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Response 4.2: Describe how you will promote lodging establishments, restaurants, and business located in Kittitas County * <br />Response 4.3: Is there a host hotel for your event or grant project? If yes, list the hotel.* <br />5| Future Plans <br />Response 5: Please explain what plans exist to allow this project to become self-sustaining. Include any plans for ticket sales, <br />event sponsors, and other cost-recovery models.* <br />All events and programs organized by the EDA are hosted on the EDA website, which also features local accommodations, <br />dining, shopping, and activity opportunities. We often partner with local boutique property Hotel Windrow to drive overnight stays <br />in the downtown core, and encourage downtown businesses to host sales/specials in conjunction with our events. An example <br />of this is during Holiday Night Market, where we host merchants in two indoor venues and encourage restaurants to host <br />meal/drink specials and discounts to drive spending. <br />Lodging tax funding will allow us to print high-quality downtown maps, so that visitors can easily locate shops, restaurants, <br />lodging establishments, and other businesses while they are visiting. <br />Additionally, we will enhance the quality of our marketing, content creation, and event planning efforts to ensure visitors <br />experience the charm and uniqueness of Downtown Ellensburg. Through our Girls' Night Out events (Spring & Winter), we will <br />encourage attendees to explore various locations using a bingo card, driving foot traffic across downtown. The Hometown <br />Holiday publication, created in conjunction with The Daily Record, will highlight local restaurants and feature holiday gift guides <br />showcasing unique items from our local retailers, further promoting downtown businesses and enriching the visitor experience. <br />We will increase our promotion efforts with MyEllensburg, ensuring its designation as the #1 tourism resource for visitors. We will <br />increase content development for visitors, will cross-promote MyEllensburg in our e-newsletters, and share more event/program <br />photography with MyEllensburg’s marketing team to assist with their promotion of historic downtown Ellensburg. The <br />MyEllensburg primary mark will live on appropriate collateral and event marketing materials, increasing brand awareness and <br />recognition for our local tourism brand. <br />2500 character limit <br />No <br />Yes <br />The EDA continues to increase its sponsorship levels due to cost increases for supplies, entertainment, wages, travel, and <br />advertising. Between January 2023 and September 2024, we have received $75,550 in sponsorship dollars. While this is <br />significant, we will be increasing our ask amounts and campaigns to align our sponsorship totals with the caliber of events and <br />programs that we know the EDA can deliver for locals and tourists alike. <br />In line with our mission of “creating a sense of place for all,” we do not offer ticketed events – we prioritize creating inclusive, <br />memorable experiences that are welcoming, equitable, and safe for everyone. Our goal is to keep our events and programs free <br />or offered at a very low cost to the public. Additional funding will enable us to maintain this important objective while continuing <br />to enhance the quality of our offerings for the community and our visitors. <br />To ensure long-term sustainability, we will continue to focus on increasing sponsorship revenue, building partnerships with local <br />businesses, and exploring other cost-recovery opportunities, such as vendor fees and merchandise sales, without compromising <br />the accessibility and inclusiveness of our events. <br />2500 character limit <br />Application Questions: Part 4 <br />6| Additional Information