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Response 4.2: Describe how you will promote lodging establishments, restaurants, and business located in Kiftitas County * <br />All events and programs organized by the EDA are hosted on ihe EDA website, which also features local accomnrodations, <br />dining, shopping, and activity opportunities. We often partner with local boutique property Hotel Windrow to drive overnight stays <br />rn 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 restauranis to host <br />mealldrink specials and discounts to drive spending. <br />Lodging tax funding will allow us to print high-quality downtown maps, so that visiiors can easily locaie shops, restaurants, <br />lodging establishments, and other businesses while ihey are visiting. <br />Additionally, we will enhance the quality of our marketing, contenl creation, and event planning efforts io ensure visitors <br />experrence the charm and uniqueness of Downtown Ellensburg. Through our Girls' Night Out events (Spring & Winte$, we will <br />encourage attendees to explore various locations using a bingo card, driving foot traffic across do!/ntown. 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 promoiing downtown businesses and enriching ihe 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 evenvprogram <br />photography wiih MyEllensburg's marketrng 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 iourism brand. <br />2500 character linrit <br />Response 4.3: ls there a host hotel for your event or grant project? lf yes, list the hotel. * <br />aNo <br />,, Yes <br />5l Future Plans <br />Response 5: Please explain what plans exist to allow this project to become self-sustaining. lnclude any plans for ticket sales, <br />event sponsors, and other cost-recovery models.* <br />The EDA continues to increase rts sponsorship levels due to cost increases for supplies, entenainment, wages, travel, and <br />advertising. Between January 2023 and September 2A24, 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 />ln 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 imporiant objective while continuing <br />io enhance the guality of our offerings for the community and our visitors. <br />To ensure longterm 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 characler litnit <br />Application Questions: Part 4 o <br />6[ Additional lnformation