HomeMy WebLinkAboutTDA Board Meeting October 25 2023
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
October 25, 2023
PRESENT Kim Hufham, President/CEO – NHC TDA
Bill Saffo, Mayor – City of Wilmington
Zach Brigman- Wilmington Hotel Manager (150+)
Lynn Barbee- Mayor, Town of Carolina Beach
Eric Credle – New Hanover County Chief Finance Officer
Tom Ullring – Carolina Beach Hotel Manager, (150+rooms)
Nicole Jones- Wilmington Hotel Manager (150-)
Zeke Partin- Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman
EXCUSED: Angela Rhodes- NHC County, Restaurant
Tom Ullring – Carolina Beach Hotel Manager, 150+room)
Hap Fatzinger- NHC Attractions
Natalie English- Chamber of Commerce
STAFF: Kim Little, Administrative Services Manager, Recording
Secretary
Linda Brothers, Senior Financial Analyst, New Hanover
County
Connie Nelson, Communications/PR Director
Karla Thompson, Technology/Systems Administrator
John Sneed, VP Sales
Shawn Braden, VP Marketing
GUESTS: April Adams, Cherry Bekaert CPAs & Advisors (Via WebEx)
Chad McEwen, City of Wilmington Liaison
Jeff Bourke- NHC Airport Authority
Allen Oliver, incoming Mayor of Kure Beach
Chairman Nicole Jones called the meeting of the New Hanover County Tourism
Development Authority Board of Directors to order at 5:05pm. The meeting was held at
the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce/CVB in the River Room.
ITEM #1 – EXCUSED – Hap Fatzinger, Jim Kitts, Natalie English, Angela Rhodes,
Tom Ullring.
1
ITEM #2 – APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES FOR September 13, 2023-
NICOLE JONES
\[Motion made by Bill Saffo and seconded by Craig Bloszinsky and
unanimously accepted to approve minutes as read of the, September 13, 2023, TDA
Board meeting\]
ITEM #3- ILM AIRPORT UPDATE- JEFF BOURKE
Jeff Bourke presented an update on the ILM Airport. Avelo Airlines has been servicing
the airport for a year now. The airport has 17 non-stop routes to date. Sun Country
Airlines has a seasonal flight servicing Minneapolis, MN roundtrip to Wilmington. There
was a dramatic peak in air travel and passengers in 2023. July 2023 was the highest
number of passenger’s travel. The airport will service 1.1 million passengers by year-end
2023. ILM Airport has several capital projects scheduled to start in 2024. One is to
address the shortage of parking spaces. The runaway capital project will start around June
2024. Jeff hopes to see more retail and restaurants added at the airport.
ILM Airport has received 160 million in Federal Grants for the miliary touch & go at the
airport.
ITEM #4 – AUDIT PRESENTATION – APRIL ADAMS VIA WebEx
April Adams of Cherry Bekaert, CPA’s gave a summary of the audit presentation for FY
22-23. April briefly addressed the role of the auditors which includes actions involving
performing procedures to obtain audit evidence concerning amounts and disclosures in
the financial statement, results that financial statements are free of material
misstatements, requirement communications on audit evidence obtained is sufficient and
appropriate to provide a basis for their audit opinion, etc. April stated they make sure
internal controls are in place. Financial results showed revenues more than expenditures
for FY 22/23 (budget to actual). April said they had full cooperation of New Hanover
County during their audit process and that the TDA was given a clean/ unmodified
opinion. This is the highest that can be received. (Copy of presentation attached.)
ITEM #5 – BUDGET AMENDMENT APPROVAL – ERIC CREDLE
Eric Credle, NHC Chief Finance Officer, presented the following Budget
Amendments.
BA#2024-002- Part A- to appropriate the available fund balances as outlined in
nd
the FY22/23 Annual Audit of the 2 3% ROT for the promotions at Carolina
Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and District U for $1,578,654.00.
2
Part B- to appropriate the available fund balances as outlined in the FY22/23
nd
Annual Audit of the 2 3% ROT for the Activities at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach
and Wrightsville Beach for $506,428.00.
Part C- to appropriate remaining funding received in FY22/23 from the City of
Wilmington for Convention Center Marketing for $$15,838.00.
\[Motion made by Zeke Partin and seconded by Craig Bloszinsky to
unanimously accepted to approve Budget Amendment BA#2024-002
in the amount of part A: $1,578,654.00, part B: $506,428.00, part C:
$15,838.00 as presented.\]
ITEM #6 – FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT – ERIC CREDLE
Eric Credle – presented the financials & ROT report to the board.
NHCTDA Treasurer Eric Credle presented the ROT collections report for the period
through September 30, 2023. The revenues are currently up 6.6% compared to the
st
budget. However, the 1 3% revenues are up from August 30, 2023, over FY22/23. The
st
expenditures of the 1 3% up 2.6% budget expenditures. 2nd 3% collections are 3.6%
below budgeted revenues but up 3% over the collections from fiscal year 2023.
Please refer to the financial reports in Exhibit Book XIII.
ITEM #7- FUNDING REQUESTS- KIM HUFHAM
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH:
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount of $80,000 to help support the cleaning of the beach
bathhouses and sanitation pick up on the oceanfront and other tourist
related areas from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. The Town
currently pays $13,330 per month to Cape Fear Janitorial for this function.
The reimbursement requested will assist the Town in its goal to provide
clean and safe for its guests,
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount $75,000 to support the Beach Patrol Officer
function during the FY2024. This service provides two dedicated officers
to patrol nearly four miles of beach strand and attend the enforcement of
ordinances and policies related to the use of parks and beaches by both
3
residents and visitors to the beaches, parks, and local public facilities that
support the tourism industry. The Beach Patrol Officers provide an
integral part of the overall Beach Safety and Ocean Rescue Program and
have full police enforcement authority.
