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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTDA Board Meeting October 29 2025 NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS October 29, 2025 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 Nicole Jones- Wilmington Hotel Manager (150-) Zeke Partin- Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman Tom Ullring – Carolina Beach Hotel Manager, 150+room) LeAnn Pierce- NHC Commissioner Nicolas Montoya- Wrightsville Beach Hotel Manager Allen Oliver- Mayor, Town of Kure Beach EXCUSED: Angela Rhodes- NHC County, Restaurant Hap Fatzinger- NHC Attractions Natalie English- Chamber of Commerce Dan Tollens, Kure Beach Hotel Manager STAFF: Kim Little, Administrative Services Manager, Recording Secretary Linda Brothers, Senior Financial Analyst, New Hanover County Connie Nelson, Communications/PR Director Lee Davis, Director of Website Molly Johnson, VP Sales & Services Megan Buchbinder, Executive VP Marketing & Strategy GUESTS: Lauren Samples, Immigrant Alliance Forum Joel Barrio, Democratic Socialists of America-Wilmington Chairman Tom Ullring 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 CVB Offices, Skyline Center- Suite 410 1 ITEM #1 – EXCUSED – Natalie English, Hap Fatzinger, Angela Rhodes • Pledge of Allegiance • Public Comments: o Joel Barrio, Democratic Socialist of America- See attached statement ITEM #2 – APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES FOR – Tom Ullring \[Motion made by Zeke Partin and seconded by Allen Oliver and unanimously accepted to approve minutes as read of the, August 27, 2025, TDA Board meeting\] ITEM #3- FINANCIALS/ROT REPORT – ERIC CREDLE Eric Credle – presented the financial & ROT reports to the TDA board. Please refer to the financial reports in Exhibit Book XIII. ITEM #4- FUNDING REQUESTS- KIM HUFHAM WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH:  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $240,000 to help support the cleaning of the beach bathhouses, Town restrooms and other public areas from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The Town currently pays $20,060 per month to Heavenly Scent for this function. The reimbursement requested will assist the Town in its goal to provide clean and safe bathrooms for its guests,  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount $175,000 to support the Beach Patrol Officer function during FY2026. 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 2 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 $195,000 to help support contracted trash pickup services on the beach strand from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The Town currently contracts with Wall Recycling for this function, which includes servicing 98 blue beach barrels located along the strand seven days a week year-round. Wall Recycling also provides additional cars and service during holiday weekends to accommodate high visitor demand. The reimbursement requested assistance with the Town in its goal to provide and clean and safe beach environment for its guests.  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $50,000 be favorably considered to help fund fireworks, advertising, public relations and media support associated with the planning and presentation of the 2025 North Carolina Holiday Flotilla. These funds are to be used exclusively to help pay for a fireworks display and other expenses to promote and execute the annual event. Funds will only be disbursed to the Holiday Flotilla by the Town of Wrightsville Beach on a reimbursement basis after a review of invoices paid. The North Caolina Holiday Flotilla is a non-profit corporate entity that has traditionally presented this event at Wrightsville Beach during the st Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This will be the 41 year or 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 Town of Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount $130,000 to help support the purchase and installation of enhanced holiday decorations for the 2025 season. The purposed improvements include a 41-foot Everest Fir Christmas tree with multi-colored lights and star topper, lighted silver and gold gift displays, a decorative tree base, soldiers, and expanded lighting for 35 trees along Causeway Drive, Town Hall, and the Town’s Welcome Sign. These enhancements, along with the contracted installation, removal, and storage, will transform Wrightsville Beach into a magical holiday destination for visitors. The North Caolina Holiday Flotilla is already one of the Town’s biggest draws, bringing thousands of visitors each Thanksgiving weekend. These upgrades -and the Town’s continued investment in its holiday atmosphere- will make Wrightsville Beach a must-see destination during what is typically the off-season boosting tourism and strengthening the Town’s reputation as a premier coastal attraction. 