[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6233056,"mediaKeyId","3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef","parentId",3425377,"title","Commission approves $11,000 community-event funding for NRCHA Kimes Ranch Derby at WestWorld","audioSeconds",29,"startMs",4714000,"endMs",4743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef&start=4714&end=4743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef/thumbnail_4714000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233056/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Commission-approves-11000-community-event-funding-for-NRCHA-Kimes-Ranch-Derby-at-WestWorld","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233056-b25d63caafa07c76481869f02419ea4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161859&Signature=PzUFv~RZU-naK31-4NdeojWD5~0jj6pv--w0o38EEMYIwjAniwdFIAE8bL1IQxTwjYSLEmWjWKq0JkR5OO7EXFihGZJFAK3FI9izZvJmFdvdFS6nnnJSOwUbS0u6molCFrsiIQFVSEq0ahf5ye9F6bf4yTeoaMyqkvcYcxZodJZ2sfst3wQF7a3Uqfc1-d6kdVzmB8fnS4urAtOHTAhPskZUiVoSC4qS7Og1ysYdQRD3kGdg8WvCzODBCwggh9LE-bg456wqsIcMMi4JoHA6wmdMr9j0wdpgh-~wYd2g95mQPmUo5xoXDVrZdh8yx6R30NI77fEBrBLZ6t3AlXhpXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Scottsdale, AZ","date","2025-05-21T15:14:54.6Z","article","The Tourism Development Commission approved a staff recommendation May 20 to award $11,000 from community event funds to support the NRCHA Kimes Ranch Derby, a horse competition scheduled at WestWorld May 28–June 7.

Steve (staff) summarized the application and staff recommendation; a commissioner moved to approve the $11,000 allocation and a second was recorded. The commission voted in favor.

Staff noted that event applications undergo a vetting process and that post-event reports and metrics are provided to staff for review as part of ongoing program evaluation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tourism Development Commission - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tourism Development Commission approved $11,000 in community-event funding for the National Reined Cow Horse Association Kimes Ranch Derby at WestWorld, May 28–June 7.","taxTitle","Scottsdale, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",2563,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233061,"Commission backs $21,000 in bed-tax support for Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience",535,4073000,4608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef&start=4073&end=4608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef/thumbnail_4073000.jpg","/articles/6233061/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Commission-backs-21000-in-bed-tax-support-for-Arizona-Indigenous-Culinary-Experience","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233061-c324cf1261288d8262de3e015311434f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161859&Signature=XokzP0YnTvJQ2IIKlvoq4wU2EBlwpWOiA4NAMl-7X5a9UJEtXT1lOCJNO4xcEIHB7R7Ju66v9BEH5rZeAH0cTkahK9PwUPMa~8TYndoIVcYfgkgSCd~sEgRdX4d2zsjvqEgi~DrQshua6B6gXcOSGW2rBHGwJm3cQTph5OJ8aj6822PxSswXujgHBibPxC5Cc9DUpWBzLehi687~AkEyqrl5vp7~vA0aLalK0qsoqE2lE0ZJIFhwdxhwd3SiBf6tGMRcyMIwAnW3SJdRDsBdHyUWDCeDZaUCO~7pefmIiSPeBjdk5gmdpb2~pBam7~JK8iSbGxz1kZR8ctu9C11kdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tourism Development Commission voted May 20 to recommend up to $21,000 in bed-tax funding to support the Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience (ACE), an event and year-round journalism and programming initiative that highlights tribal foodways and indigenous culinary traditions.

Jeffrey Lasos Ferns, founder and producer of the Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience, told commissioners the program is in its twelfth year nationally and eighth year in Scottsdale and is a hybrid effort combining a November public tasting event with year-round media outreach to food journalists and cultural travelers. Lasos Ferns said ACE works with tribal tourism departments and curates chefs from northern, central and southern Arizona tribes to present ancestral ingredients in contemporary formats.

“Hosting the Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience in Scottsdale can bring several key benefits to the city: cultural enrichment, tourism boosts, promotion of indigenous heritage, economic impact and community engagement,” Lasos Ferns said, noting recent national coverage and partnerships with Smithsonian Magazine and Conde Nast for prior promotions and tastings.

Commissioners and the presenter discussed partners and sponsors; Lasos Ferns said prior partners have included Experience Scottsdale, the Arizona Office of Tourism, regional media outlets and tribal entities such as the Tohono O'odham Nation and Desert Diamond Casinos. The requested $21,000 was described as primarily for paid advertising and production elements.

A commissioner moved and another seconded approval; the commission voted to recommend the expenditure to city council.","The Tourism Development Commission recommended $21,000 in bed-tax funding to support the Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience, a year-round programming and November festival spotlighting tribal foodways and cultural storytelling.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233065,"Commission approves up to $39,000 in bed-tax support for Scottsdale Fourth of July celebration",455,3059000,3514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef&start=3059&end=3514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef/thumbnail_3059000.jpg","/articles/6233065/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Commission-approves-up-to-39000-in-bed-tax-support-for-Scottsdale-Fourth-of-July-celebration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233065-884307c804a406f258389740e3ef29a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161859&Signature=VUIfUlDnGbzi3If00-J44IelD~0BHiLa4grpRbESz~ZdNo~UqLPNIWnN00o9oOCrFyUTg07aCSOw1DSWIyiHroOizwvN6OzhUWVaDBGJaRNDBsE5VdKQIP6klsNOt2F~Y8thUYHKRpxXPK-0sRPkSdLgL2zw4jvSQnzIPqQSGhrDyIlfufe0sF5qrXreXxUtn5nkJarh-~itE1RWBNoXIyYqkOj5bWbj0NR5j4jFaAXKP37uqJv~gL6emsX1UA67n-0CE9a-eSyDUt-Z1eilDYvnwfrd~JdmsEbKsw0eWGBsmjKbX1TCG5kHFTKon9iTH1It1Ep-6tZE82A8klEnxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Scottsdale Tourism Development Commission approved a recommendation to city council for up to $39,000 in bed-tax funding to support the city’s Fourth of July celebration, event organizers said May 20.

