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Home My WebLink AboutTDA Board Meeting May 28 2024 NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS May 29, 2024 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 CFO Allen Oliver- 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 Ross Pitman, NHC Bed & Breakfast Bill Saffo- Mayor, City of Wilmington EXCUSED: Angela Rhodes, NHC Restaurants Zeke Partin – Town of Wrightsville Beach Tom Ullring- Carolina Beach Hotel STAFF/GUESTS: Kim Little, Administrative Services Manager/Recording Secretary Lee Davis, Director of Websites Shawn Braden, Executive VP Marketing Connie Nelson, PR/Communications Director Linda Brothers, Senior Financial Analyst, New Hanover County Immediate Past 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 Skyline Center in Room 457. ITEM #1 EXCUSED MEMBERS Chairwoman Nicole Jones noted excused absence for Zeke Partin, Angela Rhodes and Tom Ullring. 1 ITEM #2 – APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES – March 28, 2024 \[Motion made by Hap Fatzinger, seconded by Lynn Barbee, and unanimously approved to accept March 28, 2024 NHC TDA Board minutes as presented.\] ITEM #3 – FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT- ERIC CREDLE NHCTDA Treasurer Eric Credle reported for July 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024. The st revenues are flat compared to the budget. The expenditures of the 1 3% are down nd 24.5% through April 2024 over FY23/24 budget. All the 2 3% collections are under 29.2% based on the actual compared to FY24 budget. \[Complete financial reports can be found in Exhibit Book XIIII.\] BUDGET AMENDMENT- BA# 2024-04-  BA#2024-04- to budget revenues and appropriate expenditures associated with the County contributions toward expanded inbound air service to Wilmington International Airport (ILM) per the Memorandum of Understanding between the TDA and New Hanover County in the amount of $250,000. \[Motion made by Allen Oliver, seconded by Ross Pitman and unanimously accepted to approve the B.A. 2024-004 for $250,000\] ITEM#4 – EXPENDITURE REQUESTS- KIM HUFHAM Carolina Beach:  The Town of Carolina Beach respectfully requests funds for Ocean Rescue/Lifeguard salaries, expenses, and benefits. Carolina Beach is a top beach destination for travelers and draws tens of thousands of visitors each year for the period of November 1, 2023- February 29, 2024, for the total $54,560.87. 2  The Town of Carolina Beach respectfully requests reimbursement of funds for the Boardwalk’s temporary labor to operate and maintain the boardwalk area during summer seasons. The CB Boardwalk is a major tourist attraction/destination in southeast North Carolina for tens of thousands of visitors each year. For the period of November 1, 2023- February 29, 2024, for the total $147,602.17.  The Town of Carolina Beach respectfully requests funds for events held by P &R to promote travel and tourism to Carolina Beach. Examples include weekly fireworks display, band performances, Sunday night movies, family nights, Christmas by the Sea. The skateboard park expansion brings more opportunities for larger events fostering additional travel opportunities and tourism to Carolina Beach for the period of May 12, 2022 – February 15, 2024, for the total $253,720.82. Total funds are available in the amount of $455,883.86. ITEM #5- BUDGET PRESENTATION- KIM HUFHAM St  Overall 1 3 % budget – Revenue projections were up .89% - Expenses are budgeted up 1%  Administration – up 16%  Visitor Services – up 32%  Sales & Marketing – down 2.68%  District U – up 7%  Convention Center District – up 6%  Salaries & Benefits – up 3.96%  3.88% cost of living increase  1.5% merit pool  Fund Balance Requests – TOTAL Request - $500,000 rd  Out of State Marketing – $ 275,000 (3 year of program –Total of $ 1 million per year)  Airport Marketing - $125,000  Riverfront Booth upgrades: $45,000  Occupied booth – 36 years  Operate Year-round 7 days per week – New administration offices are not conducive to a visitors’ center  CVB will pay cost of upgrades to include:  New Insulation  Upgrade electrical  New windows  HVAC  Outside aesthetics  Visitor Information Kiosks: $25,000 3  Identified in Riverwalk Study  CVB will purchase one for visitor center area nd  City will purchase a 2 kiosk along Riverwalk area with ARPA funds  CB Visitor Center: $15,000  Upgrade current booth to more permanent structure  Cost to be shared with town of Carolina Beach  Employee Salary Study: $15,000  Last one conducted in 2003/2004  Competitive analysis of positions Administrative:  Overall Increase Administration up 4% Visitor Services:  Overall Increase Visitor Services up 2% Marketing/ Promotions:  Overall Marketing/Promotions up 5% Salaries & Wages:  Overall Increase 3.96% DISTRICT U:  Overall increase District U up 7% CONVENTION MARKETING:  Overall Increase Convention Marketing up 6% Upon presentation of the proposed 2024/2025 Budget in the amount of $13,161,865.00 it was the consensus of the NHC TDA to recommend adoption at the June 12, 2024, Budget Hearing. 