3  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $250,000 to help support the replacement of dune walkovers the Town’s public accesses from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. A recent engineering review identified deficiencies at Access #2 (2698 N. Lumina Avenue, Access #3 (2498 Lumina Avenue, Access #4 (2398 N. Lumina Avenue), and Access # 8 (1800 N. Lumina Avenue). These walkovers are essential infrastructure that provide visitors with safe, direct access from the street to the beach strand. The reimbursement requested will assist the Town in ensuring its beach access is safe, accessible, and welcoming for the thousands of guests who use them each year.  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $260,000 to support the design of improvements to the John Nesbitt Loop. The project will include widening the pathway in select areas, creating a new connection to the sidewalk leading across the drawbridge, enhancing landscaping and scenery, and evaluating possible reconfigurations to improve flow and accessibility. The Loop is widely recognized as Wrightsville Beach’s second biggest asset after the beach itself, attracting thousands of visitors year-round who come to walk, run and enjoy the Town’s recreational setting. These design efforts represent investment in Wrightsville Beach’s reputation as a community committed to recreation, fitness and visitor experience. By planning these improvements now, the Town can ensure the Loop continues to be a premier destination for visitors and a cornerstone of its tourism economy.  The Wrightsville Beach Board of Alderman respectfully request TDA funding in the amount of $1,000,000 to be favorably considered to support the Ocean Rescue Program (Beach Strand Lifeguards) during FY 2026. This service provides comprehensive ocean rescue coverage for the nearly four miles of beach strand and expanded manning for fourteen (14) 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 safe 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 are available in the amount of $2,300,000 pending final fund balance rollover per FY 24/25 Audit. 4 \[Motion made by LeAnn Pierce, seconded by Nicolas Montoya and unanimously accepted to approve the funding request for Wrightsville Beach as read.\] CAROLINA BEACH The Carolina Beach Town Council respectfully request TDA funding for the following:  Ocean Rescue/Lifeguard Expenses for the period of November 1, 2024- June 30, 2025, for $326,940.31. Salaries, expenses, and benefits related to ocean rescue/lifeguard staff. Carolina Beach is a top beach destination for travelers and draws tens of thousands of visitors each year.  Boardwalk Expenses for the period of November 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, for $235,111.25. Salaries, expenses, and benefits related to maintenance/operational expenses for the CB Boardwalk, a major tourist attraction/destination in southeast NC for tens of thousands of visitors each year.  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, and Christmas by the Sea for the period of November 1, 2024- June 30, 2025, for the total $98,943.07. Total funds are available in the amount of $660,994.63 \[Motion made by Tom Ullring, seconded by LeAnn Pierce and unanimously accepted to approve the funding request for Carolina Beach as read.\] KURE BEACH  The Town of Kure Beach respectfully requests funding for expenditures that were incurred for the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Free Summer Concerts to be held during the summer/fall of 2025 and the 2025 Cape Fear Festival to be held in November 2025.The six free concerts, held at the Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area, and the Kite Festival, held at the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, attract tourists to Kure Beach by providing an enjoyable and affordable entertainment venue. The 5 expenditure for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 totals $30,000.00 and is supported by documentation attached to this request. Total funds are available at $30,000.00 \[Motion made by LeAnn Pierce, seconded by Nicole Jones and unanimously accepted to approve the funding request for Kure Beach as read.