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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLT2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES FINAL LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 1 2026 LODGING TAX SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN KITTITAS COUNTY AND ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION This Contract, effective January 1, 2026, is made and entered into by and between KITTITAS COUNTY acting as agent for and on behalf of the CONSOLIDATED LODGING TAX COMMITTEE (“County”), and ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION (“Contractor”) for PLACES CONFERENCE 2026 (“Event”). WHEREAS, the purpose of this Agreement is to provide for activities and expenditures designed to increase tourism, and; WHEREAS, the constituent members of the Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee are Kittitas County, City of Roslyn, City of Cle Elum, and the City of Ellensburg (the cities are individually and collectively referred to in this Agreement as “City”); NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions contained herein, or attached and incorporated and made a part hereof, the County and the Contractor mutually agree as follows: Section 1. Scope of Work. a. Contractor shall provide the services and resources described in its Application for Lodging Tax Funds submitted to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, attached as Exhibit “A” which is incorporated herein by reference. b. To perform the services described in Paragraph (a) above and in accordance with this Agreement, Contractor shall furnish necessary equipment, property, personnel, labor, supervision, and all necessary technical, professional, and other services. All such services, property, and other items furnished or required to be furnished, together with all other obligations performed or required to be performed by Contractor under this Agreement, are collectively referred to herein as the “Services.” c. Contractor shall commence, perform and complete such Services in accordance with Exhibit “B” which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. Section 2. Compensation. a. Pursuant to the grant award for year 2026, the maximum compensation allowed under this Agreement is $5,500. b. Compensation under this Agreement shall be provided on a reimbursement basis upon submission of a proper reimbursement request accompanied by the required supporting documentation for the applicable expenses (including, without limitation, receipts and invoices). c. Reimbursable expenses must be incurred between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. All reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than January 11, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 2 d. Requests for reimbursements must be submitted to: Kittitas County Auditor Attn: Auditor’s Accounting 205 West 5th Ave – Suite 105 Ellensburg, WA 98926 auditorsaccounting@co.kittitas.wa.us e. Reporting requirements of your events will be required on prescribed forms from the County Auditor. f. Contractor is eligible to claim reimbursement only for the following items and in the amounts specified below: • 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 g. For event-related expenses, Contractors shall submit all reimbursement requests, together with the required supporting documentation, in no more than two (2) reimbursement requests submitted at the conclusion of the applicable event. Contractor is not eligible to claim reimbursement for any items not listed in Section 2 (f). h. Contractors must complete the Lodging Tax Reimbursement online training course provided by the County Auditor’s office prior to submitting a reimbursement request. Requests for reimbursement will not be accepted or approved by the County Auditor prior to the training being completed. The training may be found online at the Kittitas County Auditor’s website at the following address: http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/auditor/default.aspx i. Lodging Tax funds provided under this Agreement shall be used solely for the activities, operations, and expenditures expressly authorized herein. If the Contractor: (i) fails to expend the Lodging Tax funds in accordance with this Agreement, and/or (ii) uses such funds for any unauthorized purpose, then any funds received and not properly expended or accounted for shall, without prejudice to any other available remedy or penalty, be repaid to the County together with interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum. Section 3. General Terms and Conditions. a. Assignment and Subcontracting: This Agreement may not be assigned or subcontracted in whole or in part without the express prior written approval of the County. Any such assignment or subcontracting without the County’s prior written consent shall be voidable at the County’s option. LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 3 b. Independent Contractor: Contractor’s services shall be furnished by Contractor as an independent contractor, and nothing stated herein shall be construed to create a relationship of employer-employee or a guarantee of future employment. Contractor acknowledges that its entire compensation under this Agreement is specified in Attachment "B", and that Contractor is not entitled to any County benefits, including but not limited to: vacation pay, holiday pay, sick leave pay, medical, dental, or other insurance benefits, or any other rights or privileges afforded to County employees. c. Nondiscrimination: Contractor will not discriminate against any recipient of any services or benefits provided for under this Agreement on the grounds of age, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. d. Right to Review; Maintenance of Records: This Agreement is subject to review by any Federal or State auditor. The County or their designee shall have the right to review and monitor the financial and service components of the work performed under this Agreement by whatever means are deemed expedient by the County. Such review may occur with or