TDA 03-23-2011
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARCH 23, 2011
PRESENT: Jonathan Barfield, Chairman New Hanover County
Commissioners
Anne E. Brodsky, Hotel/Motel Owner Kure Beach
David Cignotti, Mayor Wrightsville Beach
Anne Marie Hartman, Hotel Wrightsville Beach
Kim Hufham, President/CEO NHC TDA
Mike Keeler, Hotel 150 (+) Wilmington
Dean Lambeth, Mayor Kure Beach
Carl Marshburn, County Attractions
Bob McKoy, NH County Vacation Rentals
Sabina Newman, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Chuck Pennington, County Bed and Breakfast
Jimmy Pope, Hotel Carolina Beach
Bill Saffo, Mayor City of Wilmington
Dan Wilcox, Councilman Carolina Beach
EXCUSED: John Andrews, County Restaurants; Avril Pinder, Authority
Finance Officer; Frank Jones, Hotel (-) 150 Wilmington
ABSENT:
STAFF: Jeanette Foster, Administrative Services Manager/Recording
Secretary
Shawn Braden, Executive Vice-President of Marketing
Mikie Wall, Vice-President Sales and Services
Connie Nelson, PR/Communications Director
Sheila Boyd, NHC Finance
GUESTS: Shannon Bowen, Wilmington Star-News
Kip Damrow, Alliance Hospitality
Bruce Holsten, PI MAC
Brandon Agency (Andy Kovan, George Durant,
Barry Sanders)
Chairman Bob McKoy called the meeting of the New Hanover County Tourism
Development Authority Board to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott
on Van Campen Boulevard and welcomed new Board members Jonathan Barfield,
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New Hanover Commissioners Chairman and Dan Wilcox, Carolina Beach
Councilman.
ITEM #1 EXCUSED
John Andrews, Avril Pinder, Frank Jones.
ITEM #2 MINUTES APPROVAL JANUARY 19, 2011
[Motion made by Chuck Pennington, seconded by Carl Marshburn and
unanimously accepted to approve the January 19, 2011 TDA Board minutes
as read.]
ITEM #3 FINANCIALS AND ROT REPORT SHEILA BOYD
Sheila Boyd, New Hanover County Finance, advised the Board that expenditures
are in line and revenues are up 13% from previous year to date. Each of the beach
towns is steady.
[Motion made by Anne Brodsky, seconded by Sabina Newman and
unanimously carried to approve the financial report as presented.]
ITEM #4FUNDING REQUEST CAROLINA AND WRIGHTSVILLE
BEACHES KIM HUFHAM
President/CEO Kim Hufham presented funding requests from the Town of Carolina
Beach in the amount of $190,196.39 for expenses incurred for lifeguard
expenses/benefits and employee assistance for various events during the period of
May, 2010 January, 2011. Breakdown: Lifeguards/Benefits - $184,628.69;
Employee Assistance for various events - $4,466.13; Police Service for 2010
Christmas Parade - $1,101.57. These requests have been requested and approved
by the TDA Board in previous years and funds are available.
[Motion made by Mayor Bill Saffo, seconded by Mayor Dean Lambeth
and unanimously carried to approve the TDA funding requests in the
amount of $190,196.39 as requested by the Town of Carolina Beach.]
President/CEO Kim Hufham presented funding requests from the Town of
Wrightsville Beach for a total amount of $416,023.00 and funds are available.
The first request for funding is in the amount of $32,000.00 to support their Beach
Patrol Officer function during the FY 2010-2011 municipal budget cycle (July 1,
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2010 June 30, 2011.) The sum requested includes salary and associated
tourism-related beach and park management and enforcement duties. This
function has been approved by the TDA Board beginning in 2004.
The second request is for $28,000.00 to help support increasing demands on the
reas and beaches
for visitors. The requested funding includes a portion of the personnel costs for a
full-time employee, support equipment, fuel and uniforms. It covers the period of
7/1/10 6/30/11. The TDA Board has approved this request beginning in 2006.
Rescue Program (Beach Strand Lifeguards) during FY 2010-2011 (7/1/10-6/30/11.)
This service provides comprehensive ocean rescue coverage for nearly 4 miles of
beach strand and expanded manning for 13 lifeguard stations as well as mobile
coverage and 29 fully qualified personnel. Operation of this service is a critical
element in providing a safe and hospitable environment for beach visitors. The
TDA Board started approv
[Motion made by Mayor Bill Saffo, seconded by Commissioner Chairman
Jonathan Barfield and unanimously carried to approve the TDA funding
requests in the amount of $416,023 as requested by the Town of Wrightsville
Beach.]
ITEM #5 THE BRANDON AGENCY PRESENTATION ANDY KOVAN,
GEORGE DURANT, BARRY SANDERS
Chairman Bob McKoy commented on what had taken place in the search for a
marketing agency. Had a committee of 6 (3 staff members consisting of Kim
Hufham, Shawn Braden, Connie Nelson; 3 Board members consisting of Bob
the request for a marketing agency. Each was very extensive and the committee
members went through each one individually. The search was narrowed down to 5
who were interviewed. Although any of the five could have done the job, it was felt
that the Brandon Agency out of Myrtle Beach had the most experience and the most
in-house capabilities. Bob introduced the Brandon Agency who plan to give an
Andy Kovan introduced the Agency members present and explained his overview
would consist of what would be taking place over the next several months in making
the CVB look different. He said that is the power of a brand.
