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5| Future Plans <br />Response 5: Please explain what plans exist to allow this project to become self-sustaining. Include any plans for ticket sales, <br />event sponsors, and other cost-recovery models.* <br />PLACES is not a recurring annual event in Ellensburg; the last time our community hosted was nine years ago. However, the <br />sustainability of this investment lies in the long-term benefits and lasting impact it creates for Ellensburg and Kittitas County. <br />By hosting in 2026, Ellensburg will: <br />Position itself as a conference-ready destination, demonstrating capacity to host statewide gatherings and opening the door for <br />future cultural, heritage, and tourism-related events. <br />Generate statewide exposure by welcoming leaders from more than 30 Washington Main Street communities, plus attendees <br />from Oregon and Idaho, who will experience firsthand the vitality of Ellensburg’s historic downtown. <br />Strengthen sponsorship and community partnerships that will continue to support the Ellensburg Downtown Association and <br />other local initiatives beyond the life of this event. <br />Drive repeat visitation: conference attendees frequently return as leisure tourists, bringing family and friends to revisit places <br />discovered during their stay. <br />Financially, PLACES 2026 is supported by a combination of registration fees, sponsorships, and lodging tax funds, ensuring a <br />balanced and well-leveraged budget. While the conference itself will not recur annually in Ellensburg, the relationships built, <br />reputation gained, and economic activity generated will sustain long-term benefits for local businesses and the tourism economy. <br />2500 character limit <br />Application Questions: Part 4 <br />6| Additional Information <br />Response 6.1: Provide any additional information which will assist the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in evaluating your <br />project and its benefit to tourism. <br />Hosting PLACES 2026 in Ellensburg represents a rare and valuable opportunity to place Kittitas County on a statewide stage. <br />Nearly every attendee will be a cultural and economic ambassador for their community, returning home with firsthand experience <br />of Ellensburg’s historic downtown, vibrant arts scene, and welcoming hospitality. <br />PLACES 2026 aligns closely with LTAC priorities by: <br />Occurring in the shoulder season (October), generating hundreds of overnight stays and visitor spending during a traditionally <br />slower tourism period. <br />Drawing attendees from across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, with nearly all participants traveling more than 50 miles and <br />staying in paid accommodations. <br />Highlighting the uniqueness of Ellensburg, Washington’s Rodeo City, with a nationally recognized historic downtown, award- <br />winning arts organizations, and heritage attractions such as the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame and Kittitas County Historical <br />Museum. <br />Showcasing community support, with commitments from local government, Central Washington University, cultural institutions, <br />and business sponsors who recognize the significance of hosting this conference. <br />Driving long-term tourism benefits, as attendees discover Ellensburg for the first time and return with family and friends to <br />explore more of Kittitas County. <br />Beyond its immediate economic impact, PLACES 2026 will leave a lasting legacy by elevating Ellensburg’s profile as a <br />conference-ready destination, strengthening local partnerships, and affirming Kittitas County’s reputation as a vibrant hub for <br />heritage tourism. <br />2500 character limit