HomeMy WebLinkAboutTDA Executive Board Meeting May 24 2023
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
May 24, 2023
PRESENT: Nicole Jones – Chairman
Tom Ullring- Vice-Chairman
Angela Rhodes – Secretary
Kim Hufham – President/CEO
Eric Credle– NHC Chief Finance Officer
STAFF: Kim Little- Admin. Services Manager/Recording Secretary
Linda Brothers-Senior Financial Analyst, NHC
NHC TDA Board Chairman Nicole Jones called the Executive Committee Meeting
to order at 1pm via WebEx conference call.
ITEM I: APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES: - Nicole
Jones
\[Motion made by Tom Ullring, seconded by Angela Rhodes and
unanimously accepted to approve the March 23, 2023, Executive
Committee minutes.\]
ITEM II: AIRPORT INCENTIVE/GUIDELINES DISCUSSION – Kim
Hufham
A meeting was held earlier in the month to discuss future funding and the
working of new air service incentives. The TDA had the opportunity to
present actual budget numbers and a proposed amount of funding moving
forward to the Wilmington Airport Authority. After discussions with NHC
County Leaders, NHC Airport Authority Board members, Mayor Saffo
and NHC TDA board members, it is recommended that the NHC TDA
approve funding in the amount of $125,000. A line item will be added to
the budget for $125,000 to fund the new air service marketing when new
to Wilmington. This will be pending full NHC TDA Board approval.
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ITEM III: PROPOSED 2023/2024 TDA Budget- Kim Hufham
Revenues are projected down 10.18% from last fiscal year projections.
We have not met our 22/23 revenue projections and the FY 23/24 projections are
based on actuals for FY 22/23 and been adjusted accordingly.
Overall budget has been reduced by 10% - the final budget is flat with last year's
budget with the ask of $500,000 from fund balance to fund the following special
initiatives:
o Out of State Marketing Initiative - $275,000. This is being funded at a
total spend of $1 million with the beaches and District U contributing.
o Tourism Master Plan = $100,000. This has been designated for FY 23/24
per our updated Destination Strategic Plan.
o New Air Service Development. - $125,000. This will be the total amount
available for new air service/routes for the fiscal year.
Overall increase in cost of doing business.
Advertising & promotional activities are flat from last fiscal year
Salaries & Staffing: Overall increase – 6.32%
o Following New Hanover County Cost of Living adjustment (COLA) –
5.5%
o 2.5% Merit bonus pool based on annual evaluations.
o Reclassify Communications/PR Specialist to Communications/PR
Manager based on added job duties.
o Medical increase – 9% estimate
Research – 3 projects slated for fiscal year
o Arrivalist Media/Visitation Research and Lodging Impact
o Adara Impact Reports Customer Insights and Visitor Spending
o Destinations Analyst Research
Brochures & Publications
o Increase in “Gap” amount due to ad sales and cost of printing increase
o Re-vamp Guide Map
Promotions
o NC Welcome Center FAM Tour
o New Air Service Development
o Increase in media fams – OOS & cost
o Tourism Master Plan – agency strategy participation
Strategic Planning/TDA Board work sessions
Equipment
o Computer/laptop replacements
o Miscellaneous Furniture
Consensus to present the FY23/24 TDA Budget to the NHC TDA May Meeting.
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ITEM IV: PRESIDENT COMMENTS- Kim Hufham
The Riverwalk Assessment will be updated at the August 30, 2023, NHC
TDA Board Meeting. The assessment was funded by NHC TDA, and the
suggested items are to be funded by the City of Wilmington.
ITEM V: OLD/ NEW BUSINESS- Nicole Jones
ITEM VI: ADJOURNMENT- Nicole Jones
As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2pm.
_____________________________ ___________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Angela Rhodes, Secretary
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