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Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board

Orange County · Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau
Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Advisory board meeting Arts and public artBudget and appropriationsPublic facilities

Agenda document Minutes Watch Meeting recap

What was decided

  1. Approved Approval of Minutes Approved unanimously on a motion by DR Bryan, seconded by Meredith Saybe

Read from the agenda's recorded outcomes. Where the board published minutes, those are the record — this is a pointer to them.

What's on this agenda

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau's advisory board took up a staff request to move $201,842 from the bureau's fund reserve to cover higher advertising costs, including a sponsorship tied to Sonark Media's PBS special. Members also heard a presentation on the economic impact of arts spending in Orange County and approved minutes from two earlier meetings.

The board also reviewed the tourism agency's branding, including a possible logo redesign, and got an update on new tenants at the Innovate Carolina Junction, where the meeting was held, including added space for Durham Tech's Small Business Center.

Summarized from the published agenda. Read the agenda itself before acting on it.

Meeting recap

What happened, drawn from the records published after the meeting. Minutes

The board approved minutes from its August 21 and September 25 meetings on a motion from DR Bryan, seconded by Meredith Saybe, with all members in favor. Katie Murray of the Orange County Arts Commission presented findings from Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, a national survey of 373 regions: arts-related spending in Orange County totaled $107 million a year, split between $84.6 million from arts organizations and $22.4 million from audiences. She told the board artists are leaving the county over living costs and said space to work, perform and sell art is limited.

Budget officer Hannah Hemphill said occupancy tax collections are tracking with projections and asked the board to shift $201,842 from the fund reserve to cover increased advertising, including the PBS sponsorship; the minutes do not record a vote on the request. Executive Director Laurie Paolicelli said a logo survey requested by board member Wendy Smith will be resent for more feedback, and the board welcomed Pix Walsh, the Welcome Center's new front desk manager.

How the votes went

The board's single recorded vote, on minutes from two earlier meetings, passed unanimously.

From the published minutes.

Speaking at this meeting

Orange County's own rules for public comment — check them before you rely on anything here.

Agenda items (7)

Procedural · 2Staff or committee report · 2Minutes approval · 1Presentation · 1Budget action · 1
  1. Call to Order
    Procedural
    Karen DeHart, the board chair, called the meeting to order at 8:08 a.m.
  2. Round Table Introductions
    Procedural
    The board welcomed Pix Walsh, the Welcome Center's new front desk manager, and Jerry Jones, Durham Tech's executive director of workforce development, as a guest.
  3. Approval of Minutes
    Minutes approval
    The board approved minutes from its August 21 and September 25, 2024 meetings.
    Approved unanimously on a motion by DR Bryan, seconded by Meredith Saybe
  4. Welcome to the Junction
    Staff or committee report Public facilities
    Durham Tech's Small Business Center added space at the Innovate Carolina Junction, alongside its main location at the Chesterfield Building, to work more closely with UNC.
  5. Arts Economic Prosperity – Katie Murray, Orange County Arts Commission
    Presentation Arts and public art
    The Orange County Arts Commission presented Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 findings showing $107 million a year in local arts-related spending and described artists leaving the county over living costs and a shortage of space to work and perform.
  6. Executive Director's Report
    Staff or committee report
    Laurie Paolicelli said a board-requested survey on representation in the bureau's logo will be resent for more feedback, and described discussion of keeping a “small town charm” brand while promoting outdoor activities as the area grows.
  7. Budget Report
    Budget action Budget and appropriations
    Staff asked to move $201,842 from the fund reserve to cover higher advertising costs, including a sponsorship of Sonark Media's PBS special, and said occupancy tax collections are tracking with projections.

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