LT2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES FINAL

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Response 1.1: Please provide a description of your project/event.* Response 1.2: Please provide us link to a brief video summary of you organization's event/project.* PLACES 2026 is the statewide Washington Trust for Historic Preservation & WA Main Street conference, hosted in Ellensburg October 7-9, 2026. This three-day gathering will bring an estimated 370 preservation professionals, Main Street leaders, business owners, and civic partners to Kittitas County. The event will be centered in downtown Ellensburg at venues such as Hotel Windrow, Gallery One, Liberty Bible Church, and Unity Park. Attendees will participate in workshops, keynote sessions, heritage tours, and networking events that highlight the vibrancy of Ellensburg’s historic core and community partners. By bringing hundreds of overnight visitors during the fall shoulder season, PLACES 2026 directly supports local hospitality establishments, restaurants, retailers, and attractions. The event is unique in its focus on historic preservation and Main Street vitality showcasing Ellensburg’s leadership in these areas to a statewide audience and positioning Kittitas County as a premier destination for heritage tourism, community-based conferences, and outdoor recreation. 2500 character limit Note: You MUST be present at the Q&A meeting to qualify for funding. https://youtu.be/50cvZl3-4BI?feature=shared Response 1.3: List of Intended Use of Funds * Note: This language will be related in the contract if awarded. The CLTAC cannot approve funds not listed under RCW 67.28.1816. However, the committee has the right to be more restrictive. Marketing and Communications - Advertising and outreach to attract overnight visitors Venue Rentals - Facilities to host conference sessions and activities Event Operations - Equipment and staffing for conference delivery Speaker Fees - Compensation for keynotes and featured entertainment Transportation - Visitor shuttles and transit between event locations Visitor Materials - Such as programs, maps, and guides promoting the area Event Supplies - Onsite materials and items supporting visitor experience 2| Supporting Kittitas County as a tourism destination. 1. Away from their place of residence or business and staying overnight in paid accommodations; 2. To a place fifty miles or more away from their place of residence or business for the day or staying overnight; 3. Or from another country or state outside of their place of residence or business. You must provide the evidence utilized in determining your projections. Response 2.1: Why would tourists travel to Kittitas County to attend your event/activity/facility?* PLACES 2026 will bring an estimated 370+ participants to Ellensburg from across Washington and neighboring states. As the required statewide conference for all accredited Washington Main Street communities, attendance is drawn from more than 30 cities and towns statewide, every participant traveling 50+ miles to reach Ellensburg. In addition, Main Street professionals, preservation leaders, and civic partners regularly attend from Oregon and Idaho, ensuring strong out-of-state representation. The three-day format requires nearly all attendees to stay two to three nights in paid accommodations in Kittitas County hotels, motels, and short-term rentals. Participants are drawn to Ellensburg not only for the professional development offered by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and WA Main Street, but also for the chance to immerse themselves in one of Washington’s most vibrant historic downtowns. Between sessions, attendees explore local dining, shopping, museums, and cultural attractions, extending their tourism impact well beyond the conference itself. By design, PLACES 2026 fully meets the criteria of drawing visitors away from their residence, from more than 50 miles, and from out-of-state, while generating significant overnight lodging use in Kittitas County. 2500 character limit