2017-2018 Annual Report

www.visitchapelhill.org

2017–2018

Mark Losey/Town of Chapel Hill

Annual Report

{ D ow n tow n C h a p e l H i l l }

Who We Are

Who We Are

As the official accredited destination marketing organization of Chapel Hill and Orange County, the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau develops and coordinates visitor services in Orange County and implements tourism marketing programs. The Visitors Bureau is a department of Orange County, NC Government.Â

Our Mission To market Orange County, NC in collaboration with community stakeholders; to attract and serve visitors; and to positively impact the local economy and quality of life.

Our Vision To establish and promote Orange County as a premier place to visit; and a conference destination.

2 C H a p e l H i l l /O r a n g e C o u n t y V i s i to r s B u r e au

Š Copyright December 2018, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau

{ H i l l s b o r o u g h R i v e r wa l k }

Steven Whitsitt

Contents

Contents Dear Partners ������������������������������������������������������������������ 4 Tourism Statistics & Resources ���������������5 How We Bring Visitors to Orange County ������������������������������������������������������ 6–7 Meeting & Event Sales �����������������������������������������8 TerraVita Food & Drink Festival �������������9

Community Partnerships & Collaborations ������������������������������������������������������ 10 Financials ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Public & Media Relations, Communications & Social Media ����12–13 A Look Ahead �������������������������������������������������������������� 14 Visitors Center

����������������������������������������������������������

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2 0 17–2 0 1 8 A n n ua l R e p o rt 3

{ Old Well on the UN C - C h a p e l H i l l Campus }

Jon Gardiner

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau’s Annual Report updates you on the Visitor Bureau’s progress toward increasing the area’s visitor and conference business. This 2017–2018 Annual Report provides a summary for sales, services, digital marketing and communications, administration and operations.

Dear Partners in Chapel Hill/Orange County Hospitality and Tourism:

From the Board Chair

I am honored and humbled to serve as Chair of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau as we watch the tourism industry grow throughout our region, creating jobs and opportunities for so many.

I would like to thank Past Chair Rosemary Waldorf for her leadership of the Board through a period of growth and increasing influence.

In my role, I will look to provide a clear mandate and vision to the tourism industry in our county. It has been said, “You have to know the past to understand the present.”

Tourism in Orange County did not happen by accident. It is the result of the collaboration and hard work of board members, local business people and staff driving key priorities. Our diverse stakeholders—the Board of Orange County Commissioners, UNC, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro, Town of Hillsborough, North Carolina High School Athletics Association, the Chapel Hill/ Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce, hotels and others—have varied interests and expertise and work together to find common ground at the board level.

As much as we celebrate the addition of new hotel rooms, new events and development, our work continues to ally preservation with growth, study the growing trend of Short Term Rentals in our communities and continue to capture the hearts and interest of parents, alumni, youth sports visitors, arts aficionados and the hometown and visiting teams.

The year ahead will see many exciting announcements as the Visitors Bureau’s strategic direction expands.

I thank the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board, who volunteers their time, expertise and deep understanding of the tourism economy of North Carolina and Orange County. Their contribution is indispensable in creating a clear strategic framework for the Board of Orange County Commissioners.

Please review the many accomplishments of the 2017–18 year. I look forward to next year and the success it will bring.

The Triangle Business Journal

Sincerely,

4 C H a p e l H i l l /O r a n g e C o u n t y V i s i to r s B u r e au

Anthony Carey Chair, Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau Board of Directors General Manager, The Siena Hotel, Autograph Collection

North Carolina Botanical Garden

{ G u i d e d To u r at t h e N o r t h C a r o l i n a B ota n i c a l G a r d e n }

Tourism Stats & Resources Economic Impact

of Travel to Orange County* $197.99 million, up 2.67% from 2016.

• 1,910 Jobs in Orange County were directly attributable to travel and tourism.

• Travel generated a $40.07 million payroll in 2017 in Orange County.

• State tax revenue generated in Orange County totaled $10.69 million, while $4.33 million in local taxes were generated for a total of $15.02 million. This represents a $105.53 tax saving to each county resident. * Statistics from the “2017 Economic Impact Of Travel On North Carolina Counties.” The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by the U.S. Travel Association.

