LT2025-006-Laughing Horse - Laserfiche WebLink

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Response 2.2: Describe the prior success of your evenUactivity/facility to attract tourists. * ln July 2024, our summer production of Anastasia attracted 2,083 attendees across 8 performances, averaging approximately 260 attendees per show. ln comparison, our July 2023 produciion ran for three weekends, wiih 10 performances in total, and saw an attendance of 1,746, averaging 1 74 attendees per performance. While our local attendance stayed steady, notably, our 2024 performance saw a significant boost in attendance from tourists, at 25.5o/o we created a 7.8% increase in those traveling more than 50 miles, compared to July 2023 al 17 .7%. We see this as a direct resLrlt of our increased advertising - with the Kiititas Co Msitor Guide, email, and out of county posters/yard signs correlating to a positive increase in atiendance. ln 2024, we were able to gather accurate zip code informaiion for 85.5% of attendees. We did not collect zip codes for cash-at- the-door iransactions. Based on our data, approximately 73.5% of our 2024 audience is from Kiiiitas County, while 25.5% traveled more than 50 miles from within Washingion State, and 1 .1Yo were from out of state. li's important to noie that local attendees often purchase tickets for out-of-town family and friends, the aciual number of travelers is likely higher than the recorded 25.5%. See data below (see supplemental aitachmeni for detailed ticket locations): Zip Code Location breakdown - 2024Tickel Purchases (data for 1782 oul of 2083 tickets sold) Kittiias County = 73.5o/o (1309 tickets) Central & Eastern WA= 15.7% (278 tickets) Western WA = 9.9% (176 tickets) Out of staie = 1.1% (19 tickets) ToialAttendees traveling more ihan 50 miles = 25.5% (454 tickets) lf we apply those percentages to our total number of tickets sold we can reasonably eslimate that 531 attendees were from outside of Kittitas County, and 23 were from Oui of Siate = 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, 28Vo would visit for the day only, and 37o/o would stay overnight or for the weekend in a private home with friends and family. Kitiitas 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). Holel occupancy rate in Kiititas County for the firsi two weekends of July is 82-95% filled. This makes a great opportunity for visitors looking for local entertainment options. 2500 character Iimil Application Questions: Part 2 o 3l lmpact Response 3: Describe how you will promote your evenUactivity/facility to attract tourists. * - Target Facebook and social media ads to ihe 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 - Adverlise 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 oiher markeiing opportunities as appropriate). - Link to the County Tourism Website - Link io 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 ihat 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 wilh local businesses and encourage more overnight guests. 2500 character lirnit