HomeMy WebLinkAboutTDA Board Meeting October 2024
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
October 30, 2024
PRESENT Kim Hufham, President/CEO – NHC TDA
Bill Saffo, Mayor – City of Wilmington
Zach Brigman- Wilmington Hotel Manager (150+)
Angela Rhodes – NHC Restaurants
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
Natalie English – Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
LeAnn Pierce – NHC Commissioner
Ross Pittman – NHC Bed& Breakfast
Allen Oliver – KB Mayor
Nicolas Montoya – WB Hotel
EXCUSED: Hap Fatzinger- NHC Attractions
Lynn Barbee – CB Mayor
DanTollens – KB Hotel/Motels
STAFF: Kim Little, Admin Services Manager, Recording Secretary
Linda Brothers, Senior Financial Analyst, NHC
Connie Nelson, Communications/PR Director
Lee Davis, Director of Website
John Sneed, VP Sales & Services
Shawn Braden, Executive VP Marketing & Strategy
GUESTS: April Adams, Cherry Bekaert CPAs & Advisors (Via WebEx)
Chad McEwen, City of Wilmington Liaison
Jonathan Guy, Clarity of Place
David Holder, Clarity of Place (via WebEx)
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ITEM# 1 – CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Tom Ullring called the meeting of the New Hanover County Tourism
Development Authority Board of Directors to order at 5:00 pm. The meeting was held at
the Wilmington and Beaches CVB offices.
ITEM #2 – EXCUSED – Lynn Barbee, Hap Fatzinger
ITEM #3 – APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES FOR AUGUST 28, 2024
\[Motion made by Allen Oliver and seconded by Zach Brigman and
unanimously accepted to approve minutes as read of the, August 28, 2024, TDA
Board meeting\]
ITEM #4- AUDIT PRESENTATION – APRIL ADAMS VIA WebEx
April Adams of Cherry Bekaert, CPA’s gave a summary of the audit presentation for FY
23/24. 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 23/24 (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 BA#2025-004 for approval in the
amount of $2,699,988.00. The breakdown is as follows:
Part A- to appropriate the available fund balances as outlined in the FY23/24
nd
Annual Audit of the 2 3% ROT for the promotions at Carolina Beach, Kure
Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and District U for $1,586,637.
Part B- to appropriate the available fund balances as outlined in the FY23/24
nd
Annual Audit of the 2 3% ROT for the Activities at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach
and Wrightsville Beach for $962,397.
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Part C- to appropriate remaining funding received in FY23/24 from the City of
Wilmington for Convention Center Marketing for $150,954.
\[Motion made by Zeke Partin and seconded by Nicole Jones to
unanimously accepted to approve Budget Amendment BA#2025-004
in the amount of $2,699,988.00.
ITEM #6 – FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT – ERIC CREDLE
Eric Credle presented the financial & ROT report to the board.
NHCTDA Treasurer Eric Credle presented the ROT collections report for the period
through September 30, 2024. The total revenues are currently down 12.08% compared
st
to FY23/24. The expenditures of the 1 3% up 5.5% compared to budget through
September 24.
Please refer to the financial reports in Exhibit Book XIII.
ITEM #7- FUNDING REQUESTS- KIM HUFHAM
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH:
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
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
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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.
Total funds requested: $652,740.00.
\[Motion made by Nicolas Montoya, seconded by Natalie English and
unanimously accepted to approve the funding request for Wrightsville
Beach in the amount of $652,740.00.\]
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ITEM#8 – CONSIDERATION OF WCC RESOLUTION
Kim Hufham requested that the TDA Board consider adopting a resolution in support of a
feasibility study by the City of Wilmington for expansion of the Wilmington Convention
Center. Kim has met with the city and shared with them the need for more space to
accommodate larger conventions.
Motion was made by Ross Pittman and seconded by Allen Oliver to prepare a Resolution
in support of the feasibility study. Motion was carried unanimously. The Resolution will
be brought before the TDA Board of Directors for Approval at the next meeting.
ITEM #9- TOURISM MASTER PLAN UPDATE- JONATHAN GUY
Jonathan Guy with Clarity of Place/Kimley Horn presented an update of the Tourism
Master Plan process and next steps.
The purpose of the Tourism Master Plan will:
Demonstrate the CVB’s commitment to balancing tourism growth
Facilitate greater collaboration and alignment
Identify new destination products and experiences that complement
Step Timing
Destination Assessment & Completed.
Community Alignment Currently being formatted.
One-on-One Interviews Completed. (18 interviews)
Stakeholder Input Completed. (79 participants)
Stakeholder Survey Closed. (203 total responses)
Resident Sentiment Survey Closed. (1,541 total responses)
Needs & Opportunities Draft for Review by 11/8
Tourism Master Plan Draft for Review by 11/25
Beach Community
Draft for Review by 12/2
Destination Plans
Integration into budgeting, marketing,
January
and strategic plans
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existing assets
Proactively address threats and opportunities
Data analysis includes:
Map plotting of existing destination assets & infrastructure
Review of existing community plans
Visuals showing destination capacity
Visuals showing destination use
Summary of current travel patterns
Integration of current CVB programs
Interviews & Small Group Sessions
The questions that were posed to the attendees of these session were:
What would you like to see as an outcome of this plan?
Describe your view of Wilmington & Beaches/Wrightsville Beach/
Kure Beach/Carolina Beach as a place to visit in 2030…
What are the readily available tourism-related growth opportunities for Wilmington &
Beaches/Wrightsville Beach/Kure Beach/Carolina Beach?