without notice, and may include, without limitation, on-site inspection, inspection of all records or other materials which the County deems pertinent, and any and all communications with or evaluation by service recipients under this Agreement. Contractor shall preserve and maintain all records relating to this Agreement for six (6) years after termination or expiration of the Agreement, and upon request shall make them available for review by any Federal or State auditor, the County and/or any persons authorized by the County. For such duration after the County makes final payment of compensation due hereunder, Contractor shall provide the County access to (and the County shall have the right to examine, audit and copy, with or without notice) all of Contractor’s books, documents, papers and records related to the Services or this Agreement. e. Taxes: Contractor understands and acknowledges that neither the County will not withhold Federal or State income taxes from payments made to Contractor. Where required by State or Federal law, Contractor authorizes the County to make withholding for any taxes other than income taxes (e.g., Medicare). All compensation received by Contractor will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service at the end of the calendar year in accordance with applicable IRS regulations. It is the responsibility of Contractor to make its necessary estimated tax payments throughout the year, if any, and Contractor is solely liable for any tax obligation arising from Contractor’s performance of this Agreement. The County will pay sales and use taxes imposed on goods or services acquired hereunder as required by law. Contractor must pay all other taxes, including but not limited to: business and occupation tax; or taxes based on (1) Contractor’s gross or net income, or (2) personal property to which the County does not hold title. The County is exempt from federal excise tax. LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 4 f. Non-Transferability of Grant Assets: The Grantee is prohibited from pledging, mortgaging, assigning, or otherwise encumbering any grant funds or property acquired or improved with such funds. Any such attempt shall be considered null and void and unenforceable against Kittitas County. Section 4. Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Contractor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the County and their departments, elected and appointed officials, employees, agents and volunteers, harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to court costs, attorney's fees and alternative dispute resolution costs, for any personal or bodily injury, sickness, disease or death, for any damage to or destruction of any property (including the loss of use resulting therefrom), and for any other claims, damages, losses, and expenses sustained by the County, which (1) are caused in whole or in part by any act or omission, negligent or otherwise, of Contractor, its employees, agents or volunteers, or Contractor’s subcontractors, their employees, agents or volunteers; or (2) are directly or indirectly arising out of, resulting from, or otherwise connected with the performance of this Agreement; or (3) are based upon Contractor’s or its subcontractors’ use of, presence upon or proximity to the property of the County. This indemnification obligation of Contractor shall not apply in the limited circumstance where the claim, damage, loss or expense is caused by the sole negligence of the County. This indemnification obligation of Contractor shall not be limited in any way by the Washington State Industrial Insurance Act, RCW Title 51, or by application of any other workmen's compensation act, disability benefit act or other employee benefit act, and Contractor hereby expressly waives any immunity afforded by such acts. The foregoing indemnification obligations of Contractor are a material inducement to the County to enter into this Agreement, are reflected in Contractor’s compensation, and have been mutually negotiated by the parties. The County reserves the right, but not the obligation, to participate in the defense of any claim for damages, losses or expenses, and such participation shall not constitute a waiver of Contractor’s indemnity obligations contained in any section of this Agreement. In the event Contractor enters into subcontracts to the extent allowed under this Agreement, each such subcontractor shall indemnify the County on a basis equal to or exceeding Contractor’s indemnity obligations to the County. Section 5. Termination. a. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual written agreement of the parties. b. The County, by giving written notice, may terminate this Agreement at any time without cause and without further obligation to Contractor except for payment due for deliverables provided and/or services performed prior to the effective date of termination. An equitable adjustment in the contracted price for partially completed tasks will be made by the County, but such adjustment shall not include compensation for loss of anticipated profit on uncompleted work. LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 5 c. If Contractor defaults by failing to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement, or becomes insolvent, is declared bankrupt or commits any act of bankruptcy or insolvency, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, the County may, by written notice to Contractor, terminate the Agreement, and at the County's option, obtain performance of the work elsewhere. If the Agreement is terminated under this paragraph, Contractor shall not be entitled to receive any further payments under this Agreement until all of its obligations hereunder have been fully performed, and any extra cost or damage to the County shall be deducted from any money due or coming due to Contractor. Furthermore, in the event of termination under this paragraph, Contractor shall bear the costs of any extra expenses incurred by the County in completing the work, and all damages sustained, or which may be sustained, by the