4 \[Copy of FY2023/2024 Budget can be found in Exhibit Book XIIII.\] ITEM #6- PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS- KIM HUFHAM MARKETING:  Development and transition to summer seasonal pages and promotion  Production of new destination marketing videos for all four destinations  Photo shoot of all four destinations continuing through June  FY24-25 Media Plan reviews and completion of flow charts  Development of FY24-25 Program of Work  Development of Historic Wilmington holidays promotion  Kick off of FY24-25 fall advertising  Completion of FY23-24 Research Survey to determine the effectiveness of FY23- 24 advertising and analysis  Kick off of destination analysis for Tourism Master Plan SALES & SERVICES:  Booked Room Nights pacing ahead of last year by 10%  PI VIC is officially opened for the season on May 24th  River booth is set to undergo upgrades in FY 24/25 to make usable year round COMMUNICATIONS/PR:  Visiting Journalists: During April and May the PR department hosted several in- state and out-of-state journalists. In June the CVB will co-host a German Media FAM Tour with Visit NC to promote RDU’s new Lufthansa direct flight.  Media Events: In June, Connie will attend the PRSA Travel & Tourism Conference in Greenville, SC and will participate in the Visit NC Boston Media Mission.  Workforce Development: Members of the PR and Sales team participated in the New Hanover County School countywide Career Expo (April) and the WWAY Job Fair (May).  Recent Accolades: It was announced earlier today that each of our 3 island beaches are among the TOP 4 “Best North Carolina Beaches” according to USA Today 10BEST Readers’ Choice contest. 5 WEBSITE/TECHNOLOGY:  Actively preparing for the upcoming summer season, ensuring that all events in our area are accurately represented on the CVB's (Convention and Visitors Bureau) calendar of events. This process involves: 1. Importing Summer Events: Importing a comprehensive list of summer events into our calendar. This ensures visitors have access to the latest and most exciting happenings in our area. 2. Constant Updates and Communication: This ongoing collaboration guarantees that all information regarding events, lodging, things to do, and activities is up-to- date and reliable. 3. New Upfit Area Development: In the process of outfitting our new upfit area with the necessary technology. This includes the installation of audio/visual systems and ensuring internet connectivity. These enhancements are crucial for supporting both our internal operations and the needs of our partners and visitors.  Our team remains committed to leveraging technology to improve the visitor experience and support the tourism industry in our region. We look forward to continuing our work and providing further updates on progress in the next meeting. ADMINISTRATION:  State of the County Address  Economic Development Focus Group  WCC/CVB Annual Presentation to City Council  Office Upfit meetings/oversight  ILM Promotional video  Tourism Master Plan Meetings  VIC Riverfront Meeting  Visit NC Regional Strategic Planning meeting  WCC Advisory Meeting  Riverwalk Committee Meetings  Surf City Tourism  WILMA Mentor Meeting  NCAFF Advisory Meeting • NCDOT Press Conference • Employee Insurance meeting • Economic Impact (city venues) 6 • NTW – Travel Rally Breakfast • KB MAC Meeting • NCTTC Executive Committee • NTW Proclamation – NHCC • Executive Committee Meeting • Interviews: o WWAY o Spectrum- Capital Tonight MASTER PLAN UPDATE: A realistic vision of tourism’s future A road map to help guide: destination development, marketing and sales and visitors management initiatives. A collection of research, input, and data points. A decision-making tool for local leaders and businesses Creating strategies that succeed in: • demonstrating the CVB’s commitment to balancing tourism growth • facilitating greater collaboration and alignment • identifying of new destination products and experiences that complement existing assets • understanding the threats and opportunities • providing clear assignments, roles, and expectations that lead to accomplishments 7 Steps Timing Destination Assessment & Community Alignment Summer Stakeholder Input Fall Resident Sentiment Survey Fall Needs & Opportunities Late Fall Destination Master Plan Early Winter Beach Community Early Winter Destination Plans Implementation Work Early Winter & Beyond 2024 Travel Rally Breakfast: The following awards: Tourism Legacy Award: Bob Rippy Tourism Star Award: Amanda Leese Tourism Star Award: Barbara Parker Tourism Star Award: Davin Coutu 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. 8 Next meeting – Public Hearing & Budget Adoption – June 12, 2024, at the New Hanover County offices in room 136 ______________________________ __________________________ Kim Hufham, President/CEO Lynn Barbee, Secretary Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIIII 9