What are the barriers that stand in the way of accomplishing that vision or delivering
upon those growth opportunities?
What are the specific areas where your operation needs assistance from Wilmington &
Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau?
Input update:
Resident Sentiment Study- 1,541 responses (as of October 28, 2024)
Age
Gender
18-24 15
Male 563
25-34 96
Female 942
35-44 190
Prefer not to
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answer
45-54 288
55-64 436
65+ 516
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City
Wilmington 747
Carolina Beach 349
Kure Beach 174
Wrightsville Beach 271
The direction trends include a Strategic Paradox: Acknowledging a Destination on the
Rise versus Envisioning a Destination on the Rise.
Visionary concepts that will drive destination development:
1. Parks & trails
a) Eagle Island Nature Park
b) Connected walking and biking trails
c) Marina and boating access
2. Venues
a) Convention center expansion
b) Full-service convention hotel
3. Leisure Demand Drivers
a) Film Center
b) North Carolina Submarine Museum
c) Fort Fisher State Historic Site
d) Project Grace
e) Sports entertainment
f) Riverwalk
g) NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Next steps will be to begin to compile the various information that has been obtained and
present the final finding to the TDA Board of Directors for their review, comments and
suggestions. A workshop for this step will be held in December.
ITEM #10- CVB UPDATE/ PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS
Kim Hufham presented the following information:
SALES :
Booked room nights is pacing ahead of last year by 27.5% (last year was
benchmark year)
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October 11-13 First CVB event at nCino Park, the Elite Club National League
Regional League Girls tournament went well. 1,500 athletes plus family and staff
Ironman had a record number of starters, 2,629 and used an estimated 8,500 TRN
SERVICES:
The Riverfront Booth is under renovations with upfits which include insulation, new
windows and an HVAC system. The digital kiosk will be installed as part of the project.
Completion should be by mid-November. We have worked with the city to have
brochures available for visitors in the lobby of the Skyline Center in the interim.
COMMUNICATIONS/PR:
Earlier this fall the PR team hosted a Visit North Carolina media fam tour with
writers from People, Cosmopolitan, Garden & Gun magazines and The
Washington Post.
Additionally, the PR team hosted writers on assignment with Our State, Southern
Living, and ThisIsRaleigh.com
In October, the PR team participated in a Southeast Tourism Society Travel
Media Meetup in Charlotte.
On November 19, the PR department will participate in Visit NC’s in-state media
mission and PR symposium.
The PR team has also been busy executing the communications plan component
of the Tourism Master Plan.
Recent national media coverage in People magazine (One Tree Hill fan event) and
a destination piece in Origin magazine.
MARKETING:
• Holidays on Water Campaign advertising & creative development, website &
drone shows for Wilmington
• 2025 Visitors Guide Final Proofing
• Fort Fisher State Historic Site Video and Photography Shoot
• Regular Holiday website seasonal pages launch for all four destinations
• Fall advertising & Holiday blogs and e-newsletters for all four destinations
• Development of Carolina Beach Centennial marketing campaign
• Official destination marketing videos edits for all four destinations
• Tourism Master Plan
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WEBSITE/TECHNOLOGY:
The IT/Website department is focused on enhancing website functionality and
streamlining database management to improve user experience and data accuracy.
The department is continuously exploring new tools and improvements to support our
industry partners and optimize internal operations at the office.
ADMINISTRATION:
The Administrative department has been involved in the following:
• Riverwalk Committee Meetings
• Tourism Master Plan – Small groups/Surveys/Update calls
• Program of Work – Industry Presentation
• Sister City Commission
• Gateway/Signage/District Discussion meetings
• Wilmington BIZ Expo luncheon
• Ncino Park ribbon cutting
• WDI Luncheon panelist prep meeting
• WECT Interview – TMP
• WCC Advisory Meeting
• TDA Executive Committee Meeting
• Fort Fisher Visitor Center grand opening ceremony
• Recognized by Greater Wilmington Business Journal – Top 100 – Connector
category.
• Executive VP of Marketing & Strategy Retirement:
• Shawn Braden will be retiring effective January 31, 2025
• Hired Magellan Strategies to assist in the search process
• Search Process/Schedule
• Job posting finalized and submitted to relevant media
Week of October 28
• Resumes received
November 1-22
• Semifinalist interviews conducted
November 11-27
• In-person finalist interviews conducted
Week of December 9 or 16
• Desired start date
January 14, 2025
• Upcoming Projects:
• MAPS Personnel Study
• Working with TMP Team on Succession Plan as a component of Tourism
Master Plan
• Community Sessions for roll-out of Tourism Master Plan
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ITEM #11 – CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – TOM ULLRING
Natalie English expressed concerns in regards to future retirements of Executive Team
staff at the CVB. Discussion was had concerning the lack of a succession plan and the
knowledge base that will be lost due to these retirements. She stated the TDA should
have a plan in place to facilitate a smooth transition as staff leaves.
Kim Hufham stated that only one staff member (Shawn Braden) has submitted her
resignation due to retirement. She assured the TDA Board that additional staff may be
contemplating retirement but have not submitted anything to her at this time. She also
stated that if and when additional staff does decide to retire, sufficient notice would be
given to find a replacement. Kim is working with Clarity of Place to include a succession
plan as part of the Tourism Master Plan for future use as required.
As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Next NHC TDA Work Session – December (date to be determined)
______________________________ __________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Lynn Barbee, Secretary
Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIII
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