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nurturing new events are:building a strong base of participants,finding acceptable dates on
<br />the Park's filling calendar and getting enough helpers.We know we have to devote
<br />significant time and resources -including excellent promotions -to make them successful.
<br />Marketing plans for new events vary depending on the audiences we're trying to attract,but may
<br />include all of the methods noted below for new and ongoing events:
<br />Ongoing New
<br />Events Events
<br />o Website,Facebook,e-newsletter content and production
<br />o Advertising -print,radio,TV,Facebook
<br />o Event flyer/registration pkg design,production,distribution
<br />o Event development planning with constituents (labor and mileage exp.)
<br />o Event branding-signage,banners,merchandise
<br />$20,000 $10,000
<br />2.How will Lodge Tax Funds received result in increased tourism?
<br />Our target market includes Washington,Oregon,Idaho,Montana,California,and British Columbia
<br />and is comprised of very diverse English and western horse-related interests and disciplines.This
<br />year we again obtained residence information from the vast majority of Park visitors and 95%
<br />reside further than 50 miles away.We drew over 260 people from out of state (Arkansas,Arizona,
<br />California,Colorado,Florida,Idaho,Kentucky,Montana,Nebraska,Nevada,New Mexico,New York,
<br />North Carolina,Minnesota,Oregon,Pennsylvania,Tennessee,Texas,Virginia,Wyoming and another
<br />7 from Canada).
<br />A major goal for the Park is to book large shows of 100+horses that run 2-4+days thereby causing
<br />more visitors to stay overnight.Overnight stays increase Park revenues from arena rentals,stall fees,
<br />RV camper hook-up and day use fees,and increase opportunities for larger numbers of visitors to
<br />patronize local businesses.We're pleased that our larger competitions return annually and include
<br />two hunter/jumper shows,two eventing horse trials,the rodeo and reined cow horse competitions.
<br />In fact,all but one of these events are at capacity with the Park's current facilities and need more
<br />arena space.Surrounding this stable core we have a variety of smaller and medium size events,a
<br />portion of which change each year for a variety of reasons,many beyond our control.(For example,
<br />organizers need to rotate to other geographic areas to serve their,leadership changes,or an inability
<br />to scale up to make the event financially viable.)The addition of the permanent bleachers last year
<br />(thanks to a Lodge Tax Capital Fund grant of $41,500)and other amenities are helping attract new
<br />users.It is vital that we keep developing a pipeline of new events while we strive to maintain our
<br />major core events.We believe the best measure for evaluating the Park's success and contribution
<br />to economic impact is by looking at the seasonal total of all activities over time.
<br />Still,our short term growth potential is limited by the pace of on-going facilities build-out.Most
<br />significantly,we need a fifth competition arena that is covered in order to grow our large core
<br />events and to add many new events throughout the high and shoulder seasons.
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