June Meeting Notes

June Meeting Notes - 6/30/09

Introduction - Kip Damrow stresses the need to tighten up the focus and logistics of the association as we stand. Suggestions - a newly formed board to review our bi-laws and update them. Also possible switch to bi-monthly meetings. This is the sixth month and we are “spinning our wheels”.

Tom Jones - Wilmington Today - addresses “What is our goal?” Answer - Bring more tourism in with the shifting economy. One way to accomplish this, and a key program, is the Bring it Home Campaign, which seeks out key Civic Leaders who can bring their groups and associations to Wilmington instead of elsewhere.

What's new on the tourism marketing scene?

Steve Mitchum - Pace Communications - addressed changes to a familiar publication:
“Come and Play” Visitor’s Guide - Hiring local writers to expand on the guide with a goal to create an emotional attraction rather than just give info. Will include dining, attractions, and local businesses. Visually has this destination “jump off the page”. Supporting advertisers that will be able to get a positive ROI on investment.

Kim Hufham - Cape Fear CVB - adds to Steve Mitchum's presentation and elaborates on CVB status:
*CVB is partnering with Pace Communications as the state budget was cut. She asks that everyone consider this publication in their advertising budgets. CVB will deliver these books to the lodging sites that want them after July 1.

*The fiscal budget for the CVB has been a “roller coaster”. While the budget was cut $300,000 from last year’s figures, none of these cuts were taken out of advertising. The CVB stresses the importance of advertising in local publications!!

*The CVB will have a new marketing person joining the team on the Convention side, and Kim feels that this will be beneficial in “becoming a proactive marketing team rather than reactive.” She anticipates exciting things coming out of the sales department in the coming year. Participating in the Bring it Home Campaign and promoting sports groups are goals of the CVB as well.

How can we continue to increase our exposure?

Dan Burke - Cape Fear Tours -
SEO Optimization increases by linking sites together. By joining networking sites you increase traffic to your primary site. www.capefeartours.com For example, Children’s Museum has a link website for partners. Because of all of the cross promotional links, if you google Children and Wilmington, the Wilmington Childrens Museum comes up first.

Budget-Minded:

Monique Baker - Battleship NC - Marketing Co-op Opportunities - Do we want her to bring in Publishers, etc. ?

Tom Jones - Wilmington Today will do a drop down rate for any marketing we’d like to do.

New Member & Local Business:

Jack Fryar - Dram Tree Historical Tours - Jack is an expert on and writes books about the history of the lower Cape Fear Coast. Boat Tours of the area available, visit www.dramtreebooks.com/tours for more information.

Update from Monique- Pender County Blueberry Festival was a huge success. The Spot Festival will take place in September, for more information visit http://www.ncspotfestival.com/


ACTION POINTS!!
*The CVB has a twitter, you can become a follower.
ACTION POINT - Join Twitter!! Become a follower - twitter.com@visitcapefearnc
ACTION POINT- Join our Blog! www.wilmhospitality.blogspot.com
ACTION POINT - Check out Dan Burke’s Website, www.capefeartours.com, up and running in the Fall of 2009!!
ACTION POINT - Respond to the CVB Surveys as they come out, as this will help determine occupancy stats and needs in the area.
ACTION POINT - If you have any suggestions for inclusions and ways to make the Come and Play book better, please contact Steve Mitchum.

Looking Ahead:

Bi-law Committee will get together and dissect by no later than July 24th.

Our next and largest meeting will take place on August 18th at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, located in the Riverside Hilton Downtown Wilmington.

**Ruth’s Chris has combatted the slowing economy by starting a summer classics menu and implementing different marketing ideas like live music and 1/2 price bottles of wine