March Meeting Minutes 2023
Houma Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Regular Schedule Meeting Minutes
March 23, 2023
I. Board and Staff Member Attendance
Present: Staff:
Julie Falgout – Chair Sondra Corbitt
Joshua Ellender – Vice Chair Lindsey Loupe
William Bisland – Treasurer/Secretary
Traci S. Hawthorne
Gary Williams Sr. Board Absent:
Judy Smart Cheri Blanchard
Margie Scoby
Yvonne Breaux-Jones
II. Meeting call to order: J. Falgout called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m.
III. Roll Call: Quorum was present.
IV. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: W. Bisland led the board in the Invocation. J. Falgout led the board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
V. Public to be heard: Ashley Barahona provided an overview of the Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence 5K Run and Food Fest Sponsorship. Jonathan Foret provided an overview of the Louisiana Blackberry Festival Sponsorship. Randy Hawthrone and team provided an overview of May the 4th Be With You Sponsorship. Y. Jones entered the meeting at 8:42 a.m. Ashley Barahona, Jonathan Foret, Randy Hawthrone, and team exited the meeting at 9:09 a.m.
VI. Approval of December 2022 Financials: The financial statements, including the budget to actual comparison for the general fund, for the month of December 2022 were presented by W. Bisland. W. Bisland moved to approve the December 2022 Financials. Seconded by: J. Ellender. Motion passed.
VII. Approval of January 2023 Financials: The financial statements, including the budget to actual comparison for the general fund, for the month of January 2023 were presented by W. Bisland. W. Bisland moved to approve the January 2023 Financials. Seconded by: J. Ellender. Motion passed.
VIII. Approval of February 2023 Minutes: W. Bisland presented the February 2023 minutes. J. Ellender moved to approve February’s Minutes. Seconded by: J. Smart. Motion passed.
IX. Sponsorship Application TFAE Run for Excellence: S. Corbitt provided an overview. W. Bisland moved to approve TFAE Run for Excellence for $2,500.00. Seconded by: T. Hawthrone. Motion passed.
X. Product Development Application Finding Our Roots African American Mobile Museum: M. Scoby provided an overview. W. Bisland moved to approve the Finding Our Roots African American Mobile Museum for $17,500.00. Seconded by: Y. Jones. M. Scoby and G. Williams abstained. Motion passed.
XI. Product Development Application May the 4th Be With You: S. Corbitt provided an overview. J. Ellender moved to approve May the 4th Be With You for $5,000.00. Seconded by: J. Smart. T. Hawthrone abstained. Motion passed.
XII. Product Development Application Louisiana Blackberry Festival: S. Corbitt provided an
overview. J. Smart moved to approve the Louisiana Blackberry Festival for $5,000.00. Seconded by: W. Bisland. Motion passed.
XIII. Executive Director’s Report: S. Corbitt provided the monthly report. Discussion: Occupancy rates, hotel updates, Keep Louisiana Beautiful Grant, La Petit Theatre, Louisiana Fisheries Summit, Ramada Inn update, Sugar Bowl Motel update, Houma Restoration Board update, Houma Downtown Development Corporation update, upcoming travel plans, Visitor Center updates, Marketing and Sales updates, Staff updates, and Datafy reporting.
XIV. Board Announcements: Bayou Terrebonne Distillery Cajun French lessons, White Boot Tours, and May 10th is Nation Shrimp Day.
XV. Adjournment: J. Ellender moved to adjourn. Seconded by G. Williams. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:08 a.m