Michael Chulley, president of M Culinary, presented the event with co-presenters and described a program that includes a large fireworks display, family activities, a rodeo component and food activations. Chulley said the event has grown over 12 years and drives hotel marketing partnerships: “We created a Stay and Play package … 18 hotels took us up,” he said.

Organizers said the $39,000 request is about $2,000 higher than the prior year, driven in part by rising fireworks costs linked to international supply issues. Chulley said Experience Scottsdale secured a fireworks contract in August that allowed the city to avoid cancellations other jurisdictions faced due to shipment delays.

The organizers described marketing value: last year’s coverage generated tens of millions of consumer impressions across broadcast and digital channels, and the event offers hotel partners complimentary tickets to promote room nights. The request also includes VIP tickets and on-site commercial placements on event video boards.

Commissioners questioned sponsorships, community give-back and metrics. Organizers said sponsors include the Scottsdale Museum of the West, local beverage partners and others; nonprofit and first-responder recognition elements were described. On questions about metrics and net proceeds, organizers said costs for city labor (police, fire, building services) and facility fees (WestWorld) are significant and that much of the event’s value is promotional rather than direct profit to the city.

A commissioner moved to fund the request and another seconded; the commission voted to approve the recommendation to city council for up to $39,000 in bed-tax funds.","The Tourism Development Commission voted to recommend up to $39,000 in bed-tax funding for the Scottsdale Fourth of July celebration, covering increased fireworks costs and event marketing; organizers said the event drives hotel room nights and wide media impressions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233070,"Experience Scottsdale presents FY 2025–26 strategic business plan; commission recommends approval",2416,141000,2557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef&start=141&end=2557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3425377-76ad308e741e6d13f69147a36fa081ef/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6233070/Scottsdale/Maricopa-County/Arizona/Experience-Scottsdale-presents-FY-202526-strategic-business-plan-commission-recommends-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233070-51e3edf018aa1fe4ee7ce2a982762708/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161859&Signature=LCUo5VBNRoqFwq~98uL~T~RIubPAiV1r7UC9IuhbX-24QiwoI5ZtsIxL~XCI-roc5H89xtXM17IiUh-fTFhe6k~WYt9KOXtZfPpqBJKrzQ4D5RaOcbeFnI7qb3yqWFcdKlWFUfJttmeEM8y074qjBqMHBG6H65vWkZqgGI3gv1RIjE1-VDm-C8PxnewomV4eu-cInShhfaw04E0oRaWQFQME9lhy-8BgeaYCi57FZIWISx~tggv3EYCsrma3UfbBVVVptdEl72pzU2L3Tt8ts1yQIefiM2WZL4E6cf4ZPhKCE3iTwdvOMYj5~zhQ41AoS6iUmvDcCBYd7FXF-OoQsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Experience Scottsdale presented its strategic business plan for fiscal year 2025–26 on May 20, outlining a roughly $22 million budget, 17 quarterly performance metrics and a marketing strategy focused on luxury leisure and group travel.

The plan, presented by Rachel Sacco, president and CEO of Experience Scottsdale, emphasizes golf, art and culture, resort and wellness offerings, Western heritage and family experiences. Sacco said the budget represents about 45% of visitor-generated bed tax collections plus partner investments and is “in line with what our current budget for this fiscal year is.”

The document also details communication strategies, domestic and international market tactics, and a group sales program. Michelle Myers, vice president of marketing, said the organization is refining audience targeting (adults 35 and older with household income thresholds), expanding a 17-market primary list with the addition of Portland, Oregon, and increasing use of connected TV, audio streaming and creator partnerships.

“Starting next fiscal year, we will be adding Portland, Oregon to our other 17 top leisure markets,” Myers said. “Since 2022, we have seen a 50% increase in the number of trips and an 83% increase in website traffic coming from Portland.”

Laura McMurchy, vice president of communications, described continued investment in earned media, familiarization tours and the Scottsdale Media Showcase to deliver editorial coverage in national outlets and trade shows. Diane Boynton Gropp, vice president of tourism, and Kelly Bluhbaum, vice president of convention sales and services, described sales and air-service development work to support international connections and group business. Sacco and staff said the plan was developed from research, focus groups, member input and program ROI reviews beginning in January.

Commission discussion covered airlift and metrics. Diane Boynton Gropp said Experience Scottsdale receives monthly passenger statistics from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and uses geolocation and hotel data to assess how flights translate to local visitation. Sacco said the organization is acquiring attribution software to place tracking pixels on media placements and bring most digital media buying in-house to better measure return on investment.

After questions, a commissioner moved and another seconded a recommendation of the strategic plan and the commission voted in favor. The commission’s action was recorded as a recommendation to city council for the strategic plan and associated performance measurements.","Experience Scottsdale presented a $22 million fiscal 2025–26 strategic business plan focused on luxury leisure and group travel, new performance metrics and expanded marketing tactics; the Tourism Development Commission recommended the plan for onward review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves $11,000 community-event funding for NRCHA Kimes Ranch Derby at WestWorld

Commission backs $21,000 in bed-tax support for Arizona Indigenous Culinary Experience

Commission approves up to $39,000 in bed-tax support for Scottsdale Fourth of July celebration

Experience Scottsdale presents FY 2025–26 strategic business plan; commission recommends approval