Leon County Accepting Tourism Grant Applications For Signature, Special & Sports Events
The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) grant application process for the 2023-24 Signature/Emerging Signature, Special and Sports Event Grant is now open. Applications are due by Friday, July 28, 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, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024, 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.
In 2024, Tallahassee/Leon County will commemorate and celebrate its 200-year anniversary. All grant applicants are strongly encouraged to incorporate the Bicentennial anniversary into their event, either through the inclusion of the Bicentennial logo or URL or by having Bicentennial programming as part of the event.
All grant applicants must attend one of three workshops. Virtual workshops will be conducted via Zoom on July 10 at 2 p.m. and July 19 at 11:30 a.m. Additionally, an in-person workshop will be held on July 13, 2023, at 4 p.m. at the Leon County/Tallahassee Visitor Information Center, located at 918 Railroad Avenue. After the workshop on July 10, a recording will be accessible on the Visit Tallahassee website. The workshops will include:
- An overview of the online grant application portal
- An explanation of the statutory requirements of the funding
- Available funding and schedule of funding levels (based on room nights)
- Peak visitor periods where events will not be considered for funding
- The grant review process and scoring criteria
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 2023-24 Tourism Grant Cycle Timeline (Signature/Emerging Signature, Special and Sports Events) includes the following significant dates:
June 28, 2023 Grant Cycle Opening/Applications Available
July 10 at 2 p.m. Workshop (Zoom) for Grant Applicants
July 13 at 4 p.m. Workshop (In-Person)
July 19 at 11:30 a.m. Workshop (Zoom) for Grant Applicants
July 28, at 5 p.m. Applications Due
August 29 at 10 a.m. TDC Grant Review Committee Public Meeting
*Applicants Strongly Encouraged to Attend*
September 14 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 2022 Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.3 million visitors who contributed $1.2 Billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 14,708 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, Twitter and Instagram or visit us at the Leon County Visitor Information Center and Gift Shop located at 918 Railroad Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32310.
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