|
Response 2.1 : Why would tourists travel to Kittitas Gounty to attend your evenUactivity/facility? *
<br />Ellensburg continues to be a hub of daylime and overnight travel for residenls in the Seattle metro area and along the l-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 io 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!o visited for a weekend getaway (Source 2).
<br />Given that 37% of respondents visited Ellensburg for an event or festival, the EDAs 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" io experience their college
<br />town in new ways. Their visits, along wilh visits from current CWU str.idents'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 vibrani 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 orTreat, Buskers in the Burg, Moments to Remember,
<br />and the Summer/Holiday Night Markets capture the imagination and leave a lasting impression on atiendees-
<br />Tourists travel to Kitiitas 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 EDAs snowflake lights, grand holiday iree, and holiday programming provide "Hallmark moments" lor visiting
<br />families and friends.
<br />With lodging tax funding, we will enhance the quality of our marketing, content creaiion, and event planning efforts, ensuring that
<br />visitors fully experience the charm and uniqueness of Downtown Ellensburg.
<br />25oo characler lirnii
<br />Response 2.2: Describe the prior success of your evengactivity/facility to attract tourists. *
<br />The Ellensburg Downtown Association (EDA) draws about20o/o 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 Stale
<br />and 2,625 (2O%) from Seaitle. This shows a strong Seattle audience, making it crucial io provide content that appeals to visitors
<br />who will sleep, dine, and shop in downtown Ellensburg (Exhibit C).
<br />EDAs bi-monthly e-newsletter, with a subscription widget on the website. engages both locals and visitors interested in events
<br />and programs. These newsletters boasl a 40-60o/o open rate, with many clicks leading to event deiails.
<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 promoiion.
<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 visiiors. 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 aris scene. Partnering wiih Blue Bear Puppet Lab, a renowned performer
<br />who performs in the Fremont Solstice Parade. this event aitracts visitors from the Seattle area. lt runs alongside the Ellensburg
<br />Farmers Market and benefits from cross-promotion wiih 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 lasiing memories
<br />downtown. h 2A24, 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.
<br />2500 characler linril
<br />oApplication Questions: Part 2
|