County. d. If the termination results from acts or omissions of Contractor, including but not limited to misappropriation of funds provided hereunder, nonperformance of required services, and/or fiscal mismanagement, Contractor shall return to the County immediately any funds, misappropriated or unexpended, which have been paid to the Contractor by the County, together with applicable interest calculated at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum. e. Termination of this Agreement by any means provided herein shall not excuse any party’s performance of its obligations hereunder through the effective date of termination, except that the County shall not be obligated to pay for services that have not been performed or deliverables that have not been provided. Section 6. Miscellaneous. a. Cities as a Party. The other constituent members of the Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee (Cities of Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg) are not direct parties to this Agreement but are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and to the extent set forth herein certain of its provisions are for the benefit of these Cities and are enforceable by these Cities in their own names (collectively and/or individually) and in their capacities as Washington municipal corporation(s). b. Contractor Commitments, Warranties, and Representations: Contractor represents and warrants as follows: b.1. Contractor represents that it has been duly authorized by the County to enter into this Agreement and to perform the obligations set forth herein. Contractor warrants that it possesses all necessary legal authority to enter into and perform this Agreement. b.2. Contractor has the authority to execute this Agreement, to make the representations and warranties set forth herein, and to perform its obligations hereunder. b.3. This Agreement has been validly executed by an authorized representative of Contractor and constitutes a valid and legally binding and enforceable obligation of Contractor. LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 6 b.4. Contractor holds, or will obtain prior to commencing work under this Agreement, such licenses, permits and other authorizations from federal, state and local governmental authorities, or from any applicable industrial or professional certification or licensing bodies, as are necessary for the lawful performance of its obligations under this Agreement, and will maintain such throughout the term of this Agreement. b.5. Contractor is not in violation of any applicable law, ordinance or regulation the consequence of which will or may materially affect Contractor's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Contractor is not subject to any order or judgment of any court, tribunal or governmental agency which materially and adversely affects its operations or assets in the State of Washington, or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement. b.6. Contractor is not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency. b.7. None of the representations or warranties in this Agreement, and none of the documents, statements, certificates or schedules furnished by Contractor in connection with the performance of the obligations contemplated under this Agreement, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit a material fact necessary to make the statements of fact contained therein not misleading. c. Waiver: The waiver of any default or breach of this Agreement, or the failure of a party to enforce any provision hereof or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder, shall not be deemed to waive any prior or subsequent default or breach, the enforcement of any provision hereof, or the exercise of any right or privilege hereunder, unless otherwise stated in a writing, signed by the parties hereto. d. Ownership of Items Produced: All writings, programs, data, reports, films, recordings, or other materials prepared by Contractor and/or its consultants or subcontractors, in connection with the performance of this Agreement, shall be the sole and absolute property of the County. The County will have all rights of ownership therein, including but not limited to the right to use, copyright, trademark, and/or patent, and the ability to transfer any or all ownership rights. e. Complete Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any and all other agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, oral or written, express or implied, regarding the work to be performed hereunder. The parties agree that no other representations, inducements, promises, agreements, or warranties relating to this Agreement, oral or otherwise, have been made between the parties. Except as provided elsewhere in this Agreement, no modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless in writing and signed by the parties. LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 7 f. Notice: Notice for any purpose under this Agreement, except service of process, shall be given by the Contractor to the Kittitas County Commissioners and the Kittitas County Auditor, 205 W 5th Ave. Ellensburg, WA 98926. For all purposes under this Agreement, any notice by the County to the Contractor shall be given to the Contractor’s address provided on the signature page. Notice may be given by delivery or by depositing in the U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested. g. Headings: The headings of sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not intended to restrict, affect, or be of any weight in the interpretation or construction of the provisions of such sections or paragraphs. h. Severability: If any term or condition of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person(s) or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other terms, conditions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid term, condition or application. To this end, the terms and conditions of this Agreement are declared to be severable.. i. Venue and Choice of Laws: In the event that any litigation should arise concerning this Agreement, the venue for such action shall be in the Superior Court of the State of Washington in and for the County of Kittitas. