General Assembly allocated $250,000 for this
program. Kim Hufham stated that she would like to see a program such as this here in
New Hanover County & region. She will continue to work with NCTIA on the
possibility.
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To keep up with the latest NC Travel and Tourism news the organization sends out a
newsletter every Friday and follow them on Twitter/ @ncindustry.
\[ A copy of the Advocacy PowerPoint presentation can be found in the NHC TDA
Exhibit Book XIIII\]
ITEM #4 CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2023
______________________________ __________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Angela Rhodes, Secretary
\[Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIIII\]
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