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Response 2.1: Why would tourists travel to Kittitas County to attend your event/activity/facility?*
<br />Ellensburg continues to be a hub of daytime and overnight travel for residents in the Seattle metro area and along the I-405
<br />corridor (Sources 3 and 4). Most surveyed visitors come to Ellensburg for events. They like the downtown and local beer, wine,
<br />and spirits, and are likely to return to Ellensburg 1-2 times a year. This survey noted that 37% of respondents visited Ellensburg
<br />for an event or festival, 17% visited for the Ellensburg Rodeo, and 11% visited for a weekend getaway (Source 2).
<br />Given that 37% of respondents visited Ellensburg for an event or festival, the EDA’s annual events have a direct impact on the
<br />number of visitors that come to Ellensburg.
<br />Ellensburg is also a hub of year-round activity for alumni and students of Central Washington University. For over 100 years,
<br />CWU Wildcats have called Ellensburg home, and many alumni enjoy heading back to “The Burg” to experience their college
<br />town in new ways. Their visits, along with visits from current CWU students’ families throughout the year, stimulate the local
<br />economy in peak and off-peak times. They dine, shop, experience galleries and museums, and explore our vibrant downtown.
<br />Anecdotally, most alumni speak very fondly of their time in Ellensburg – they are eager to come back and explore what is the
<br />same, and what is excitingly new.
<br />Our signature events like Hoedown in the Downtown, Halloween Trick or Treat, Buskers in the Burg, Moments to Remember,
<br />and the Summer/Holiday Night Markets capture the imagination and leave a lasting impression on attendees.
<br />Tourists travel to Kittitas County for these events and programs for many reasons. Downtown Ellensburg is a safe and
<br />welcoming place – visitors have free parking and can visit a wide range of shops, galleries, and restaurants. During the holiday
<br />season, the EDA’s snowflake lights, grand holiday tree, and holiday programming provide “Hallmark moments” for visiting
<br />families and friends.
<br />With lodging tax funding, we will enhance the quality of our marketing, content creation, and event planning efforts, ensuring that
<br />visitors fully experience the charm and uniqueness of Downtown Ellensburg.
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<br />Response 2.2: Describe the prior success of your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.*
<br />The Ellensburg Downtown Association (EDA) draws about 20% of its online traffic from outside of Ellensburg. Between
<br />September 19, 2023, and September 21, 2024, the EDA website recorded 15,738 sessions, with 13,490 from Washington State
<br />and 2,625 (20%) from Seattle. This shows a strong Seattle audience, making it crucial to provide content that appeals to visitors
<br />who will sleep, dine, and shop in downtown Ellensburg (Exhibit C).
<br />EDA’s bi-monthly e-newsletter, with a subscription widget on the website, engages both locals and visitors interested in events
<br />and programs. These newsletters boast a 40-60% open rate, with many clicks leading to event details.
<br />Currently, most photography and videography for event promotion is created by staff and volunteers, resulting in varying quality.
<br />Lodging tax funding will allow us to hire professional photographers to improve the visual representation of downtown and its
<br />events, ensuring consistent and high-quality promotion.
<br />Hoedown in the Downtown kicks off the Ellensburg rodeo and fair season and has grown significantly. Moving the event to
<br />Saturday and hosting it at Unity Park has made it more accessible for out-of-town visitors. This year, we secured country
<br />musician Chance McKinney, with a following of over 49,000, and partnered with the Ellensburg Rodeo to promote the event to
<br />rodeo contestants and families. The first Rodeo City Ribfest, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association, also
<br />attracted a new crowd of barbecue enthusiasts from across the region. The event’s Facebook page received 748 responses,
<br />and attendance was around 2,000.
<br />Buskers in the Burg celebrates Ellensburg’s creative arts scene. Partnering with Blue Bear Puppet Lab, a renowned performer
<br />who performs in the Fremont Solstice Parade, this event attracts visitors from the Seattle area. It runs alongside the Ellensburg
<br />Farmers Market and benefits from cross-promotion with MyEllensburg and local partners, making it a popular annual event.
<br />Holiday events such as Moments to Remember and Holiday Girls Night Out drive commerce and create lasting memories
<br />downtown. In 2024, we introduced a 20-foot holiday tree downtown, and we aim to grow the tree lighting into a key annual
<br />tradition. Lodging tax funding will help enhance these events by securing more entertainment, holiday activities, and marketing
<br />to draw more visitors.
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<br />Application Questions: Part 2
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