LT2025-006 LAUGHING HORSE ARTS FOUNDATION

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3| Impact Response 3: Describe how you will promote your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.* Response 2.2: Describe the prior success of your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.* In July 2024, our summer production of Anastasia attracted 2,083 attendees across 8 performances, averaging approximately 260 attendees per show. In comparison, our July 2023 production ran for three weekends, with 10 performances in total, and saw an attendance of 1,746, averaging 174 attendees per performance. While our local attendance stayed steady, notably, our 2024 performance saw a significant boost in attendance from tourists, at 25.5% we created a 7.8% increase in those traveling more than 50 miles, compared to July 2023 at 17.7%. We see this as a direct result of our increased advertising - with the Kittitas Co Visitor Guide, email, and out of county posters/yard signs correlating to a positive increase in attendance. In 2024, we were able to gather accurate zip code information for 85.5% of attendees. We did not collect zip codes for cash-at- the-door transactions. Based on our data, approximately 73.5% of our 2024 audience is from Kittitas County, while 25.5% traveled more than 50 miles from within Washington State, and 1.1% were from out of state. It's important to note that local attendees often purchase tickets for out-of-town family and friends, the actual number of travelers is likely higher than the recorded 25.5%. See data below (see supplemental attachment for detailed ticket locations): Zip Code Location breakdown - 2024 Ticket Purchases (data for 1782 out of 2083 tickets sold) Kittitas County = 73.5% (1309 tickets) Central & Eastern WA = 15.7% (278 tickets) Western WA = 9.9% (176 tickets) Out of state = 1.1% (19 tickets) Total Attendees traveling more than 50 miles = 25.5% (454 tickets) If we apply those percentages to our total number of tickets sold we can reasonably estimate that 531 attendees were from outside of Kittitas County, and 23 were from Out of State = 553 attendees from greater than 50 miles. Current information that is county specific is hard to find, based on the 2017 Dean Runyan Report: 35% of these stay in hotels/motels, 28% would visit for the day only, and 37% would stay overnight or for the weekend in a private home with friends and family. Kittitas County Tourism data provided by the Chamber of Commerce shows that day attendees on an average day trip into the county will generate $205 (gas, food, shopping, recreation). Hotel occupancy rate in Kittitas County for the first two weekends of July is 82-95% filled. This makes a great opportunity for visitors looking for local entertainment options. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 2 - Target Facebook and social media ads to the greater Central Washington region - List the event in online event calendars regionally and with statewide arts supporters like NWPB.org and others - Work collaboratively with other community / semi professional theaters in the region to promote the event - Advertise the event regionally (with a focus on Chelan, Yakima, Grant and King Counties) at appropriate venues (which may include online community boards, radio ads, displays at events or venues, or other marketing opportunities as appropriate). - Link to the County Tourism Website - Link to the Chamber of Commerce - Add event to the local 2025 visitors guide - including online banner ads and email blasts - Use branding logo, fonts and credit the support received on our website, Facebook page, etc. - Link to county accommodations and restaurant opportunities. - Rack cards displaying our season of shows with event dates and info links for distribution at hotels and businesses that are higher traffic areas for tourists. - Develop Experience Partner “packages” with local businesses – i.e. restaurants, hotels for “dinner and a play” or a “weekend stay and play” to cross-promote with local businesses and encourage more overnight guests. 2500 character limit