STATS & RESOURCES

• Visitors to Orange County in 2017 generated

Publications/ Videos Produced in 2017–18 • Visitors Guide • Visitors Map • Restaurants of Orange County Map Pad

• Holiday Gift Guide Rack Card • Share the Love (locally made products)

• 12 Ways to Enjoy Chapel Hill/ Orange County in 2018

• Orange County, NC Neighborhoods Guide

• 2018 Summer is Sizzling Chapel Hill & Orange County, NC Brochure

• New Chapel Hill, Occupancy Stats 2017–2018

UNC, Carrboro and Hillsborough Postcards

2017–18

2016–17

Percent Change

• Year in Review Video • Special Event Fliers/Promos (Top 10 Dining

66.0%

68.2%

-3.2%

$126.03

$126.12

-0.1%

Spots, July 4th, Bluegrass Festival, Holiday Dining, Winter Holidays Events, Valentine’s Day, April NC Beer Month, Memorial Day)

RevPar

$83.12

$85.95

-3.3%

Supply

608,356

554,940

+9.6%

Demand

401,223

378,198

+6.1%

RoomRev

$50.56 Million

$47.69 Million

+6.0%

Occupancy ADR

Occupancy—Percentage of rooms occupied Average Daily Rate—Room revenue divided by rooms sold Revenue Per Available Room—Room revenue divided by rooms available Supply (Rooms Available)—The number of rooms times the number of days in the period.

Demand (Rooms Sold)—The number of rooms sold or rented (excludes complimentary rooms).

RoomRev—Total room revenue generated from the sale or rental of rooms

Visitor Stats Literature Produced & Distributed

69,550

Website VISITS

204,306

Pageviews

419,395

E-newsletter subscribers

3,877

Walk-ins to Franklin Street Visitor Center

8,351

Attendance at Select Visitor Attractions & Tours

2,137,334

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Visitors Bureau Mission

{ E ac h Oc to b e r , t h e V i s i to r s C e n t e r w e lc o m e s v i s i to r s d u r i n g C h a p e l H i l l’ s F e s t i fa l l }

How the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau

helps bring visitors to Orange County

SP Murray

“I marvel that there are still planners out there that don’t work with Visitors Bureaus,” says Gregg B. Balko, executive director of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering. “If you are not using a Convention and Visitors Bureau’s offerings, then you are failing to take advantage of an additional resource for your members.”

The fundamental mission of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau is the promotion of visitor and business travel, which generates overnight lodging for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough. The Visitors Bureau is directly responsible for travel and tourism “product awareness” to visitors.

Millions of direct and indirect revenue and taxes are generated into the state and local economy due to the marketing efforts of visitor bureaus across North Carolina, including the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau.

The bureau’s marketing initiatives typically are achieved through the following:

• Trade association marketplaces { Orange County Bus Wrap w e lc o m e s v i s i to r s }

• Advertising

6 C H a p e l H i l l /O r a n g e C o u n t y V i s i to r s B u r e au

• Distribution of promotional and collateral material

• Direct sales • Hosting familiarization tours and other hospitality functions.

• Give meeting planners access to a wide range of services within Orange County, including but not limited to, arranging site inspections, checking hotel and meeting space availability, and linking meeting planners to expert local service providers.

The target decision maker of the marketing initiative is not typically a resident in the community. Most often, if the visitor is going to spend the night in a hotel, they are from at least 50 miles away.

Therefore, the marketing activity usually takes place or is directed outside the convention and visitor bureau’s community.

The Visitors Bureau is funded by hotel occupancy taxes.

{ H o s p i ta l i t y B u s To u r i n J u n e 2 0 1 8 }

Sculpture in the Garden September 17–December 10 29th annual juried outdoor sculpture event showcasing over 40 works of North Carolina sculptors and highlighting the natural interplay between fine art and garden finery. Free and open to the public at the North Carolina Botanical Garden at 100 Old Mason Farm Road. http://ncbg.unc.edu

20th Carrboro Music Festival september 23, 1–4 pm & 8:30 PM september 24, 1–11 pm Opens with music on Carrboro Town Commons and Cat’s Cradle. Daylong free festival with over 200 performing acts at 25+ indoor and outdoor venues. All types of music, all over town. Also food, crafts, nonprofit vendors and shuttle service.

Festifall October 1, Noon–6 PM Chapel Hill’s 45th annual Festifall Art Festival showcases handmade artworks along with live music, dance, interactive activities for children and more on West Franklin Street. Free. www.chapelhillfestifall.com

www.carrboromusicfestival.com

TerraVITA Food & Drink Festival october 18–21

Yep Roc Records 20th Anniversary october 19–21

This Chapel Hill-based festival offers exceptional dinners, tasting events, after parties, chef demos and “Sustainable Classroom” educational experiences.