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington. j. Force Majeure; Termination without Liability. The performance of this Agreement is subject to termination without liability by either party upon the occurrence, or upon the prediction by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, any other agency of the United States Government, or any agency of the Government of the State of Washington of the occurrence of any circumstance beyond the control of either party—including, without limitation, acts of God, war, acts of terrorism within a fifty (50) mile radius of Kittitas County, government regulations, disaster, pandemic/epidemic illness, strikes or threat of strikes (except that neither party may terminate this Agreement for situations involving that party’s own employees), civil disorder, or curtailment of transportation facilities—to the extent that such circumstance makes it illegal , impossible or economically impracticable for the parties to complete the duties and mutual obligations agreed upon and imposed upon them herein. The ability to terminate this Agreement without liability pursuant to this paragraph is conditioned upon delivery of written notice from one party to the other within 10 days of such occurrence or upon delivery of written notice from one party to the other within 24 hours of the receipt of notice of the prediction of any of the above occurrences. To the extent feasible within the constraints imposed by any event of the type described above, the parties agree that if the triggering event is of apparently or likely transitory effect, the parties may negotiate such amendments to the agreement that are mutually satisfactory and not otherwise contrary to law, including but not limited to a change in the dates for completion of any portion or the entirety of this agreement. LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 8 k. Time: Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement unless otherwise agreed between the parties in a signed writing. l. Construction: This Agreement has been mutually reviewed and negotiated by the parties, and should not be construed against the drafter. m. Agreement Not for Benefit of Third Parties: This Agreement is entered into solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and vests no rights in, nor is it enforceable by, any third parties. LT-2026-004 ELLENSBURG DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION-PLACES _______2026 County Lodging Tax Funding Agreement Page 9 KITTITAS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CONTRACTOR ________________________________ ______________________________ Chair [Print Name] ________________________________ Vice Chair [Sign Name] Commissioner [Address] Telephone] Date signed: ________________________________ ATTEST: _________________________ Clerk of the Board Letter to Prospective Applicants Dear Prospective Applicants, Thank you for considering applying for the 2026 Lodging Tax Fund. As a crucial part of our community's efforts to bolster tourism and enrich our local culture, we are excited to outline the specific goals and priorities of the Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee for the upcoming year. Our committee is dedicated to supporting events that not only draw visitors to our community but also contribute to its long-term vitality and prosperity. To this end, we are particularly focused on the following criteria for 2026: Off-Season Events: We are eager to fund events that take place during off-peak times, as these have the potential to stimulate economic activity during typically slower periods. Priority will be given to proposals for new events that diversify our community's offerings and attract visitors throughout the year. Uniqueness of Event: We seek events that stand out for their originality, creativity, and distinctiveness. Whether through innovative programming, cultural significance, or immersive experiences, we are interested in supporting events that capture the imagination and leave a lasting impression on attendees. Community Support and Strategic Alignment: It is essential that funded events have a tangible impact on the community in which they are held and align with its strategic goals. We encourage applicants to demonstrate how their event will contribute to local businesses, promote cultural exchange, or enhance community well-being, among other objectives. Emphasis on Tourism from Outside the 50-Mile Radius: Proposals should outline strategies for marketing and outreach to attract visitors from neighboring regions and beyond, thereby maximizing the economic and cultural benefits of the event. (RCW 67.28.1816) We believe that by prioritizing these criteria, we can support events that not only drive tourism but also foster community engagement, stimulate economic growth, and showcase the unique identity of Kittitas County. We encourage all interested applicants to carefully review the guidelines and criteria outlined in the application materials and to submit proposals that align closely with our goals and priorities. Together, we can create memorable experiences that enrich our community and leave a lasting legacy for years to come. Thank you for your interest in the 2026 Lodging Tax Fund. We look forward to receiving your applications and working together to make Kittitas County a vibrant destination for visitors and residents alike. Sincerely, Consolidated Lodging Tax Committee EXHIBIT A LTAC Application You are strongly encouraged to compose your responses to the questions of this form with a desktop text editor and save your work, then copy and paste the information into the form. You may also save a draft by selecting the button at the bottom of this page. When you do this you will be logged out and must log back in to continue. In order to save a draft you will need to provide an email address and a password. After completing the save draft, you will be redirected to landing page containing a link to log back into the form. We suggest you save this link as a bookmark. The link will also be sent to you in an email. Did you attend the Grant Application Workshop for the current year hosted by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce?