(Joplin, MO) – The Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau (JCVB) announced that the guidelines and application for the Fiscal Year 2023 Event Marketing Grants is now available. These grants are designed to enrich the marketing reach of local events and attractions with the intention of increasing the number of guests visiting Joplin.
Grants are to be completed, along with all support documentation, and returned to the JCVB no later than 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 7.
Eligibility requirements, guidelines, and the application are available on the JCVB’s website, here; at the JCVB office, which is located at 602 S. Main Street on the first floor of City Hall; or by calling Patrick Tuttle at 417.625.4789.
Through its fiscal year budget, the JCVB allocates $110,000 for their grant programs. The JCVB Advisory Board will meet in July to determine how the FY23 funds will be distributed. During the board’s review, applicants will be invited to make a short presentation detailing their marketing plans/needs in support of their application. The Advisory Board forwards their recommendations to the Joplin City Council for final approval and adoption into next year’s budget.
Events can submit a request for up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
Per Patrick Tuttle, JCVB Director, “The best use of these funds, by either an event or an attraction, is to expand their marketing reach into markets they may not otherwise be able to reach.” Tuttle concluded, “Whether for an event or attraction, the stronger applicants will be those who show the ability to attract visitors from 70+ miles (one-way) outside of Joplin and generate an overnight stay or retain a visitor in the area for three hours or greater.”
Mandatory Pre-Application Meeting:
Whether an organization has applied or receives a JCVB grant in the past, every organization submitting a FY2020 grant application must attend one mandatory Pre-Application Meeting. This will give the organization insight into the JCVB efforts of promotion Joplin as a tourism destination and explain changes that have been made to this year’s grant program.
These meetings will be held at the JCVB office at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, May 1 or at 9:00 am on Thursday, May 12.
Grant program history:
On November 7, 2000, the voters of Joplin approved a 2% increase in the gross receipts tax on hotel and motel lodging accommodations. Council Bill No. 2000-048 directs the JCVB Advisory Board to establish a procedure for annually recommending to the City Manager and City Council the appropriation of these funds. In recommending the utilization of these funds, the Advisory Board shall consider their most effective use for marketing sports events, entryway beautification, special events, festivals, celebrations and other related activities in Joplin designed to promote the city and its features as a destination for outside visitors and tourists.
The City Council shall, after public hearing held prior to the adoption of the budget, adopt an ordinance to allocate funds among qualifying applicants. Final allocation will be based upon the Council’s determination as to the most effective use of funds to promote tourism, conventions and related activities in Joplin.
Reference:
Patrick Tuttle, Director
Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau
417.625.4789
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