Named a “Top 10 Southern Food Festival You Need to Taste.” For tickets and details on the 8th annual “Can’t Miss Foodie Event,” visit site below.

Yep Roc Records is turning 20 this year, and they’re throwing a party. The label is hosting a three-day music-fueled celebration in Hillsborough and Carrboro, complete with an artists lineup of the best Yep Roc has to offer. For schedule and tickets, visit site below.

www.terravitafest.com

www.yeproc.com/yr20

Cèilidh at Ayr October 21, 10 am–5 pm Celebrate Ayr Mount’s Scottish roots at this Scottish festival of music, dancing, bagpipes and drums. Also a Wee Bairns Play Area, food trucks, beer and more at Ayr Mount, 376 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough. Visit site below for info and tickets ranging from $5 to $20. http://classicalamericanhomes.org/ ceilidh-at-ayr/

VISITCHAPELHILL.ORG • 888.968.2060 SPONSORED BY THE CHAPEL HILL/ORANGE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

orange county, north carolina

neighborhoods CHAPEL HILL • CARRBORO • HILLSBOROUGH

2018–2019

including Cedar Grove • Calvander • White Cross • Efland Lake Orange • Lake Hogan Farms • Hurdle Mills • Old 86 w w w. v i s i t c h a p e l h i l l . o r g Farmers’ Markets • Art Walks • Visitor Resources

2 0 17–2 0 1 8 A n n ua l R e p o rt 7

Visitors Bureau Mission

THIS PLACE IS ALWAYS HAPPENING

CHAPEL HILL, HILLSBOROUGH & CARRBORO EVENTS

{ Co n n e c t M a r k e t p l ac e i n N e w O r l e a n s , LA }

Meetings & Sales Results

Meeting & Events SALES Sales Numbers

IT’S ALWAYS

WEDDING

July 2017–June 2018

SEASON

38 Bookings

HERE!

1,996 room nights

HISTORIC MOOREfIELdS, HILLSBOROUGH

$778,447 Estimated Spending 74 Sales Leads generated

Booking by Market 13% 13%

Sports Social Events Weddings

34%

Corporate & Business Conference & Meetings

in 2017–18

Connect Marketplace – August 2017 Small Market Meetings – September 2017 Primetime Business Expo – August 2017 Destination Southeast – December 2017

{ L u n c h a n d L e a r n o n UN C C a m p u s }

We’ll even help you plan it at no charge. Simply contact the Orange County Visitors Bureau’s wedding coordinator, Marlene Barbera, at mbarbera@visitchapelhill.org or 919-245-4323 to plan an event that’s as unique as your love.

WWW.VISITCHAPELHILL.ORG

ORANGE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

Ask Marlene

40%

Trade Shows

With its beautiful weather, welcoming people, and venues ranging from upscale to rustic, Orange County invites couples to host the wedding of their dreams here in our communities.

Sales Director Marlene Barbera worked with WCHL Radio/Chapelboro to begin a local “Ask the Expert Campaign” designed to answer questions surrounding holding events, conferences, meetings, weddings and much more in Orange County, NC. Also the Ask Marlene campaign highlighted the free meeting services that the Bureau Sales Department offers.

The Bureau coordinated a Group Visitors Marketing campaign, Orange County Weddings, which was designed to promote and grow Chapel Hill and Orange County, NC as a wedding destination. The campaign included print and social media ads, an online newsletter highlighting Orange County as a wedding destination, online wedding blogs, wedding resources pages on VisitChapelHill.org, radio ads and a printed wedding resources rack card.

March Sales Blitz The Visitors Bureau coordinated a Sales Blitz on UNC’s campus to invite meeting planners to a lunch and to learn about area venues and local meeting space options. Over 120 planners attended the March Madness Lunch and Learn event at the Great Hall in the Student Union on the UNC campus in March 2018 where local hotels and venues showcased their properties.

8 C H a p e l H i l l /O r a n g e C o u n t y V i s i to r s B u r e au

Food-Seen by Felicia Perry Photography

Spotlight on the

{ Fa l l F ê t e }

Stacey Sprenz { Fa l l F ê t e }

Eric Waters

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau is proud to be a signature sponsor of TerraVita.

