North Carolina Coast Host Meeting
Friday, January 22, 2010
Commerce Center
Onslow County

Members: Paige Somervell, Gary Curry, Rob Wells, Tarshi McCoy, Karen Pierson, Michelle Voelpel, Monique Baker, Theresa Carter, Elizabeth Barrow, Jennifer Haga, Leila Tabatabai, Harry Preddy, Katherine Adams, Sam Rogers, Debbie Vargas, and Melissa Riggle

Guests: Cathy Adair

Somervell asked everyone to go around room and introduced themselves and who they represented.

Meeting was started at 9:30 am by incoming Chair Somervell.

Media Partner and Annual Lunch Sponsor News & Observer did a 10-minute presentation on different online and print promotions for this year. From the quarterly Co-op insert, Big Box ad or monthly banner campaign online, to monthly travel email blasts. They have something for everyone and at a variety of prices.

Somervell went over budget – budget was changed to reflect an increase from zero to $1,200 for NC Motor Coach – Gary Curry tasked with getting recommendation letters and getting us signed up for membership at $200 with additional funds for next January Market Place in Wilmington. Also an additional $1,000 was added to Professional fees to ensure we had enough for audit (now required as a 501-c6. Members decided since we did not spend any money on regular meetings last year we would reduce to $800 from $3,000 – thus balancing budget. A vote was taken – Pierson motioned to accept budget, Vargas seconded – no discussion – vote passed unanimously.

Somervell introduced her Program of Work for 2010. She has four measurable objectives: (1) Increase Membership by 10% - 6 new organizations, (2) Increase the number of inquiries by 10%, (3) increase cooperative opportunities online & in print, and (4) increase education & training for members.

We then went through each strategy and discussed tactics –

(1) Obtain New Members – duty of Membership Committee – compile list of potential members – send out 6 letters per month until we exhaust list, implement a referral discount program to members. All were in agreement that this needed to be a priority. Financials showed we were down approximately $3,000 in Membership Dues. 11 members were delinquent, so the membership voted to take those off the books and remove from website. 3 of those were media partners – so decided to do a joint effort with marketing committee to solicit some media partners. Curry mentioned that we might be able to write off those monies as a loss on taxes.

(2) Increase Awareness of Website – duty of Website Committee – further develop and drive traffic to our website. Page views are up by 8% and visits are up 16% but bounce rate is around 50% so it would be a good idea to enhance homepage to decrease bounce rate. New directions – more online marketing, use social media to get message out, expand keyword search, prominently explain who we are by finessing our brand, research other website upgrades and continue revenue opportunities (this revenue helped off-set membership shortfall last year).

(3) Infuse Organization with Additional Revenue – duty of newly added Grant Committee – find and write grants! We will not hire anyone yet – possible find someone if need arises that would find grants to pay their salary. At this time we believe membership can funnel information to Baker and she can determine merit for Coast host.

(4) Coast Host Tours – duty of FAM Committee – develop FAMS – Wells recommended we host a travel writer FAM from Washington DC metro area. Our goal is to eventually host 3 a year, one in each region. Need to supply feedback to committee when we book anything off these FAMS – so membership sees value. Members need to know we want to do these things at Zero Cost to Tour Operators – so need to provide everything for free (meals, accommodations, and attractions). We have to be competitive with other markets!

(5) Stretch the Dollars – duty of Marketing Committee – another major priority – discussion about (1) advertising opportunities for members and (2) advertising Coast Host (3) further brand development. Two fields of thought – (1) print and online or (2) variety of media (look into radio, AAA and television-others). Discussion led to idea to send out survey (1) to get approximate advertising budget from each member to use as leverage when we are dealing with media and (2) determine where everyone else is placing emphasis in their advertising budgets and members thoughts on our priorities! So please when you see survey – please take the time to answer!

(6) Emphasize Coast Host Role as Tourism Advocate – duty of Legislative Committee –participate in initiatives that share an interest in area economic development – especially tourism, be representative at state meetings, and give members update on all issues that could positively or negatively effect our businesses.

(7) Enhance Coast Host role as Networking Organization – duty of Education/Events Committee – offer more trainings, incorporate more educational opportunities into our meetings, try to do something every other month – even if it is through webinars. Discussion about loss of attendance – economy and many might not be attending because we do not have set schedule – hard for our folks to plan without knowing when and where – so dates for meetings this year are 3rd Thursday- Thursday, April 15th in Edenton, Thursday, July 15th in Goldsboro, Thursday, October 14th in Greenville, and Thursday, January 20th in Wilmington. Please put these on your calendars for upcoming year – the more you participate –the more you get out of your membership!

(8) Strengthen Communication with members – General Board responsibilities – monthly conference calls with board and e-newsletter for members with committee progress reports, website stats, marketing opportunities, meeting dates, educational opportunities, and industry news!

Somervell then introduced new Chairs for 2010 and (12) Board Members:

Membership Committee: Melissa Riggle & Betsy Rosemann
Website Committee: Tarshi McCoy & Paige Somervell
Grant Committee: Monique Baker
FAM Tour Committee: Rob Wells
Marketing Committee: Tanya Young & Rob Wells
Legislative Committee: Allan Libby
Education/Events Committee: Elizabeth Barrow (Chair-Elect)
Financial Committee: Karen Sphar (Treasurer)
Chairman of the Board – Paige Somervell
Past Chairman – Gary Curry
Secretary – Theresa Carter

Somervell thanked host Onslow County – sponsors N&O, Wayne County Authority and invited members to grab a boxed lunch.

Adjourned at 11:32 am