LT2018-004 Jazz in the Valley - Laserfiche WebLink

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Future Plans* -In the past , our main sources of funding have come from contributions and ticket sales . We sent solicitation letters requesting financial support in December to 475 businesses in Kittitas County and others out of the area that have contributed in the past. In March we sent out 1700 letters and brochures to our subscriber list, asking for support and offering a way to purchase tickets. -We offered Major Festival sponsorships at the $2000 level. -Last year, In-kind donations from local businesses accounted for services valued over $7438 (reported as $5088 after subtracting the value of tickets). -The Festivals biggest contribution comes from our board members and the approx 200 community volunteers that work to set up and put on the festival. Those hours (valued at $24.14 by Dean Runyan Associate), made their contribution 45 % of our reported income . -For majority of past 20 years , we have been financially in the black and were able to accumulate reserves. Unfortunately in the last three years as our expenses have gone up and our attendance has diminished, we have had to dip into those reserves. As a result, become self-sustaining has been a major focus for our board . For example, in 2016, we experimented with expanding the types of music to attract a bigger audience .•.. which worked . In 2017, we experimented with a change in ticket pricing, which assisted us in partially overcoming some additional costs such as the new City admissions tax. -We are currently writing a long-term business plan . The goal is to focus our efforts not only on each upcoming year, but to also have a long-term lens on the next five years. We have also recruited new board members to assist in this question, including (most recently) Jay O'Connor. Jay comes to Ellensburg after a long career as high-level staff in the TV/radio/media business. We anticipate he will be a great help in formulating a plan to increase ticket sales via more effective marketing -We plan to create a special committee whose sole focus will obtaining additional festival sponsors. Our goal is to increase festival sponsors from two (this year) to at least five . They will be reassessing what being a festival sponsor should entail. -We are considering reducing the number of venues in the Downtown area , which would mean lower costs for musicians and their associated needs . -We are exploring whatever arts/community grants we might qualify for . 2500 chara cter lirrit Application Questions: Part 4 61 Additional Information Provide any additional information which will assist the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in evaluating your project and its benefit to tourism. Additional Information -In our 20 yrs. of operation, our main demographic has aged along with our board. That is why a primary focus is to become more tech savvy in our approach to marketing and outreach to our past attendees .. -The Jazz Board is in major transformation. Many of the longtime members have retired. We are actively soliciting new members. -This will be our 21st year offering the festival and every year festival board members have done informal surveys of the restaurants and motels. The feedback we have received indicates this is one of their busiest and best weekends during the year. We know we are not the only reason but certainly help. -The festival has no paid staff other than limited ticket booth staffing during the festival, security officers, and the musicians along with the sound techs . Volunteers are our lifeblood. This festival is truly a community effort. 2500 character lirrit