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3| Impact <br />Response 2.2: Describe the prior success of your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.* <br />EDA events have a strong record of attracting out-of-county visitors and generating measurable economic impact. With 2025 <br />lodging tax funds, we have already seen significant increases in attendance and engagement, with more than half the year ’s <br />events still ahead. <br />From January–September 2025, website traffic grew by 35% compared to the same period in 2024, and overall event <br />attendance has increased by 18%, reflecting the direct impact of enhanced LTAC-supported marketing. <br />Girls Night Out (Spring 2025): 370 bingo cards distributed; 18% completed by visitors from outside Kittitas County (Seattle, <br />Spokane, Yakima, Oregon, California). Businesses reported strong results, including Gard Vintners selling 117 bottles of wine in <br />one evening (vs. 25–30 typical). Raffle ticket sales equated to $22k–$44k in estimated revenue. Social media reached 20,000+, <br />with 25% non-followers. <br />Hoedown in the Downtown (2025): Attendance exceeded 1,200, with ~15% out-of-town visitors tied to the headliner. A $300 ad <br />spend produced 79,000+ boosted views, while Messenger ads generated 101,000 impressions, 2,530 taps, and 561 hours of <br />exposure. LTAC funds allowed us to book regional/national talent, broadening the statewide draw. <br />Night Market Series (2025): Mid-week event, 800+ attendees per market, with 280 in the first hour (tracked at entrances). More <br />than 30 vendors participated alongside food trucks and live entertainment. Coverage by KIMA TV and the Daily Record <br />expanded regional visibility. <br />Holiday Series (2024): The “Moments to Remember” tree lighting drew 1,000+, many from Puget Sound seeking a traditional <br />holiday experience. Girls Night Out Holiday and Plaid Friday reinforced Ellensburg as a regional shopping destination. My <br />Ellensburg’s partnership with Seattle Refined promoted Ellensburg as a festive getaway. <br />Buskers in the Burg is an event that highlights many types of performance art. With ties to the Fremont Solstice Parade and <br />added draw due to the larger-than-life puppets from Blue Bear Puppet Lab, this event draws crowds from across the state. <br />These results demonstrate consistent visitor demand, strong ROI on LTAC-supported marketing, and direct alignment with the <br />county’s tourism strategy, which identifies Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Yakima, Spokane, and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro as top <br />visitor markets. <br />2500 character limit <br />Application Questions: Part 2