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Tourism promotion budget proposed at $1.3M; staff seeks authority to create small Opportunity Fund for events
Summary
City staff presented a proposed 2026 Tourism Promotion Area budget of $1.3 million (plus carryover and interest) and asked council to authorize development of a small Opportunity Fund to recruit events that generate overnight stays; the Hotel Commission recommended the proposal.
City staff proposed a 2026 Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) budget and work plan and asked council to authorize staff to develop an Opportunity Fund to help recruit events that generate overnight visitors.
Tourism and Marketing Manager Leslie Brassfield told council the TPA generated $1,402,000 for the 12 months ending June 2025 and staff recommends a 2026 budget of $1,300,000 plus $25,000 in interest and $450,000 carryover for a total of $1,775,000. The Hotel Commission approved the proposed budget at its Aug. 21 meeting and recommended it be forwarded to council.
Brassfield said staff want to create a small Opportunity Fund to provide timely, targeted TPA funding to venues or event planners to help secure events that will produce overnight stays. The fund would use modest amounts to add to venue proposals when timely responses are required, she said; staff will return with a formal application process and recommended fund size. The department also plans to renew consultant contracts for destination marketing and sports recruitment and to evaluate technology services that provide place-based and financial data to measure event reach and economic impact.
Council members asked for more details; Council Member Patton and others requested specifics about the size and distribution process for the Opportunity Fund. Brassfield said staff would bring detailed scope, fee proposals and an Opportunity Fund recommendation back to the TPA Commission on Sept. 25 and to council later in October or November.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article: Leslie Brassfield (Tourism and Marketing Manager), Council Member Patton.
Ending: Staff will return with consultant scope and fee proposals, recommended Opportunity Fund size and distribution rules, and the council will consider final budget adoption in mid‑November.
