CVB elects new officers
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The Highland County Convention and Visitors Bureau elected new officers, discussed possible bureau appointments, and development plans for the organization and the Highland County community during their first meeting of 2012.
Held in the office of the Highland County Board of Commissioners, the CVB discussed changes in its current membership.
Secretary/treasurer Kathryn Hapner said that each member is appointed or volunteers for a three-year term, and must either live, work or have some significant tie to Highland County.
The commissioners have a representative, the mayor of Hillsboro appoints a representative, and Greenfield and the Rocky Fork Lake area have representation. Typically, there is a representative for Lynchburg and Leesburg, according to Hapner.
She said that the full board is comprised of nine members, but there has not been a full board for some time.
Kirby Ellison, a former employee of the city of Hillsboro, had been appointed to serve by former mayor Dick Zink. Ellison was also the board president. CVB Director Bob Lambert said that new Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings has indicated that a new representative will be appointed by the board's next meeting.
The county is represented by Commissioner Tom Horst, Greenfield is represented by city manager Betty Bishop, and Sharon Hughes represents the lake area.
In addition to Hapner, Hillsboro business owner Brent Huffman is also on the board. Lambert said that he is checking with other members to see if they still wish to continue serving.
Horst said that anyone interested in serving can contact him at the Highland County commissioners office at (937) 393-1911.
Membership to the board may be contingent on meeting various qualifications as set by the Ohio Revised Code.
With questions regarding current and potential new members, it was discussed whether or not the election of officers should be put off until a later meeting.
Hapner said that it would probably be beneficial to have senior members in the role of officers, rather than new members, and the other members agreed.
Horst was nominated as president. He said that he would accept the nomination, "but I'll have to have a strong vice president." Bishop said that she felt the work the CVB was doing was important for the future of the county, and she volunteered. Hapner was nominated to maintain her role as secretary/treasurer. All officers were elected by a unanimous vote of the board.
Lambert reported that he had recently spoken to the Hillsboro City Council, about the need for the city to increase its contribution to the CVB and visitor promotion and the need for a convention center in Highland County.
"There was no immediate action, but I will speak with the finance committee and work with the new city administration to secure more funding and assistance with grants for a convention center. There are two good locations in Hillsboro, and may be other locations in Greenfield to consider."
Lambert said he did not want to immediately say what locations he was
considering.
It was asked if Highland County would be eligible for more grants following the establishment of a convention center. Lambert and Hapner said that there was a potential.
However, Hapner, who is an attorney, said that the Ohio Revised Code
provides a separate set of requirements and regulations that a CVB must
follow if they are also operating a convention center.
"If we decide to go in that direction, it will take a lot more from all of us to make sure that happens," Hapner said.
Lambert said, "I'm certain we can rise to the challenge. We need to be
prepared so we're not surprised, as we become a destination, for things like green energy, and historic preservation. We're the center of it. We need to have a convention center."
In other business:
• Lambert said that meetings were continuing weekly on the planning of
the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, slated for June.
• The English Springer Spaniel Field Trials will be held in Highland County in 2013, Lambert reported. "This is a high-profile/cost event and will be a real asset to our future promotional efforts. This is in the initial planning stages, with more to follow," he said.
The Highland County Convention and Visitors Bureau elected new officers, discussed possible bureau appointments, and development plans for the organization and the Highland County community during their first meeting of 2012.
Held in the office of the Highland County Board of Commissioners, the CVB discussed changes in its current membership.
Secretary/treasurer Kathryn Hapner said that each member is appointed or volunteers for a three-year term, and must either live, work or have some significant tie to Highland County.
The commissioners have a representative, the mayor of Hillsboro appoints a representative, and Greenfield and the Rocky Fork Lake area have representation. Typically, there is a representative for Lynchburg and Leesburg, according to Hapner.
She said that the full board is comprised of nine members, but there has not been a full board for some time.
Kirby Ellison, a former employee of the city of Hillsboro, had been appointed to serve by former mayor Dick Zink. Ellison was also the board president. CVB Director Bob Lambert said that new Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings has indicated that a new representative will be appointed by the board's next meeting.
The county is represented by Commissioner Tom Horst, Greenfield is represented by city manager Betty Bishop, and Sharon Hughes represents the lake area.
In addition to Hapner, Hillsboro business owner Brent Huffman is also on the board. Lambert said that he is checking with other members to see if they still wish to continue serving.
Horst said that anyone interested in serving can contact him at the Highland County commissioners office at (937) 393-1911.
Membership to the board may be contingent on meeting various qualifications as set by the Ohio Revised Code.
With questions regarding current and potential new members, it was discussed whether or not the election of officers should be put off until a later meeting.
Hapner said that it would probably be beneficial to have senior members in the role of officers, rather than new members, and the other members agreed.
Horst was nominated as president. He said that he would accept the nomination, "but I'll have to have a strong vice president." Bishop said that she felt the work the CVB was doing was important for the future of the county, and she volunteered. Hapner was nominated to maintain her role as secretary/treasurer. All officers were elected by a unanimous vote of the board.
Lambert reported that he had recently spoken to the Hillsboro City Council, about the need for the city to increase its contribution to the CVB and visitor promotion and the need for a convention center in Highland County.
"There was no immediate action, but I will speak with the finance committee and work with the new city administration to secure more funding and assistance with grants for a convention center. There are two good locations in Hillsboro, and may be other locations in Greenfield to consider."
Lambert said he did not want to immediately say what locations he was
considering.
It was asked if Highland County would be eligible for more grants following the establishment of a convention center. Lambert and Hapner said that there was a potential.
However, Hapner, who is an attorney, said that the Ohio Revised Code
provides a separate set of requirements and regulations that a CVB must
follow if they are also operating a convention center.
"If we decide to go in that direction, it will take a lot more from all of us to make sure that happens," Hapner said.
Lambert said, "I'm certain we can rise to the challenge. We need to be
prepared so we're not surprised, as we become a destination, for things like green energy, and historic preservation. We're the center of it. We need to have a convention center."
In other business:
• Lambert said that meetings were continuing weekly on the planning of
the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, slated for June.
• The English Springer Spaniel Field Trials will be held in Highland County in 2013, Lambert reported. "This is a high-profile/cost event and will be a real asset to our future promotional efforts. This is in the initial planning stages, with more to follow," he said.