Statesville Tourism Development Authority October 20, 2026 Meeting Agenda

Statesville Tourism Development Authority

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 9:00–10:00 AM

Third Floor, Statesville City Hall

AGENDA

1. Call to Order

Jimmy “Jay” Patel, Chair

2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

ACTION

3. Financial Report

September Financial Report Deferred

Purpose: INFORMATION

COS Finance is updating monthly activity to include credit card transactions. Cindy Sutton will complete the required coding this week; no financial statements are presented for review or approval.

4. Destination Services Update

John Stum, Destination Services Manager

ConventionSouth Visit | Itinerary and partner coordination

Purpose: INFORMATION

5. Executive Director’s FY2027 Q1 Progress & Performance Report

Cindy Sutton, Executive Director

Reporting Period: July 1–September 30, 2026

Purpose: PRESENTATION / DISCUSSION

A comprehensive review of first-quarter accomplishments, destination marketing performance, lodging trends, partnerships and strategic opportunities.

Report Themes

• Marketing | Advertising investment, campaign performance, social media growth and destination storytelling
• Visitation | Website engagement, visitor-planning activity, walking tours, local business connections and destination-development partnerships
• Lodging | Hotel and short-term rental performance, market comparisons, occupancy-tax considerations and opportunities to increase overnight stays
• Opportunity | Occupancy-tax modernization, funding and incentives, group travel development and strategies to capture more visitor spending

Early FY2027 Q2 Progress Preview

• Carolina BalloonFest destination visibility and reported hotel demand
• ConventionSouth 2026 Readers’ Choice Award recognition
• Business North Carolina Tourism Roundtable participation and anticipated November publication
• Potential 2027 Carolina BalloonFest Stay & Play packages and transportation partnerships

6. Special Presentation

Hindu Heritage Month

Purpose: PROCLAMATION

Presenter: Mayor Doug Hendrix

7. Upcoming Dates / Looking Ahead

October 21–23 | Familiarization Tour

October 22 | City Council Retreat

October 26–28 | U.S. Civil Rights Trail Connectivity Conference, Memphis

November 24 | Tentative Statesville TDA Board Meeting, pending member availability

Purpose: DISCUSSION / ACTION

8. Board Member Comments

9. Adjournment

ACTION