TerraVita Festival

TerraVita Food & Drink Festival

{ C h e f s ( L to R ) Wa lt e r R oya l , C o l i n B e d f o r d, C a r l a H a l l , J u s t i n B u r d e t t, J oy C r u m p, B i l l S m i t h , S e a n F ow l e r at t h e Ed n a L e w i s T r i b u t e D i n n e r }

TerraVita Food & Drink Festival first began in our Chapel Hill communities in 2010, when food advocate Colleen Minton, launched the festival and began forming partnerships to build one of the best foodie events in a community known for its rich agricultural heritage.

It didn’t take long for TerraVita to be named one of the “10 Southern Food Festivals You Need to Taste” by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and “4 Can’t Miss Southern Food Festivals” by PeterGreenberg.com. It earned a reputation as an iconic culinary event in the Southeast because of its commitment to sustainable food and drink. The event brings together award-winning chefs, authors, producers and farmers in unique settings and combinations to talk about issues—and celebrate the land.

The Chapel Hill, NC-based festival may be best known for its “Sustainable Classroom” educational experiences featuring renowned chefs, authors and national media.

TerraVita strives to produce a zero waste event. In 2018, all events combined produced nearly 3,000 pounds of waste with all composted or recycled except for 40 pounds of trash, resulting in 98.6% waste diversion.

Each year, TerraVita works closely with community nonprofits to give back.

Mark your calendar for the 10th Annual TerraVita Food & Drink Festival #TerraVita2019 / October 16–19, 2019

We thank Colleen Minton and team for making this a signature event in Chapel Hill and Carrboro: one that celebrates what this leading college community is all about: authors, chefs, beverage experts and industry luminaries coming together to offer insight about topics that make you think more about where your food and drink come from and what you can do to positively influence the world around you.

We hope you’ll consider taking a look at TerraVita, as a future partner, guest and contributor to this important tourism event.

Log on here for more information:

www.terravitafest.com 2 0 17–2 0 1 8 A n n ua l R e p o rt 9

Partnerships & Collaborations Community Partnerships & Collaborations in Orange County

Partnerships

In this fiscal year, the Visitors Bureau partnered with numerous community and state groups in various events and promotions. Here’s just some of the highlights from 2017–18: • Visitors Bureau represented on the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Board whose mission is to maintain, enhance and promote downtown as the social, cultural, and spiritual center of Chapel Hill through economic development. Bureau also participates in the 2nd Friday Artwalk.

• Partnerships with the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce and Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce in supporting community events, efforts and programs.

• Service on the East Chapel Hill Rotary.

• Agritourism partnership resulting in Orange County Farms App.

Love your local farms?

Now you can stay connected with them with the ANGE COUNTY OR

APP Find farmers’ markets, local goods, agricultural events and much more. Immerse yourself in the bounty of farms, food and farmers with our app for IOS or Android at VISITNCFARMS.

• Area event support included TerraVita Food & Drink Festival, 2nd annual LightUp Chapel Hill Lantern Festival, POLO Charity Classic, Bluegrass Festival, SECU Golf Tournament, The ArtsCenter programming and the Friday Center Annenberg Space for Photography’s Refugee exhibit.

• Worked with Triangle area CVBs on launch of new Triangle Campus Guide website.

• Visitors Bureau was a sponsor of the 2017 UNC Black Alumni Reunion Dinner at the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel.

• Support for MLK University Planning Community Corp for activities during MLK Week on the UNC campus in January 2018.

• Sponsorship for North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Awards Gala.

• Continued with Vitamin O promotion highlighting Orange County Residents and their unique talents in the community.

• Presented information to individuals at the NC Call Center (1-800-VISITNC) housed at the NC Women’s Correctional Facility in Raleigh.

• Funder with the 2017–18 North Carolina High School Athletic Association to keep championship events including basketball and football held in Chapel Hill.

• Partner with Tar Heel Sports Marketing to bring more visitors to UNC Athletic events throughout the year.

