Denton City staff outline HOT and sponsorship application process, deadlines and requirements

Denton City staff led a step‑by‑step webinar on the city’s hotel‑occupancy‑tax (HOT) and sponsorship application process, saying the online portal opened May 12 and that the formal application deadline is June 13.

The session explained eligibility and required materials for both HOT awards and sponsorships, including a minimum‑attendance threshold, budget details and supporting documents. Staff repeatedly stressed that HOT funds are intended primarily to advertise the city and draw visitors into Denton, while sponsorships are less restrictive but smaller in total size.

Why it matters: HOT funding is drawn from hotel‑occupancy taxes and is aimed at increasing tourism and hotel stays. The city will present full applicant requests to a review committee and then to the full City Council as part of the budget adoption process; applicants should expect a committee recommendation in July and a final budget approval in September.

City staff (identified in the meeting as “Staff member”) told applicants to describe their event and how requested funds will be used: “This is our plan,” the presenter said about listing anticipated funding and expenditures, and added, “Our goal for hot funds is everything that comes in the door goes right back out into the community.”

Key application requirements and timeline

- Deadline: The portal opened May 12; the submission deadline is June 13. - Attendance threshold: Applicants must document a minimum annual attendance of 200 people to be eligible for HOT funds. Staff said events under that number are generally not eligible until they can demonstrate growth. - Documents required up front: active nonprofit status, IRS tax…