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Tourism board revives special‑events marketing grant, approves $250,000 two‑year pot and application update
Summary
The Moab Tourism Advisory Board agreed to reconstitute a special‑events marketing grant program, approved $250,000 for a two‑year window, amended the application to require applicants’ marketing plans, and authorized outside firms to help promote the grant opening.
The Moab Tourism Advisory Board voted on Sept. 9 to restart a special‑events marketing matching‑grant program, allocate $250,000 for the initiative and update the application process used to solicit proposals.
Howard Trumbull and other subcommittee members summarized recommendations developed with County staff. The program is designed to provide marketing funds to events that promote visitation to Grand County and to help events grow in shoulder and off seasons. The board discussed tiered funding, a potential 50% match for applicants and ways to require accountability and post‑event auditing.
Board members debated whether the grant window should cover 18 or 24 months; a motion allocating $250,000 with a 24‑month application window passed after discussion. The board also approved a change to the draft application to require applicants to include a brief description of how they plan to market their event and to provide receipts when seeking the second half of any award.
In addition, the board authorized two outside contractors — Madden Media and Camp Stories — to prepare scopes of work to help the county publicize the grant and attract a broader range of applicants. Leslie of Madden Media and Campbell Levy of Camp Stories described outreach plans and proposed approaches for targeted audiences. The board said it would return as a subcommittee to refine scoring, tiers and management of the program.
Why it matters: Board members said reopening the program is a means to seed events that will bring overnight visitors and fill lodging during slower months. Discussion emphasized accountability—requiring a marketing plan and post‑event audit before paying the second installment to grantees.
What the board asked next: Program administrators will finalize the draft application language with the added marketing‑plan requirement; Madden Media and Camp Stories will submit scopes of work to assist with outreach; staff will propose a management plan for reviewing applications and awarding funds.