Mr. Kovan presented a Brand Development Process which will yield that end
result. (Copy of presentation will be given to each Board member at the May 25
Board meeting and can be found in the TDA Exhibit Book Nine.) He mentioned
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that a time line for the Brand would take 6-8 weeks and that statistics would be
reported on a monthly basis.
Mr. Kovan noted that next Tuesday and Wednesday, planning sessions to take place
(a.m. and p.m. sessions each day) to bring people together and ask questions on
experience while they are here, etc. Will take this information and do testing. Have
asked key stake holders from the area to attend.
ITEM #6 KIM HUFHAM
President/CEO Hufham commented that even though the Brandon Agency
was officially to start July 1, some funding had been found in our current
budget for them to officially start April 1. They have graciously agreed to
work with us and have already been working on their own. Kim also said the
Agency had been in attendance at all three beach marketing meetings as
observers. Clean Design (the three beaches have chosen this agency) will be
attending the beach marketing meetings next week. Both agencies are willing
to work together. Kim invited Board members to please RSVP for one of
the 4 planning sessions next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Pertaining to Room Occupancy Tax, had a good January. Smith Travel
Research
an increase of 10% compared to last February. Average Daily Rate (ADR) is
still slightly down, but starting to rise.
Board discussion on how to get impact of tourism dollars driven by major events
such as the Azalea Festival, etc., and sharing this information with the CVB on the
economic impact generated by such events, major group activity, etc. Kip Damrow
stated how they had handled large groups/functions when he was in Milwaukee with
inventory and rate to the CVB. It would go into the Passkey System and if someone
was attending a convention or event and needed rooms, that link would come up
with every hotel in the marketplace. Hotel would be chosen and clicked on to make
reservation. All the financial and room information would go to one source, with
each hotel getting their rooming list as well as the CVB receiving a list of where
everyone is staying. This is 100% trackable.
Kim noted that this type of operation does cost money but is something we may
want to look at down the line, especially when we start getting city wide conventions.
Kim said some research is already being done for the future.
During the recent Governors Conference on Tourism, the attendees received
2010 visitors spending numbers from the state. North Carolina was up 9%
as reported by the Governor during her address to the attendees. A
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breakdown of all county numbers will be made available to everyone in July
or August.
Legislative resolution which was approved at the March TDA Board meeting
was sent to the Legislators. Have received a response from Representative
Justice that the delegation is supportive of the issues. Kim advised it is very
important we stay in touch with Representative McComas on the School
Start issue. He is Chairman of the House Commerce Committee and the
School Start issue would go through this Committee before it goes to the
floor. Kim said they heard from their tourism lobbyist that there are some
bills which have been filed pertaining to the School Start issue concerning
waivers, etc. As an industry, we must stay on top of this.
Kim advised the budget will be presented at the May Board meeting. When
the FY budget for 2011-2012 is presented, it may be a little different in terms
that we may only show advertising in a lump sum, not a breakdown form.
We will come back with a breakdown form as we receive it (as was alluded to
by the Brandon Agency.)
We are in our new offices and know several of the Board has been by to visit.
Moving expenses stayed within budget. Currently working on signage issues
with the City and D.O.T. Connie has done an extensive e-mail blast on our
new location. Really trying to get the word out. In talking with Mark Boyer,
our new location will also be noted on the government channel.
Looking at new web site being launched by June 30. Mobile revision by July
31.
We are behind on reports. International Mailing who has handled our
Have had reporting issues in getting inquiries, etc. Presently working on
bringing these up to date. Will advise when they are up to date and on line.
Had a very successful Home Town Tourist day even though it rained all day.
Had 32 attractions participating and over 7,000 attendees.
May 7-15 is National Tourism Week. We will again participate in doing local
awareness with our travel partners. Kim and other staff members will
attend events in Raleigh with our legislators.
Last week we held a very successful hospitality seminar. It was held at Cape
Fear Community College. Joint venture between the Community College,
Wilmington Area Hospitality Association, the CVB, Pender County CVB and
the Brunswick County TDA. Had over 160 people to participate and a
Already in the works to have this again next year.
ITEM #7 OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
No old or new business.
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ITEM #8 BOB MCKOY
officers for 2011 (list handed out.) Recommendations include:
Chairman Bob McKoy
Vice-Chairman John Andrews
Secretary Chuck Pennington
Treasurer Avril Pinder (per Legislation)
Chairman McKoy asked for nominations from the floor. Hearing none, asked for a
motion.
[Motion made by Anne Brodsky, seconded by Anne Marie Hartman and
unanimously carried to accept the slate of officers for 2011 as recommended
by the Nominating Committee: Bob McKoy, Chairman; John Andrews,
Vice-
position is per Legislation.
Chairman McKoy thanked Kip Damrow and staff for their hospitality.
Adjourn at 6:30 p.m.
______________________________ __________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Chuck Pennington, Secretary
Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book IX
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