Annual Report
I feel privileged to serve as the Chairman for the Visit Lake Norman (VLN) Board of Directors, an organization that for the last 6 years has held both my passion and my advocacy. In reflecting on Fiscal Year 2011, it was an extremely successful year for us in terms of producing visitor spending in our towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville. Yet the year also brought funding challenges, which culminated with the NC General Assembly unanimously passing House Bill 508 in June, protecting the percentage of tourism taxes VLN receives.
Last year, domestic visitors in North Carolina spent over $17.02 Billion across the state, setting a record high despite economic shortfalls, and keeping North Carolina the 6th most visited state in the nation. Those expenditures directly supported 185,500 jobs for NC residents and generated over $2.73 billion in tax revenues.* Those revenues help maintain our schools, police stations, and roads while keeping taxes lower for us, the residents.
VLN alleviated tax burdens on our communities this past year by generating $19.05 Million in direct visitor spending to our three towns. We dedicate ourselves 100% to bringing visitors that spend their dollars in our hotels, and frequent our restaurants, attractions, and retailers, generating those tax revenues that we then do not have to pay out of pocket.
As a local business owner, I am proud to be part of an organization that has consistently increased its return on investment every year that it has been in business, regardless of the economy. The theme for this year's report is how tourism truly touches many aspects of our lives. I encourage you to read through the accomplishments of this past year to see how VLN significantly impacts a diversity of different segments of business and community in our towns. ~ Randy Marion, Chairman Visit Lake Norman Board of Directors
At Visit Lake Norman, we are100% dedicated to bringing visitors into Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville that spend money in our hotels, restaurants, attractions, and retail.
We achieve our goal by seeking out and bringing in national and regional events with a 75% or higher return on overnight accommodations. We also help support the promotion and development of our existing assets and by leveraging our combined resources we ensure our visitors the most enjoyable experience possible while in our fantastic destination, and hope that they will visit often. Like Chairman Marion, I encourage you to read through this report of our last year's accomplishments to see how our achievements not only enhance our local economies, but enrich people's lives. ~ Sally Ashworth, Executive Director
*Source: NC Department of Commerce
