LT2026-016 VALLEY THEATRE COMPANY FINAL

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3| Impact Response 3: Describe how you will promote your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.* 4| Collaboration Response 2.2: Describe the prior success of your event/activity/facility to attract tourists.* Valley Theatre Company (VTC) has demonstrated consistent success in drawing visitors from outside Kittitas County to our productions. Ticket data from 2024–2025 shows that an average of 15–25% of attendees for each production travel more than 50 miles, even for our smaller shows (Cabaret 24.9%, Winter Play 17.5%, Rising Stars 14.7%, Summer Musical 21.6%). In July 2025, our summer production of The Sound of Music attracted 2,386 attendees across eight performances, a 14% increase from the prior year, averaging just under 300 per show. A new Independence Day “Pay-What-You-Can” performance drew 513 attendees (our third-highest single performance in 20+ years), with 14.6% from outside 50 miles in Washington and 4.5% from out of state. Partnering with the Ellensburg Arts & Cultural Alliance, we successfully cross-promoted Ignite the Arts, positioning Ellensburg as a holiday arts destination. In 2025 we captured zip codes for 81.4% of attendees. Results showed 80.5% from Kittitas County, 19.5% from over 50 miles in Washington, and 3.1% from out of state (tripling 2024’s out-of-state percentage). Applying these percentages to total sales (4,915 tickets) means an estimated 808 visitors came from outside the county and 151 from out of state, totaling 959 attendees from more than 50 miles away. Local residents also frequently purchase tickets for visiting family and friends, suggesting actual travel numbers are higher. Visitor spending translates into measurable lodging and economic impact. Using Dean Runyan Report data: • 35% of out-of-town guests stayed in hotels/motels (≈336 people) • 28% visited for the day only (≈268 people) • 37% stayed with family/friends. For paid lodging, the average party size was 2.3 people for 2.5 nights. Based on this, our 2025 season generated an estimated 368.5 room nights. With Kittitas County’s average seasonal room rates ($100–$137), this equates to $47,452 in lodging revenue. Using the Chamber’s estimate of $205 per day-tripper, we calculate an additional $23,933 in county revenue generated from attendee spending on food, gas, and shopping. These results show that VTC productions not only attract substantial numbers of tourists, but also drive significant overnight stays and visitor spending, contributing directly to the cultural and economic vitality of Kittitas County. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 2 • Target Facebook and social media ads to the greater Central Washington region • List the event in online event calendars regionally and with statewide arts supporters and organizations • Work collaboratively with other community / semiprofessional theaters in the region to promote the event • Advertise the event regionally (with a focus on Chelan, Yakima, Grant and King Counties) at appropriate venues (which may include online community boards, radio ads, displays at events or venues, or other marketing opportunities as appropriate). • Link to the County Tourism Website • Link to the Chamber of Commerce • Add events to the local 2026 visitors guide - including online banner ads and email blasts • Use branding logo, fonts and credit the support received on our website, Facebook page, etc. • Link to county accommodations and restaurant opportunities. • Print advertising and mailers displaying our season of shows with event dates and info links for distribution at hotels and businesses that are higher traffic areas for tourists. • Develop Experience Partner “packages” with local businesses – i.e. restaurants, hotels for “dinner and a play” or a “weekend stay and play” to cross-promote with local businesses and encourage more overnight guests. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 3