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Home My WebLink AboutTDA Board Meeting May 31 2023 NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS May 31, 2023 PRESENT: LeAnn Pierce – NHC County of Commissioner Kim Hufham – President/CEO – NHC TDA Nicole Jones – Wilmington Hotel (150-) Lynn Barbee- Mayor – Town of Carolina Beach Eric Credle- NHC Treasurer Craig Bloszinsky- Mayor, Town of Kure Beach Natalie English- Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Hap Fatzinger- NHC Attractions Zach Brigman– Wilmington Hotel (150+) Tom Ullring- Carolina Beach Hotel Jim Kitts- NHC Vacation Rentals EXCUSED: Angela Rhodes, NHC Restaurants Ross Pitman, NHC Bed & Breakfast Bill Saffo- Mayor, City of Wilmington Zeke Partin – Town of Wrightsville Beach STAFF/GUESTS: Kim Little, Administrative Services Manager/Recording Secretary Karla Thompson, Systems Administrator Shawn Braden, Executive VP Marketing Connie Nelson, PR/Communications Director Linda Brothers, Senior Financial Analyst, New Hanover County Chairman Nicole Jones called the meeting of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority Board of Directors to order at 5:00 p.m. at the NHC Government Center in Room 137. ITEM #1 EXCUSED MEMBERS Chairwoman Nicole Jones noted excused absence for Ross Pitman, Angela Rhodes, Zeke Partin, and Bill Saffo. 1 ITEM #2 – APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES – March 29, 2023, and April 26, 2023 \[Motion made by Hap Fatzinger, seconded by Lynn Barbee, and unanimously approved to accept March 29, 2023, and Motion made by Hap Fatzinger and seconded by Tom Ullring and unanimously approved to accept April 26, 2023, NHC TDA Board minutes as presented.\] ITEM #3 – FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT- ERIC CREDLE NHCTDA Treasurer Eric Credle reported for July 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023. The revenues are currently down -5% compared to the budget. However, the 1st 3% st revenues are up. The expenditures of the 1 3% are up 6.97% through March nd 2023 over FY21/22. All the 2 3% collections are up YTD, as well. \[Complete financial reports can be found in Exhibit Book XIIII.\] ITEM#4 – EXPENDITURE REQUESTS- KIM HUFHAM WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH: The Town of Wrightsville Beach has seen an impact to beach access with less sand area to drive in case of emergency. The Town is requesting assistance from TDA funds to purchase a Utility Vehicle with attachment for a medical transport board, as well as a supplies kit for emergencies. This will allow TOWB Ocean Rescue further ability to provide lifesaving measures in case of emergency, where a standard truck or emergency vehicle is not accessible. Total amount of the requests: $25,000 \[Motion made by Craig Bloszinsky, seconded by Lynn Barbee, and unanimously approved to accept funding request as read, May 25, 2023,\] 2 ITEM #5- BUDGET PRESENTATION- KIM HUFHAM  Revenues are projected at 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.  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 Administrative:  Overall Increase Administration up 5% Visitor Services:  Overall Increase Visitor Services up 5% Marketing/ Promotions:  Overall Marketing/Promotions down .24% Salaries & Wages:  Overall Increase 6.56% DISTRICT U:  Overall increase District U down 19% 3 CONVENTION MARKETING:  Overall Increase Convention Marketing up 10% Upon presentation of the proposed 2023/2024 Budget in the amount of $12,925,693 it was the consensus of the NHC TDA to recommend approval at the June 21, 2023, Budget Hearing. \[Copy of FY2023/2024 Budget can be found in Exhibit Book XIIII.\] ITEM #6- PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS- KIM HUFHAM MARKETING:  Wrapping up FY22-23 ad campaigns  Developed New Audience Brand Research survey questions and launching survey in June at end of FY22-23 ad campaigns  Wrapping up production of 34 short form destination videos based on things to do; conducted sports video shoot of beach wrestling national tournament at CB and Seaside Soccer Classic  Conducted 2024 Visitor Guide Photo Shoot and developed editorial content outline  Launched summer promotions and website content  Ongoing hosting of spring and Out of State campaign influencers (sharing total results at the August TDA meeting)  Launching Mobile Trip Guide and starting delivery of promotional tent cards and plaqs to industry partners  Presented FY23-24 budgets to beach MACs  Launched Sports SkyNav virtual tour  Worked with Sun Country Airlines on its media plan and creatives  Participated in Riverwalk Assessment meetings  Attended Simpleview Technology Conference to learn about latest in digital marketing, ChatGPT and preparation to transition to Google Analytics 4 data and reporting. Working on FY23-24 advertising plans to kick off in July/August SALES & SERVICES:  Three Groups have reported record attendance in their 2023 meetings: 4 o Techno – previously met in Myrtle Beach for 20+years – over 1,000 registered. o Circle K o NCLGISA (NC Local Government Information Systems Association)  Strong May EOM numbers o YTD Booked rooms pacing ahead of 2018/2019 (pre-covid) o Likely to end FY 2023 as a record year COMMUNICATIONS/PR:  National Tourism Week – successful week o Tourism Star Award – Ali Clark – End of Days Distillery o Tourism Legacy Award – Chef Keith Rhodes – Catch  Launching of Tourism Academy Ambassador Training Program o Soft Launch next week  Received great coverage from recent Film Fam Tour that we co-hosted with VisitNC  STS Media MeetUp in Washington, DC - July ADMINISTRATION:  WCC/CVB annual presentation to City Council  Mayor Saffo – CVB updates  New Hanover County Commissioners Meeting – NTTW Proclamation  WCC quarterly updates meeting  WCC/CVB Budget Discussion – City leadership  TDA/Airport meeting – Incentives discussion  WCC Advisory Committee Meeting  NHC Government Center Ribbon Cutting  Executive Committee Meeting  TDA Work Session  Speaker – Southeast NC Region for Career Technical Education Leaders  Wrightsville Beach MAC Meeting  Kure Beach MAC Meeting  Budget preparation & meetings  Wilmington market insights meeting & requests  NC Travel & Tourism Coalition Executive Committee meeting & full Board meeting  Interviews: o WECT o Greater Wilmington Business Journal  National Tourism Week Travel Rally Breakfast 5  Riverwalk Assessment o Assessment & Secret Shop conducted May 3-8, 2023 by Destination Development Association o Workshop on May 8 with presentation of preliminary findings & suggestions  City of Wilmington  DBA  WDI  Wilmington Chamber  WCC  Downtown partners o Follow-up meeting with Riverwalk committee met to review report and offer additional suggestions. o Next steps:  Compiling information gathered at follow-up meeting.  Prioritize suggestions.  Meet with city officials to discuss suggestions and funding options.  Bring updates to TDA Board at August 2023 meeting ITEM #7– CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – NICOLE JONES ITEM #8- OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the NHC TDA Board of Directors, Motion to adjourn at 5:50 pm. Next meeting – Public Hearing & Budget Adoption – June 21, 2023, at the offices of Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and NHC TDA’s office ______________________________ __________________________ Kim Hufham, President/CEO Angela Rhodes, Secretary Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIIII 6