1 0 C H a p e l H i l l /O r a n g e C o u n t y V i s i to r s B u r e au

Bureau’s Travel & Tourism-Related Memberships • US Travel Association • Destinations International • North Carolina Travel Industry Association

• Travel Council of North Carolina • North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association

• North American Travel Journalists Association

{ AC C h a p e l H i l l H ot e l D ow n tow n o p e n e d December 2017 }

Financials

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau is funded through the Hotel Occupancy Taxes collected by Orange County, NC. The Visitors Bureau received an annual financial audit which highlights our county’s internal control policies, an exceptional year in travel and tourism, and prudent use of funds.

revenues Occupancy Tax Fund Balance State Arts Grant Investment Earnings Town of Chapel Hill Support Total Revenues:

$1,437,747

69%

$322,588

15%

$36,913

2%

$6,515

1%

$293,755

13%

Financials

Revenues and Expenditures | 2017–2018 town of chapel hill support investment earnings 1%

13%

state arts 2% grant

fund balance

15%

69%

$2,097,518

occupancy tax

expenditures Sales & Marketing

$1,060,868

55%

Recurring Capital

$2,600

1%

$174,673

9%

Arts Commission Operations Operations/Administration

$204,915

10%

Personnel Services

$493,375

25%

Total Expenditures

$1,936,431

personnel services 25%

operations/ administration

55%

10%

arts commission operations

9% sales & marketing 1% recurring capital

2 0 17–2 0 1 8 A n n ua l R e p o rt 11

Communications

Nancy Pierce

{ At t e n d i n g V i s i t N C ’ s C h a r lot t e M e d i a M i s s i o n i n Au g u s t 2 0 1 7 }

Public & Media Relations, Communications & Social Media The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau tells the story of our destination to garner positive publicity for the community while promoting the amenities of the community. Targeted, positive media exposure helps to generate consumer interest. The Visitors Bureau hosted and or provided press materials to 28 travel writers and editors representing international, national and regional media visiting Orange County. This included writers attending the 8th Annual TerraVita Food & Drink Festival. The communications director hosted 6 writers, bloggers and digital influencers in direct multi-day press trips.

• Communications staff attended and/or provided destination materials and story ideas at four regional and national media missions.

• Sent 21 press releases and 41 blog stories were posted on website.

• Directly assisted 186 journalists on their Orange County stories during the year.

• 386 Orange County editorial stories appeared

AWARDS

Brittany Butterworth Photography

The Visitors Bureau received two Bronze Awards in the 2017 NATJA Travel Media Awards Competition.

The 2017 Official Visitors Guide and the Slice of Orange Facebook Video Series were recognized by the North American Travel Journalists Association.

{ Tina Fuller and Laurie Paolicelli receive awards }

Visitors Bureau received two Destination Marketing Achievement Awards at the 2018 NC Tourism Leadership Conference hosted by the North Carolina Travel Industry Association. The Visitors Bureau won the Platinum Award for Community Stakeholder Relations for the Orange County, North Carolina Neighborhoods Guide which spotlights 24 communities and areas of the county that hold appeal to visitors already here, relocating families, retirees and business investors. A Gold Award recognized the Group Visitors Marketing campaign, Orange County Weddings, which was designed to promote and grow Chapel Hill and Orange County, NC as a wedding destination.

12 C H a p e l H i l l /O r a n g e C o u n t y V i s i to r s B u r e au

Sample of Destination Media Stories appearing in 2017–18 Travel + Leisure, 8 Can’t Miss Points of Interest in North Carolina Includes Carrboro Southern Living, Chapel Hill is Among 15 Southern Cities All Food Lovers Should Visit Now Conde Nast Traveler, Chapel Hill is Among the 15 Best College Towns in the U.S. Washington Post, There’s More in Chapel Hill Than the Tar Heels, A Family Finds Jetsetter Travel Magazine, Chapel Hill Among Best College Towns in the US The Guardian, UK, Chapel Hill is Among The Best Small Towns And Cities In The U.S. VacationIdea – Dream Vacation Magazine, Chapel Hill Among 25 Best Places To Visit In North Carolina USA Today, January 2018 Roundup: The Hottest New Hotels Includes AC Hotel Downtown Chapel Hill Small Market Meetings Magazine, Southern School Spirit features Chapel Hill Charleston WV Home and Living Magazine, Weekend Traveler Carrboro, NC Piedmont Parent, 15 Must-Visit Small Towns in North Carolina Includes Hillsborough Winston-Salem Journal Spark Magazine, Tar Heel Tripping (Daytrip to Chapel Hill) Southern Living, Chapel Hill is on Southern Living’s List of The South’s Prettiest Cities 2018 TripAdvisor.com, 16 Great Towns to Visit in 2018 includes Chapel Hill, NC according to TripAdvisor.com RewardExpert.com, Chapel Hill is 2017’s #2 Best American Foodie Town in South Atlantic and #3 Nationwide

