Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Event Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
JHTTB approves reduced signature-event pot, allocates $850,000 to six festivals and events
Summary
After extended discussion about attendance projections, venue readiness and sponsorship, the board amended an initial $1.94 million request and approved an $850,000 funding package split among six signature events; two board members recused on related votes.
The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board approved a revised signature-event funding package totaling $850,000 on March 12, 2026, after debating revenue projections, venue confirmations and sponsorship viability. The amended allocation funds the Jackson Hole International Film Festival ($125,000), Pedigree Stage Stop Dog Sled Race ($40,000), Rendezvous Music Festival ($572,500) and Native Voices and Teton Powwow ($112,500); Horseshoe Music Festival, Teton Skijoring and An Evening with Neil DeGrasse Tyson received $0 in the final allocation.
Board members raised concerns about venue certainty and local lodging capacity before approving the amendment. During initial presentations, Ms. Hadley said, "last year’s ticket sales were about 1,200 per day, but they expect the festival to grow to 5,000 per day this year," a projection that prompted questions about impacts on historically high occupancy dates. Mr. Stobaugh told the board that his proposed skijoring event "wouldn’t happen without funding," and board members expressed hesitancy to commit funds while a venue remained unconfirmed.
The funding process included an initial motion by Ms. Bess to allocate $1,935,800 across seven events; the board later amended that motion to the $850,000 package. Ms. Calder and Mr. Pope recused themselves from the final vote because of conflicts tied to the Rendezvous Music Festival and the Jackson Hole International Film Festival; the amended motion passed 4-0 with those members absent from the room. Written public comments submitted in advance were entered into the record, and several in-person commenters voiced support for individual events.