\] ITEM #5- Tourism Master Plan Update- Kim Hufham • Finalized Action Plan and Activation Road Map from Mythic’s strategy team, CVB department leaders and board representatives meeting in August. • Finalized marketing tools for Tourism Master Plan presentations • Video • Plan-on-a-Page • TMP Road Show presentations: • Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors • Wilmington Rotary Club • Kiwanis Club • Shoulder season stability initiative by developing a fall, holiday and winter strategy • Hired Community Engagement Manager – Mark McGrew • Started 10/28/2025 • Community Engagement Strategy Development VISION STATEMENT. By 2030, Wilmington & Beaches will be the top-of-mind, year-round coastal destination in the Southeast, celebrated for its authentic charm, accessibility, and the unique synergy between its historic riverfront and island beaches. We will be renowned as a place that visibly cares for its community, creating 'Raving Fans' among residents and visitors alike Three Strategic Pillars to Guide Our Growth: Pillar 1: A Thriving Year-Round Destination We will build a robust, four-season economy by developing new products and targeting new audiences to smooth seasonality. Pillar 2: A Champion for Our Community 6 We will deepen our partnerships and serve as a strong advocate, ensuring tourism growth is sustainable and enhances quality of life for residents. Pillar 3: An Unforgettable Coastal Experience We will elevate our core assets—from our historic riverfront to our unique island beaches—to create a world-class visitor experience. Building Momentum: Our Focus for the Next 6 Months Laying the Foundation for the Future • Critical Infrastructure: • Initiate a feasibility study for a formal Convention Center expansion and hotel solutions to enhance our group business capacity. • Engage our community: • Community Engagement Strategy: Communicate the value of tourism, build resident pride, and provide tangible support to local businesses. • Convene Ad Hoc Destination Visionaries Group to provide high-level strategic guidance on long-term destination development and major initiatives. • Building Momentum: Our Focus for 12 Months and beyond • Revisit Sports Assessment: • Review & update the existing sports assessment to identify new & emerging opportunities in sports tourism • Access & Transportation Initiatives: • Serve as the voice of the tourism industry in advocating for critical transportation solutions • Workforce Development • Partnering with the Chamber (as the lead in workforce development) as the voice for the tourism industry’s needs • Work with our local educational institutions to prepare students for a career in hospitality & tourism 7 WBCVB TMP Action & Accountability Tracker: The website to see the WBCVBTMP Action & Accountability Tracker is www.destinationrise.com Discussion was had concerning a more detailed tracker for the NHC TDA Board of Directors. Staff will work on this and present at the January TDA meeting ITEM #6 -CVB UPDATE/PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS- KIM HUFHAM Marketing Highlights: • Community Engagement Manager Hired • Mark McGrew, Start Date October 28, 2025 • Visitor Guide Development Underway • Submitting first round design changes by Friday • Our fall campaign launched in August with tactics being added throughout the fall months; wrapping up middle of November • Holiday campaign begins November 1 • Wrapped a two day photo and video shoot downtown and at Carolina Beach State Park in October to increase our fall assets • Beginning a mini documentary series on the makers of our community • Using Wallaby Productions • First "maker" are the owners of Rx Chicken & Oysters—showcasing spearfishing and oyster farm 8 Additional ideas: Azalea Festival, Local artisans, theatre companies, museums, etc. • FY26 Website Stats (July-October 2025) • 614K visitors to the site • 12 million events to the site • Top Visited Pages • Summer I Turned Pretty Locations • One Tree Hill Scene Locations • Haunted Wilmington Itinerary • Dawson's Creek Locations • Guide to Parking in CB • Top Sources • Organic Search • Programmatic Unified Display • Paid Search: WNC & OOS • Social Media Stats Facebook Wilm: 131,795 followers (+850 growth) CB:121,840 followers (+880 growth) KB: 42,631 followers (+26 growth) WB: 50,584 