Moab tourism board outlines $250,000 special-events marketing grant, sets application windows and reporting rules

The Moab Tourism Advisory Board reviewed and revised guidelines on Nov. 25 for a $250,000 special events marketing grant intended to draw larger and shoulder‑season events to Grand County.

At a workshop that included staff and community stakeholders, members said the program — enlarged from roughly $220,000 in earlier budgets — should prioritize projects that demonstrably increase overnight stays and bring measurable economic benefit. The board discussed required attachments (a line‑item marketing spreadsheet), six scoring criteria, application windows and whether to pay grants up front or by reimbursement.

The scoring criteria the board agreed to refine include: the quality of the proposed marketing strategy; potential to increase overnight stays and evidence of lodging partnerships; expected revenue and local economic impact; emphasis on shoulder‑season visitation; how crucial the grant is to the event’s success; and community support or involvement. Board members suggested a 1–5 scoring scale and asked staff to add application questions that make community support and lodging partnerships explicit.

Member…