LT2025-007 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION CLTAC

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Response 6.1: Provide any additional information which will assist the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in evaluating your project and its benefit to tourism. The Ellensburg Downtown Association is proud to be nationally recognized as a Main Street Community, in partnership with both National Main Street and Washington Main Street. Our full-time staff has professional experience in event planning, branding, content creation, fundraising, business operations, and destination marketing. We are a skilled and strategic team, with a board of directors and committee members who are passionate about showcasing all that Downtown Ellensburg has to offer. We continue to align our efforts with strategic plans at the county and city level, and forge strong partnerships with entities like Central Washington University, the Kittitas County Historical Museum, the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Ellensburg. We are enhancing the quality of entertainment and activities, increasing budgets for cultural partnerships like Juneteenth and Dia de los Muertos, and improving event accessibility through translation efforts. Our events are showcased through high-quality photo, video, and web content to attract visitors from over 50 miles away and highlight the uniqueness of Ellensburg, making it a "wow" destination. Additionally, we are implementing a targeted digital marketing strategy to reach not only our local demographic, but also a broader, more well-defined audience based in King, Pierce, Grant, Chelan, Yakima, and Douglas counties. We also focus on stimulating the local economy during the off-season with events such as Halloween, Moments to Remember, Holiday Night Market, and Buskers in the Burg. These efforts ensure that Ellensburg is not only a vibrant destination but also a key player in regional economic development. Ellensburg has long been regarded as a “best kept secret” in Washington State, with many visitors only stopping for a gas and a quick bite to eat. With support from lodging tax dollars, we will be able to share the secret more widely, and further stimulate business and overnight stays in Ellensburg. 2500 character limit Response 6.2: You may upload any supporting documents such as graphs, images, diagrams, marketing materials, etc. You are allowed to submit up to 3 single page (US Letter) documents in JPG, PDF or TIFF format LTAC - Supplemental Materials.pdf 10.52MB 7| Previous Lodging Tax Grant Information Response 7.1: Has your event received Lodging Tax funds in previous years?* No, this event/project has not previously received Lodging Tax Funding Yes, 1 year previous Yes, 2 years previous Yes, 3 years previous Yes, 4 or more years previous Response 7.2: Overall Attendance * Past Actual *Projected * 17,000 20,400 Response 7.3: Number of people travelling more than 50 miles for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 3,612 4,334 Response 7.4: Number of people traveling from outside WA State for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 50 75 Response 7.5: The number of overnight guests who stay in paid accommodations in Kittitas County for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 40 60