followers (+95 growth) Instagram Wilm: 68,770 followers (+432 growth) CB: 46,366 followers (+891 growth) KB: 24,459 followers (+46 growth) WB: 53,542 followers (+55 growth) Upcoming focus: Holiday content, Check What's Good launch Sales & Services: • Sent out 32 leads • Booked 13 groups / 5,624 r/n • Conducted 4 site visits • Hosted AENC FAM, 32 attendees • Attended • SPORTS Relationship Conference in Columbia, SC • TEAMS in Columbus, OH • Small Market Meetings Tradeshow in Buffalo, NY 9 • AENC Annual Meeting in Raleigh • PCMA Capital Chapter in DC • SGMP in Raleigh • PCMA Southeast in Orlando • Event Industry Council Governance Council meeting @ IMEX in Las Vegas • NC Sports Association in Greenville, NC • Hosted the following groups: • NC Division of Services for the Blind • Carolinas Public Gas Association • Environmental Information Association • National Federation of the Blind • NC Public Health Association • NC Technology Association • UNC Cause • NC Dept of Health & Human Services • USS Forrestal • NC Association of Nurse Anesthetists • Medtronic US • ECNL Girls • NC Wildlife Resources • NC Association of District Court Judges • ECNL Boys • GE Aerospace • Ironman • Stonewall Sports • NC Emergency Management Association • NC Movers Association • Upcoming • Hospitality Industry Partners networking @ Greenfield Lake Amphitheater • Hosting NC Travel Industry Association • MPI-CC Annual meeting in Beaufort, NC • PCMA Greater Midwest in Chicago • PCMA Southeast in Atlanta • Connect Southeast in Dallas, TX • Association Forum Holiday Showcase in Chicago • AENC Tradeshow in Raleigh • MPI Georgia in Atlanta Communications/PR: Press Trips: 10 • The PR team hosted 8 press trips in September and October, with more in the works for November through the holiday season. • Media Events: • Earlier this month the PR team participated in the Visit NC PR Symposium & Media Marketplace in Raleigh and the STS Travel Media Meetup in Nashville. • Next week, they will travel to represent the destination at the Visit NC Media Mission (New York City) & the Society of American Travel Writers Eastern Chapter Meeting (Providence RI) • They are also registered to attend the NCPRSA Chapter Conference in Raleigh (Nov. 20) • Presentations to 2 UNCW Introduction to Tourism classes in November (12 & 18) • Partner outreach for What’s New in 2026 roundup • *Two CVB team members are recognized by the Greater Wilmington Business Journal as part of the WilmingtonBiz 100, honoring the leaders shaping Southeastern North Carolina’s business landscape: Kim Hufham once again made The Connectors list and Megan Buchbinder was recognized as a Rising Star • *Stay tuned for upcoming *embargoed* destination and partner announcements WEBSITE/TECHNOLOGY UPDATES • New Hire: Jessica Campbell has joined the team as our new Marketing Technology Specialist. She will now serve as the main point of contact for listings, contacts, and events. • Visitor Booth Kiosk: Installation scheduled for later this week, featuring Check What’s Good integration. The kiosk is expected to go live in early November. • AI Policy Review: The AI usage policy is currently being revised and reviewed to ensure responsible and effective implementation across the organization. ADMINISTRATION: • Chamber/CVB Discussion • Holiday on Water marketing meeting • TDA Discussion – LeAnn Pierce • WILMA Women to Watch Awards Dinner • WILMA – Women to Watch Winner in Public Sector Category • City Hall Ribbon Cutting • CB100 closing ceremony - speaker • Cycle NC Meeting • GWBJ Power Breakfast • Riverwalk Committee Meeting • Tourism Master Plan meetings 11 • Holiday on Water discussion – Becky Hawke • CVB Annual Program of Work presentation • HVS consultant – Market demographics/trends • Sister City Commission Meeting • Chamber Public Policy Meeting • Community Engagement Manager interviews • WAHA Attractions Breakfast • AENC Fam Luncheon • SPARK ILM – Economic Outlook Luncheon • Marketing Technology Coordinator interviews • UNCW/CVB discussion – Dr. Guettabi • Brunswick County TDA meeting • Johnny Griffin – Wilmington Regional Film Commission ITEM #8 – CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – Tom Ullring ITEM #9- ADJOURN As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Next NHC TDA Meeting – Wednesday, January 28, 2026 ______________________________ __________________________ Kim Hufham, President/CEO Zach Brigman, Secretary Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book XIII 12