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount of $2,740 be favorably considered to help fund the
purchase and installation of 26 Holiday themed banners. The Wrightsville
Beach Foundation has agreed to contribute $5,000 towards this project and
has asked that the Town of Wrightsville Beach pay the difference of
$2,740. These banners will be installed prior to Thanksgiving and will be
used to promote the numerous Holiday events that take place in the Town,
including the NC Holiday Flotilla, Tree Lighting & Santa, and the
Christmas Movie in the Park. The banners will hang on the existing
streetlamps along Salisbury Street and near the entrance to Town.
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount of $45,000 be favorably considered to help fund the
fireworks, advertising, public relations and the media support associated
with the planning and presentation of the 2023 North Carolina Holiday
Flotilla. These are to be used exclusively to help pay for a fireworks
display ($27,000) and other expenses to promote and execute the annual
event ($18,000). Funds will only be disbursed to the Holiday Flotilla by
the Town of Wrightsville Beach on a reimbursement basis after a review
of the paid invoices. The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla is a non-profit
corporate entity that has traditionally presented this event at Wrightsville
th
Beach during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This will be the 40
year for the Holiday Flotilla and it continues to be one of the premier
tourist attractions of the year for Wrightsville Beach and the entire
southeastern Carolina region.
The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA
funding in the amount of $450,000 to be favorably considered to support
the Ocean Rescue Program (Beach Strand Lifeguards) during FY 2024.
This service provides comprehensive ocean rescue coverage for the nearly
four miles of beach strand and expanded manning for thirteen (13)
lifeguard stations as well as mobile coverage. The service is staffed by
thirty (30) fully qualified personnel. The mission of the Wrightsville
Beach Rescue Program is to provide water lifesaving services, emergency
life support, water safely education, and enforcement of local water related
ordinances. Operation of the service is a critical element in providing a
safe and hospitable environment for beach visitors. The sum of the salaries
and associated operational costs for the Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue
and incorporates the salaries for the Ocean Rescue Director and Lifeguard
Captain.
4
Total funds requested: $652,740.00.
\[Motion made by Craig Bloszinsky, seconded by Lynn Barbee and
unanimously accepted to approve the funding request for Wrightsville
Beach as read.\]
ITEM #8- CVB UPDATE/PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS- KIM HUFHAM
Riverwalk Assessment update: There are 10 key areas with suggestions to
consider, adopt and then implement.
o Parking
o Gateways to the Riverwalk
o Visitor Information
o Clean-up and Screening
o Pedestrian Wayfinding
o Public Restrooms
o Invite Us Back
o Activating the Riverwalk
o The Main Attraction
o Potpourri
The CVB is working with a committee to prioritize these suggestions. A presentation will
be made to Wilmington City Council for consideration in the use of ARPA funds.
Tourism Master Plan- The CVB is working with Chris Cavanaugh, Magellan Strategies,
who will serve as the coordinator of project. The RFP prepared and distributed to 19
potential companies and posted on the NHC website. The timeline for the process is:
RFP deadline- November 21, 2023
Selection of Firm- no later than December 31, 2023
Project to commence work in January 2024
Marketing Highlights:
Production of 2024 Visitors Guide
Finalizing 2024 (Jan-June) Meetings and Sports ad plans
Refreshing all four websites with updated content, images and new short form
videos (just completed production of 34 videos)
Transitioning website and social media content to winter
Preparing for FY 24-25 strategic planning with staff and agencies
5
Preparing for 2024 kick-off brand and new audience research phase 2
Participating in Riverwalk and Tourism Master Plan development
Communications/PR:
November 1: Participate in the Society of American Travel Writers Media
Marketplace (virtual)
November 2: Attend the Southeast Tourism Society Travel Media Meetup in
Atlanta
Nov. 6: Attend the Outdoor NC workshop in Surf City
Call for What’s New in 2024: PR dept is collecting news about 2024 grand
openings, groundbreakings, new exhibits, accolades, major renovations, first-time
events, for our annual What’s New roundup. Please send What’s New items by
November 1 to Connie Nelson at cvbpr@wilmingtonandbeaches.com.
The Nov. 8-GM Roundtable will feature speakers from Career Centers at CFCC,
UNCW and NHC Schools to discuss their programs and partnership opportunities
for the hospitality industry.
Sales & Services:
Ironman looks to have set a record on attendance with 2,472 starting athletes,
beating 2019 by 150
YTD Leads- 23,804 TRN (48.5% increase)
YTD Booked- 19,732 TRN (88.6% increase)
YTD Lost- 8,746 TRN (319.1% increase)
Hosted NC Welcome Center Counselors FAM Tour.
ADMINISTRATION:
Riverwalk Assessment Meetings
WilmingtonNColor Meeting
CVB/ASM/WCC/Mayor Saffo- WCC Discussion
Sister City Commission
Battleship Marketing Director
NC Welcome Center Counselor FAM
WILMA Mentor Program
Ports Waterway & Beach Commission
Tourism Master Plan
Carolina Beach Inlet Study
NCTIA Nominating Committee
Executive Committee Meeting
6
New Hire- Lee Davis- (Karla Thompson retirement)
Legislative Update: Brian Lewis & Vince Chelena- NC Travel Industry
Association on November 29, 2023
Assessment Meetings
ITEM #9 – CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – NICOLE JONES
As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Next NHC TDA Work Session – Wednesday, NOVEMBER 29, 2023
______________________________ __________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Angela Rhodes, Secretary
Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIII
7