TDA 10-26 2011
NEW HANOVER COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
October 26, 2011
PRESENT: John Andrews, County Restaurant
Jonathan Barfield, Chairman – New Hanover County
Commissioners
Anne E. Brodsky, Hotel/Motel Owner – Kure Beach
David Cignotti, Mayor – Wrightsville Beach
Kim Hufham, President/CEO – NHC TDA
Frank Jones, Hotel – (150-) Wilmington
Dean Lambeth, Mayor – Kure Beach
Sabina Newman, Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Chuck Pennington, County Bed and Breakfast
Avril Pinder, Authority Finance Officer
Jimmy Pope, Hotel – Carolina Beach
EXCUSED: Carl Marshburn, Anne Marie Hartman, Mike Keeler, Bob
McKoy, Dan Wilcox, Mayor Bill Saffo
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
Linda Brothers, NHC Finance
GUESTS: Brandon Agency (George Durant, Wendi Burrell)
Kemmy Goodson, Goodson and Taylor, CPA’s
Vice-Chairman John Andrews called the meeting of the New Hanover County
Tourism Development Authority Board to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Coastline
Conference Center.
ITEM #1 – EXCUSED
Bob McKoy, Anne Marie Hartman, Carl Marshburn, Mayor Bill Saffo, Dan Wilcox,
Mike Keeler
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ITEM #2 – MINUTES APPROVAL – AUGUST 24, 2011
[Motion made by Frank Jones, seconded by Sabina Newman and
unanimously accepted to approve the August 24, 2011 TDA Board minutes
as read.]
ITEM #3 – AUDIT PRESENTATION – KEMMY GOODSON
(Copies of audit distributed.)
Kemmy Goodson of Goodson and Taylor, CPA’s, indicated that an unqualified
opinion has been issued in the financial statement; there were no reservations,
problems, concerns, mismanagements of funds and everything is fairly stated within
the financial statement. This is the highest opinion you can get.
Mr. Goodson said that page one of the report gives the auditor’s opinion, pages two
through six contains the Management Discussion and Analysis giving financial
highlights for 2010-2011; pages seven through twenty show Basic Financial
statements containing net assets, Statements of Activities, Fund Financial
Statements, Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenues, etc., Reconciliation of the
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, Changes in Fund Balance, etc. Pages twenty-
one through twenty-three contain the Supplementary Financial Information which
is the schedule of revenue, expenditures and changes in fund balance (budget and
actual which are totaled by category.)
Kemmy explained several of the above pages with figures and explanations as
needed and/or requested by the TDA Board members. A summary report from the
audited financial statements of the Authority gave a quick review of the more
pertinent facts from the statements. In addition to the first 3%, the second 3% and
what the beaches had spent was discussed as well as a convention center breakdown.
Kemmy advised we have substantial fund balance although we have a decrease in
net revenues. The TDA remains in good shape.
ITEM #4 – FINANCIALS AND ROT REPORT – AVRIL PINDER
Avril Pinder, New Hanover County Finance Director, presented the TDA Financial
Statement for July-September 2011. She advised that this year the Income
Statement shows encumbrances. Indicated we are actually doing well on revenues.
Tracking right along on expenses.
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For first two months of new Fiscal Year (2011-2012), 1 3% of NHC ROT
collections showed 6.37% increase; August was a little down at 2.30% and this can
partially be blamed on Hurricane Irene who hit our coast the last weekend in
August, but showing an overall increase of 2.69%.
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In review of beach ROT reports (2 3%), Carolina Beach had an increase for July
and slight decrease for August but still showing overall increase of 0.75%; Kure
Beach had an increase of 12.06% for July and only down 2.04% for August, and
showing an overall increase for the two months of 5.94%; Wrightsville Beach had a
big increase in July of 10.60% and decrease of 3.42% in August, but shows an
overall increase for the two months of 4.77%.
[Motion made by NHC Commissioner Chairman Jonathan Barfield,
seconded by Frank Jones and unanimously approved to accept the 2010-2011
audit report as presented by Kemmy Goodson and the Financial Report as
presented by Avril Pinder.]
ITEM #5 – BRANDON AGENCY UPDATE – GEORGE DURANT
George Durant of the Brandon Agency said the Agency had enjoyed the first 3
month of preparation and looking forward to the next 3 months that will take up
from launching pad when everything is together and established. By the January
25, 2012 Board meeting, they will be able to give the Board snapshot reports of a lot
of qualitative things (those things that look good, feel good and things to be
comfortable with.) Will put in things that will help us such as a tracking system.
