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Future Plans* Most years we have been financially in the black and were able to accumulate reserves. Unfortunately, because of increasing expenses and our declining attendance, we have had to dip into those reserves. As a result, becoming 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. In 2017, we experimented Wth a change in ticket pricing, Mich assisted us in partially overcoming some additional costs such as the new City admissions tax In 2018, with a major change in board members, we embarked of developing a five-year business plan. A major focus was to attract more major festival sponsors by reassessing what that might look like for them. This we accomplished, moving from two sponsors in 2017 to five in 2018 including KVH which sponsored Sunday's performances as a free concert to festival goers and our community. We also reduced our costs by reducing the number of venues to eight from ten. Subsequently, in 2018 we covered all expenses and ended with a small surplus for the next year. For 2019, we increased our corporate sponsorships to seven and again KVH subsidized the free concert on Sunday. - Our newsletter is still in it's infancy, but we already see the potential of expanding our message. - CWU has committed to having a Jazz Camp the week prior to the 2020 festival. They changed the name to JIV-CWU Jazz Camp, and 87% of those attendees live outside of Kittitas County. - Our new Hotel Windrow has expressed interest in a collaboration. - Although v&e still have enough reserves to put on a festival next year, our attendance was down slightly and we did not make our 2019 budget. The Ellensburg Arts Commission helped us defray some of the costs and we will be looking to them again to help us out for specific needs. - The Festivals biggest contribution comes from our board members and the approx. 150-200 community volunteers that work to set up and put on the festival. Keeping them involved and attracting new people to help is a focus for us. - The board is working with a facilitator to help us develop a cohesive, well- functioning board and committees, while developing a well-defined long-term plan for Jazz in the Valley. A key element for our longevity is attracting more community members to help our various committees throughout the year. 2500 character lint 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 - This will be our 23rd 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 only paid staff is during the festival: ticket booth staffing, security officers, and the musicians along Wth the sound techs. - Volunteers are our lifeblood. This festival is truly a community effort. Attached is a brief history of our journey: See Exhibit E. - We are working to re-create our image. We have established a recognizable entity/festival; however, we are more than the traditional/straight up jazz. Changing the name and promoting the variety of music we offer is seriously being looked at. Although, when we asked our patrons on Survey Monkey their opinion, the majority wanted it to stay Jazz in the Valley. 2500 character lirrit -)