{ Wa s h i n g to n D C T r av e l B lo g g e r A n g e l i c Ta l a n ( L ) v i s i t s C h a p e l H i l l w i t h fa m i ly i n S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 7 }

Communications

On-line Marketing & Social Media

W e e k ly O r a n g e S l i c e s N e ws l e t t e r b e g a n i n F e b r ua ry 2 0 1 8

V i s i tc h a p e l h i l l .o r g

Increase of 2,273 likes and followers in 2017–18

Fac e b o o k

Twitter

I n s tag r a m

visitchapelhill

@visitchapelhill

@visitchapelhill 2 0 17–2 0 1 8 A n n ua l R e p o rt 13

{ LIGHTUP C h a p e l H i l l }

A Look Ahead

A look Ahead

Orange County Tourism: Hopes for the Future Orange County continues to be a vibrant and progressive community that is action oriented with an eye to the future and an understanding of the past.

The beauty of our region, with its historic university and lively downtowns, beautiful tree-lined streets and artistic vibe continues to attract people throughout the country as a place to visit and live; learn and give back.

Our continuing challenge is to maintain, and in some cases improve, the quality of the visitor amenities we have today.

The board of the Chapel Hill/ Orange County Visitors Bureau offers a snapshot of what has surfaced from discussions on local tourism: and some examples of potential opportunities that the board continues to address: Public Meeting Space—what enhancements should occur to make our county’s public meeting space more efficient and beneficial in terms of increased tourism?

Youth Sports—we know we are a highly desirable site for youth and amateur sporting events, but do we need more facilities? What would have to happen to increase the number of events we can host

Board of Directors 2017–18 (including representative organizations)

and attendees drawn here for tournaments?

Cultural events—what would we have to do to create, support and enhance events of all types to promote them as opportunities for more overnight visitor stays?

Destination development—do we need to create something new to drive tourism? A new attraction, activity, facility?

The board of the Chapel Hill/ Orange County Visitors Bureau continues to study and work towards answers surrounding these key questions on the future of Orange County’s tourism industry.

ORANGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Anthony Carey, Chair, Orange County Economic Development Commission

Annette Stone, Town of Carrboro EDC, Ex-Officio member

Aaron Bachenheimer, University of North Carolina

Andrew Strickland, Orange County Hotels

Penny Rich, Vice Chair

Mark Bell, Town of Hillsborough

Jeffrey Strickler, Alliance for Historic Hillsborough

Barry Jacobs

Meg McGurk, Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, Ex-Officio member

Mark Marcoplos

Dr. Rachel Schaevitz, Town of Chapel Hill Kayla Demsey, North Carolina High School Athletic Association Tim Hoke, Liaison for Orange County Arts Commission Lydia Lavelle, Town of Carrboro David Brooks, Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce Penny Rich, Board of Orange County Commissioners

Lee Storrow, Town of Chapel Hill Economic Development Commission, Ex-Officio member Rosemary Waldorf, Chapel HillCarrboro Chamber of Commerce Others who served during part of the fiscal year George Cianciolo, Town of Chapel Hill

Mark Sherburne, Orange County Hotels

14 C H a p e l H i l l /O r a n g e C o u n t y V i s i to r s B u r e au

Mark Dorosin, Chair Mia Day Burroughs Earl McKee Renee Price Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager

Chapel Hill/Orange County

The Visitors Center

VISITORS BUREAU OUR STAFF Laurie Paolicelli, Executive Director Marlene Barbera, Sales Director Patty Griffin, Communications Director Tina Fuller, Website/Social Media Coordinator Allison Chambers, Administrative Assistant Susan Rice, Visitor Services Andrea Riley, Visitors Services, Saturday

VISITORs CENTER HOURS Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

501 West Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Toll Free: (888) 968-2060 Phone: (919) 245-4320 Fax: (919) 968-2062 E-mail: info@visitchapelhill.org

www.visitchapelhill.org Twitter: @visitchapelhill Facebook: visitchapelhill Instagram: @visitchapelhill { V i s i to r s C e n t e r }

2 0 17–2 0 1 8 A n n ua l R e p o rt 15

Steven Whitsitt

Orange County, NC: a premier place to visit and conference destination

www.visitchapelhill.org

{ C a r r b o r o O p e n S t r e e t s F e s t i va l }