JOHNSTON COUNTY TOURISM AUTHORITY
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Noon, Wednesday January 2, 2013
Visitors Bureau Administrative Offices

Present: M Boyette, J Godfrey, T Godwin, B Dixon, T Stewart, C McLamb, Ernie Brame

Absent: M Patel, K Brinson, P Boucher, K Henthorn
Staff: D Bailey-Taylor, A Phillips

I.          Call to Order – T Godwin

T Godwin called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm and stated that a quorum was present. With no corrections, the agenda was adopted.

II.        Chairman – T Godwin

T Godwin welcomed Ernie Brame to the meeting. E Brame will be replacing T Godwin as a representative from the Kenly Area Chamber of Commerce. Godwin noted that Brame had previously served on the board and he would be a great asset.  T Godwin asked for a motion to accept the December minutes that were previously sent to the Board.

B Dixon motioned to accept the December minutes as presented.  M Boyette seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

III.       Finances – T Godwin

December Financials

Month-to-Date Revenue for December was $52,827.25. Month-to-Date Human Resources expenses were $24,291.44. Month-to-Date Operations were $30,422.31. Net Income for the month was $-1,886.50.  Year-to-Date Revenues were $437,572.15. Year-to-Date Human Resources expenses were $145,363.01. Year-to-Date Operations were $267,171.17. Year-to-Date net income was $25,037.97. The November revenues were $44,558.60. Smithfield’s November Revenues were not reported as of the meeting time. Selma’s November Revenues were $6,203.39. Kenly’s November Revenues were $1,935.03 based on report, but revenues were not deposited as of the meeting time.  Benson’s November Revenues were $560.69. T Godwin stated that expenses were down considerably. D Bailey-Taylor stated that two towns had not reported deposits for November taxes.

IV. Special Projects Committee – T Stewart

No meeting.  D Bailey-Taylor reported each recipient had received a letter announcing the awarding of their grant and a press release has gone to local/regional media.  T Godwin and others indicated they had seen the article in the papers.

V. Marketing Committee – P Boucher

No meeting held in December. D Bailey-Taylor stated that the new Benson website would launch this week and that the bureau would began work on the Smithfield website next.

VI. Sports Council Committee – J Godfrey

No meeting held in December, but the group will meet January 16th. T Godwin noted that he would be serving on the Sports Council as the County Commissioner representative.

VII. Staff Report – D Bailey-Taylor

D Bailey-Taylor stated that the video shoots were complete and that she would be reviewing the videos with Digital P Media next week for final cut versions. B Bailey-Taylor presented the board with information about the upcoming NC Tourism Day Extravaganza that will take place February 11-12 in Raleigh. Taylor asked if any of the board members would be interested in attending. Anyone interested can get with the staff later concerning the details of the event. There will be a inauguration parade for Governor McCrory on January 12th and Johnston County will be represented on the NC Division of Tourism float with an Ava popup.

J Godfrey motioned to empower the bureau to register and attend the NC Tourism Day Extravaganza event. T Stewart seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.

D Bailey-Taylor stated that the bureau would register at the Dogwood Sponsorship level for $350 that would provide 2 tickets to the Legislative Reception, noting that additional tickets could be purchased if anyone decided to attend.

Summary of Visitor Inquiries and Distribution – December

Visitor inquiries: pieces of literature mailed: 1,666
Year to Date visitor inquiries:  18,540
Inquiry History by Brochure:  Visitor Guide 612
CPO Brochure    543

Visitor Inquiry

History by State: NC (83), TX (39), VA (34), SC (33), NY (30), ON (270), CA (27), FL (25), TN (23), IL (23)

Visitor Inquiry for Advertising Source: 
Civil War Traveler – 103
Southern Living – 231
Oprah Magazine – 295

December Bulk Distribution:

JCVB Visitors Guide – 6,330
SS Visitors Map – 2,350

New and Inactive IP Records in D3000

New Record /Opened:

Rinoconcito Larocho Restaurant – Selma
Roseli Pizza, Subs & Hot Wings – Selma
Hillcrest Farms
Wood Graphic Design

Closed: Herbal Shop - Smithfield

Google Analytics – report for December

www.johnstoncountync.org – 2,054 unique visitors, 4,074 page views
www.visitsmithfield.org – 3,866 unique visitors, 12,402 page views
www.visitkenly.org – 1,713 unique visitors, 4,203 page views
www.hamandyam.com – 239 unique visitors, 574 page views
www.visitbenson.org – 858 unique visitors, 2,006 page views
www.visitfouroaks.org – 419 unique visitors, 1,014 page views
www.visitclayton.org - 787 unique visitors, 2,123 page views
www.visitselma.org – 1,247 unique visitors, 4,013 page views
www.muscadineheritagewinetrail.com – 275 unique visits, 763 page views
www.americasmainstreetnc.com – 85 visits, 107 page views

VIII. Old Business

D Bailey-Taylor stated that research is ongoing for the Visitor Center at Carolina Premium Outlets, including Kiosk stations using I Pads and new signage provided for by the town of Smithfield.

IX. New Business

D Bailey-Taylor presented Ted Godwin with a clock for his service on the board. Taylor also made a point of order that at the February meeting the board would appoint new officers.

Meeting adjourned at 1:50 pm.

Next Meeting
Johnston County Tourism Authority
12 Noon, February 6, 2013
Visitors Bureau Administrative Offices