Leon County Accepting Tourism Grant Applications
For Signature, Special & Sports Events

The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) grant application process for the 2024-25 Signature/Emerging Signature, Special and Sports Event Grant is now open. Applications are due by Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 5 p.m. This opportunity represents the ongoing effort to promote tourism and provide financial support for events that have a history of, or show potential to, attract out-of-town visitors to the area.

Eligible event(s) must take place between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, and are required to comply with Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes, for the utilization of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds. Event grant applications are evaluated based on the historical or potential ability to attract overnight visitors, appeal to the general public, demonstrate out-of-area marketing activities, and include scheduled programming/activities during non-peak periods. Event funding levels are determined by the anticipated number of hotel room nights/overnight lodging in Leon County generated by the event.

All grant applicants must attend one of three workshops. An in-person workshop will be held on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Leon County Office of Resource Stewardship (ORS) Gathering Room, located at 1907 South Monroe Street. Two additional workshops will be conducted via Zoom on Thursday, August 8 at noon and on Tuesday, August 13 at 5 p.m. After the workshop on Aug. 2, 2024, a recording will be accessible on the Visit Tallahassee website. The workshops will include:

 
The Leon County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Grant Review Committee will review and evaluate applications and submit recommendations to the TDC for approval in September. The 2024-25 Tourism Grant Cycle Timeline (Signature/Emerging Signature, Special and Sports Events) includes the following significant dates:

July 23, 2024                           Grant Cycle Opening/Applications Available                                                           (30-day  cycle)

Aug. 2 at 11 a.m.                     Workshop (In-Person)

Aug. 8 at noon                         Workshop (Virtual via Zoom)

Aug. 13 at 5 p.m.                     Workshop (Virtual via Zoom)

Aug. 22 at 5 p.m.                     Applications Due / Application Cycle Closes

Sept. 10 Time TBD                  TDC Grant Review Committee Public Meeting
                                                 *Applicants Strongly Encouraged to Attend*

September 12                         Review & Final Approval by TDC
 
For more information on the Leon County Tourism Grant Program, click here or contact Katie Kole at 850-606-2324 or Katie.Kole@VisitTallahassee.com.
 

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About The Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee:  The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) is the official destination marketing organization charged with marketing Tallahassee-Leon County as a premier leisure, business and sports destination through direct sales, advertising, public relations, sports and visitor services. The Capital of Cross Country, Tallahassee-Leon County is home to the internationally recognized cross country course at Apalachee Regional Park, which will serve as the host for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships. In 2023 Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $1.25 Billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 12,790 people employed in our community in the tourism & hospitality industry. For more information, go to VisitTallahassee.com or call toll free (800) 628-2866. Engage with Visit Tallahassee on Facebook and Instagram or visit us at the Leon County Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop located at 414 E. Bloxham Street, Suite 115 , Tallahassee, FL 32301.