HomeMy Public PortalAbout01-10-2022 Minutes Tourism Board Regular Meeting
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
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Tourism Board Minutes | 1 of 2
Minutes
Hillsborough Tourism Board
Remote regular meeting
5:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2022
Virtual meeting via YouTube Live
Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel
Present: Chair Hughes, Mark Bateman, Barney Caton, Tommy
Stann, Cathleen Turner and Victoria Pace
Absent: Vice Chair Kim Tesoro and Barry Hupp
Staff: Planning and Economic Development Manager Shannan Campbell
1. Call to order
Chair Matt Hughes called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. with six members present.
2. Agenda changes and approval
The agenda stood as presented.
3. Minutes review and approval
None.
4. Discussion/action items
A. Special project/partnership funding request-POP UP: Artistic Adventure (Orange County Theater Arts)
Blake Wilson, a theater teacher at Orange High School, addressed the board. He noted that he had forwarded
a marketing plan and a plan to incorporate Cedar Ridge High School to the board, fulfilling the board’s request
from the December meeting. He said the project would include a story booth at Cedar Ridge High School.
Also, there would be a theater ensemble, band ensemble and an afterschool ensemble. The afterschool
component will be open to students from Cedar Ridge High School. He reviewed the marketing plan that was
submitted recently.
Orange High School Band Director Aaron Noe said the band plans to advertise the special project at the Last
Fridays in March.
Wilson said he has discussed with the Hillsborough Arts Council adding a story booth at the Art Walk. He
added that he had also talked with Orange County Arts Commission and Vickie Jeffries to include the stories
of the Occaneechi.
Campbell noted that if the board wished to fund the project, the board would need to move to fund the
project and make a budget adjustment to appropriate fund balance.
Turner said she was impressed with the marketing plan and the inclusion of several groups.
Motion: Turner moved to approve the funding request, which was $4,995, and to make a budget
adjustment to appropriate fund balance. Pace seconded.
Tourism Board Minutes | 2 of 2
Campbell called a roll-call vote.
Vote: 6-0. Ayes: Members Bateman, Caton, Hughes, Pace, Stann and Turner. Nays: None.
5. Monthly reports and comments
A. Tourism staff report and Orange County Visitors Bureau updates
Campbell noted:
• Great fourth quarter. Good turnout at the holiday parade and tree lighting, and the gingerbread stroll
was awesome.
• The marketing currently included the idea that nights are brighter in Hillsborough (lights are on at the
restaurants).
• Staff was working on Valentine’s Day promotions and flyers.
• Gross receipts were up for October for prepared food and beverage tax.
Sarah Sandbeck, director of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, which operates the Hillsborough Visitors
Center, reported that the Visitors Center was once again physically open for normal operating hours. Also,
around 50 kids visited Santa there in December and dropped off letters. And the wreath stroll was well
received.
B. Board comments and updates
Turner noted lantern kits for the annual lantern walk had sold out quickly. Over 3,000 people registered for
the lantern walk. Despite the inclement weather, over 1,000 people came out.
Board members welcomed Pace, who is new to the board.
6. Adjournment
Motion: Turner moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 p.m. Caton seconded.
Vote: 6-0. Ayes: Members Bateman, Caton, Hughes, Pace, Stann and Turner. Nays: None.
Respectfully submitted,
Shannan Campbell
Economic Development Planner
Staff support to the Hillsborough Tourism Board
Approved: February 7, 2022