Staff is diligently working making sure digital assets are placed where leads can be
generated and distributed and done in a manner which is very important.
January’s meeting will be very important to sit down with a report card and keep
score.
George said the second item is in regard to marketing. A bold decision was made to
go ahead with a branding that geographically locates this area in a way we feel very
strongly about. George wanted to make a simple formal recommendation to the
Board that the name of our organization, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, to
coincide with the Bureau’s new URL and marketing which reflects who we are now,
be renamed the “Wilmington and Beaches CVB.” This helps to imprint our
external marketing. It was noted that any collateral pieces such as letterhead, etc.,
will be used up before reprinting to reflect our new name.
[Motion made by Chuck Pennington, seconded by Frank Jones and
unanimously carried to approve the CVB name change from Wilmington/
Cape Fear Coast CVB to Wilmington and Beaches CVB.]
George said the final item he wishes to discuss was that Wendi Burrell has been at
the forefront trade marking our name. It takes up to six months to get trade mark
back (depends on amount of research needed.) Was filed August 19. The Board
approved funds for the trade mark at the August Board meeting.
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ITEM #6 – PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS – KIM HUFHAM
President/CEO Kim Hufham did an ROT comparison chart – compared to
peak Fiscal Year and calendar year looking at the past 5 years. The peak FY
was 2007-2008. 2010-2011 down only by 3.3%. Good news is that May, 2011
and July, 2011 were the largest May and July on record.
The September Smith Travel Report shows that occupancy was up 2.8%;
ADR up 8.3%; Rev Par up 11.3% and revenue up 13.1%. We are looking
forward to a good September
Chuck Pennington asked about getting figures of room inventory from 2007
until current. Kim said this information would be made available to him
and any other who might be interested.
Frank Jones asked about tracking of rental properties versus hotels from
2007-present. Kim said she would also get this information prepared.
Convention Center bookings – Fedcon, who was just here, had the highest
attendance on record for a meeting here in October and already booked
another smaller meeting for the spring of next year.
Kim and Connie attended UNCW Economic Summit on Tourism and it was
indicated that tourism is one of the positive outlooks for both county, region
and state. This was good to hear.
The industry presentation of our Marketing Plan for 2011-2012 and new
branding was held in September. It was well received by our constituents
and was carried on the New Hanover County government channel.
Our new brand information has been sent out to the industry.
Hosted a UK media fam tour (Connie and staff) to 5 journalists and UK rep.
They had a great interest in the area. Top publications represented were the
Daily Mirror with over 1 million in circulation; National Geographic Kids –
UK; Daily Star Sunday with a circulation of 704,000; Travel Mail website
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(77.3 million browsers which is only 2 to the NY Times;) and the
Manchester Evening News.
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The 1 and 2 weeks in November will have 2 American Cruise Line ships
port at Market Street.
Awarded host city for the 2013 Governor’s Conference on Tourism in
March, 2013. This is very good news.
Kim said we’re already working on the January, 2012 Board meeting. Very
excited about what will be presented.
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ITEM # 7 – OLD BUSINESS/NEW BUSINESS
Sabina Newman inquired about the Character Campaign. Kim indicated several
TDA members had requested that this item be tabled until January. Brandon
Agency has agreed to go with this unless someone approaches them and we would
then be given first right of refusal. A special meeting would have to be held prior to
January should this occur.
Sabina also inquired about Iron Man III being filmed here. Kim/Connie advised
this had not been made official. The CVB will follow up and release information as
appropriate.
Avril Pinder introduced the new TDA Financial Analyst for New Hanover County
Finance – Linda Brothers.
Kim informed the Board that she would like to move the slate of officers
nominations to January instead of March. Our By-Laws only state it must be done
in the first quarter and she would like the current Chairman Bob McKoy involved
in this as his term would be up prior to March.
Frank Jones asked about the Convention Center hotel. President/CEO Hufham
stated it was her understanding a letter of intent will hopefully be presented to the
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City by November 1 so this issue can move forward.
Some discussion on large cruise ships and reasons they cannot make trip into
Wilmington ports.
ITEM #8 – CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – VICE –CHAIRMAN JOHN
ANDREWS
N/A
[Motion to adjourn made by Sabina Newman, seconded by Chuck
Pennington and unanimously carried.]
Adjourn at 6:15 p.m.
______________________________ __________________________
Kim Hufham, President/CEO Chuck Pennington, Secretary
Minutes located in TDA Board Minutes Book X
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