Town of Blowing Rock
Tourism
Development Authority
Minutes
April 4, 2006
Call to Order
Chairperson Keele called the meeting to order and welcomed the members and guests. He advised that Executive Director Miller and Assistant Director Lindsay Galvin were out of town attending the N.C. Governors Tourism Conference.
Approval of Minutes February 13, 20 and 27, 2006
Chairperson Keele
entertained the approval of the February 13, 20 and 27, 2006 (including the
February 13 and 20, 2006 closed session) meeting
minutes. Motion by Vice-Chair Tarbutton and seconded by Member Drury to approve
the February 13, 20 and 27, 2006 (including the February 13 and 20, 2006 closed
session) meeting minutes, with the
following correction: change the February 13, 2006 meeting minutes to reflect
that Member Drury abstained on the
Chairperson Keele introduced Finance Officer Margaret Pierce to review the FY 2005-06 budget to date.
Finance Officer Margaret Pierce then reviewed the monthly financial statement and the FY 2005-06 Occupancy Tax collections year-to-date through February 2006. She stated that February revenues, totaling a gross of $36,908.06, were up compared to February 2005. Ms. Pierce also advised that expenditures for the year were in line with projections.
Report -
TV/Monitor & Visitor Computer
Chairperson Keele advised
that Member Tester had installed a TV/Monitor at the
The Board requested that
Executive Director Miller follow-up on the computer security software on the
visitor computer.
Report - Advertising/Marketing/Web site
Chairperson Keele requested
an update on the status of various projects of the Advertising/Marketing/Web
Site Committee.
Website
Vice-Chair Tarbutton advised
that the integration of the TDA and Chamber websites was continuing and that a
launch date would occur in mid-April.
Video
Member Drury stated that the
new TDA tourism video (offered by the Village Inns and Chetola Resort) was now
up and running on the Visitor Center TV/Monitor.
Advertising Plan/ WC&T Agency Update
Member Drury advised that
the TDA Advertising Schedule was included with the Executive Director Monthly
Report and was well underway.
Member Drury then introduced
Dave Tomsky, Director of Public Relations with Wilson, Coman & Taylor, for
an update on ad agency activities. Mr. Tomsky advised that he had issued four
(4) press releases to media contacts over the last quarter. The releases
covered: winter hiking, (2) on the Blue Ridge Wine Festival, and the
selection of an Executive Director.
He stated that media
activities included: Charlotte Taste
Magazine - Valentine edition Womens
Day - upcoming September edition, Hemisphere
Magazine (United Airlines) a blurb on Wine Festival and Art in the Park
in current edition and Tampa Bay Magazine
- upcoming July visit scheduled.
Also, a NY Times travel writer has
shown interest in an article on the arts in Blowing Rock.
He also advised that writers
from
He concluded his report by
stating that he was excited about the responses thus far.
Chairperson Keele thanked
everyone for the work on these issues.
Report Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce
Chairperson Keele welcomed Chamber of Commerce President Pam Vines to provide an update on Chamber of Commerce activities.
Ms. Vines stated that the Trout
Derby, held this past weekend, was a huge success and had visitors from as far
away as
Ms. Vines encouraged the Town to continue their efforts
to incorporate the
Chairperson Keele thanked President Vines for her attendance.
Report - TDA Executive
Director
Chairman Keele stated the TDA
Executive Director monthly report was available in their packet for review. (Attachment #1)
Other FY 2006-07 Budget Process
Chairperson Keele stated that a proposed FY 2006-07 budget would be presented at the May Board meeting. He mentioned that Ex-officio Members Hildebran and Pierce, Executive Director Miller and Member Tester would be preparing the budget for Authority consideration. Formal budget adoption is scheduled for the June meeting.
Other TDA/Council Joint Planning Meeting
Chairperson Keele reminded the Authority that the annual joint TDA/Council Tourism Planning Session was scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. Member Drury advised that she would be unable to attend.
Other Computer Update
Chairperson Keele reported
to the Authority that Executive Director Miller was in the process of
purchasing a new computer for Assistant Director Galvin. He advised that the
Authority had previously approved the request and appropriated funds. The Board
expressed support for the purchase and suggested that the computer be
configured and sized appropriately for its intended use.
Other
Chairperson Keele advised
that Ginny Stevens had requested an update on the $15,000 funding request on
behalf of the Watauga County Architectural Survey. It was the consensus that
the request, due to other TDA funding obligations, did not rank at present as a
high tourism priority of the Authority. However, the Authority stated Executive
Director Miller had the issue under review and would follow-up on the item.
Other Future Meeting Schedule
Chairperson Keele requested
feedback from the Board, considering the retention of a new executive director,
on a schedule for future board meetings. The Board tentatively agreed to begin
bimonthly meetings beginning in July, subject to the consent of Executive
Director Miller.
Other Smith Travel Research
The Authority briefly reviewed data provided through Smith Travel Research and discussed the relevance of the information. Vice-Chair Tarbutton advised he would acquire additional clarification on the data and forward it to the Board.
Adjournment
With no further business, motion by Vice-Chair Tarbutton and seconded by Member Drury to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously approved. Chairperson Keele adjourned the meeting at 8:55 a.m.
______________________________
Scott E. Hildebran, Secretary
Attachments
#1 - TDA Executive
Director Monthly Report