The Moab Tourism Advisory Board voted Nov. 11 to advance a new special-events marketing matching-grant program and scheduled a workshop to finalize rules and scoring criteria.

Board members described the program as a matching pool — ‘‘if they say they want to put $10,000 in, the county would match your advertising with the $10,000 grant,’’ a board member said — and noted the total fund has been raised from prior-year levels to $250,000 to attract new and shoulder‑season events. "We brought that grant up from, I think, last year... we raised that to 250,000 so that we can also be looking for different size of events," a board member told the meeting.

The subcommittee circulated an application form and proposed a six-point scoring rubric for evaluating requests: quality of proposed marketing strategy; potential to increase overnight stays and evidence of lodging partnerships; expected revenue and economic impact; fit with targeted seasons; how crucial the grant is to campaign success; and strong community support. The board discussed making disbursements on a reimbursement basis after events occur and verifying permits and attendance before funds are released.

Members asked the subcommittee and county staff to produce formal rules and procedures so applicants know timing and eligibility. "We need the guidelines set up," said a board member; staff indicated the program would likely include links to the county's intent-to-apply/permit process and require evidence of a permitted event.

The board then voted to hold a standalone workshop on Nov. 25 (motion by Alex; second by Howard) to finalize the rules and scoring criteria. The motion carried by voice/raised hands; the chair and others noted the workshop will prepare the item for the commission and for a public rollout.

Next steps: the subcommittee will refine the application, staff will draft rules and reimbursement procedures, and the board will consider the finalized policy at the December meeting or in the follow-up workshop.