* Confirmation and Acknowledgement:* Name of Organization * Organization Address * Organization Classification * Upload Proof of Organization Status (NOTE: incorrect/incomplete documentation will disqualify the application)* NOTE: The project contact listed below MUST be a volunteer/member/employee of the organization requesting funds. First Name * Last Name * Yes No I have read and understand Submittal Instructions and General Information for the Lodging Tax Grant Funding Process. I acknowledge that a representative for my organization will need to attend (either virtually or in-person) the oral presentation meeting to answer questions. Organization Information Ellensburg Downtown Association City ELLENSBURG State / Province / Region Washington Postal / Zip Code 98926 Country United States Mailing Address 109 E 3rd AVE Business Non-Profit Click here to view sample documents (redacted). Acceptable file formats include: JPG, PDF or TIFF 501c-3 State letter.pdf 51.89KB Project Contact Information Katie Holm Phone Number * Email * Project/Event Name * Project/Event Location * New or Ongoing Project/Event?* Please provide any specific dates, or range of dates, on which your event or project will be held. You may add as many dates or date ranges as necessary.* Start Dates *End Dates Service Categories * Tourism Seasons * Amount of Funding Requested * Funding Request Max 1| Project/Event Description 509-962-6246 community@ellensburgdowntown.org Project or Event Information PLACES Conference 2026 Ellensburg, WA Ongoing Project/Event (More than four years in existence) New Project/Event (Four or fewer years in existence) 10/7/2026 10/9/2026 Check all categories that apply to this application Tourism promotion/marketing Operation of a special event designed to attract tourists Operation of a tourism related facility Other From the list below, what season will your project enhance tourism? Select any which apply. Year-round (January - December) Off Season (November - February) Shoulder Season (October or March - May) High Season (June - September) If you selected "Ongoing Project/Event" above, this amount may not exceed 10% of the total expense budget of this project. 20000.00$ 20,000.00 Please answer each of the following questions completely, in the order listed. Please include any supporting data within the response narrative. Application Questions: Part 1 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 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.* The PLACES Conference has a proven track record of attracting hundreds of visitors from across Washington State and the Pacific Northwest. Each year, the conference is hosted in a different community, and attendance consistently ranges from 300– 400 participants. Nearly all attendees travel more than 50 miles to attend, with the majority staying in paid lodging for multiple nights. 2024 – Walla Walla: The PLACES Walla Walla Impact Report shows 385 attendees came from across the country, including Idaho, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and central and southern Oregon. About 46% of attendees had never been to Walla Walla, and on average, they reported being very likely to return for a future visit. Attendees stayed an average of 2.4 nights and spent $380 each (excluding lodging and registration). For the 238 non-local attendees, this generated an estimated local impact of $173,272. 2023 – Vancouver: PLACES in Vancouver drew over 347 registrants, who stayed an average of 2.5 nights and spent $253 each (excluding lodging and registration). This generated an estimated local impact of $204,779. Conference feedback was extremely positive—of the 88 evaluations received, 97% of respondents said they would attend again or recommend the conference to others. 2022 – Wenatchee: PLACES in Wenatchee welcomed 295 attendees, marking the first conference since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees stayed an average of 2.4 nights and spent $290 each (excluding lodging and registration). The lodging and spending of 242 non-local attendees generated an estimated local impact of $168,794. Because attendance is required for accredited Washington Main Street communities, the conference always draws representatives from more than 30 cities and towns across the state. This guarantees a diverse geographic spread, long- distance travel, and substantial lodging demand. Additionally, conference marketing attracts professionals from neighboring states, further contributing to out-of-state visitation. By rotating locations, PLACES consistently demonstrates its ability to shine a spotlight on the host community while driving measurable tourism impacts. Hosting PLACES 2026 in Ellensburg will replicate and build upon this success, filling hotel rooms, energizing downtown businesses, and showcasing Kittitas County as a premier cultural and heritage tourism destination. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 2 Marketing for PLACES 2026 will be coordinated through the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and WA Main Street, reaching thousands of contacts statewide and beyond. Outreach will include digital and print campaigns, direct mail, social media, and earned media in preservation and tourism channels. With the support of LTAC funding, attendees will also receive promotional materials highlighting downtown Ellensburg, such as maps, wayfinding guides, and other resources, to encourage exploration and engagement with local businesses. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 3 Response 4.1: If your organization collaborates or has created partnerships with other organizations, groups, or other events, how is this accomplished?* Response 4.2: Describe how you will promote lodging establishments, restaurants, and business located in Kittitas County * Response 4.3: Is there a host hotel for your event or grant project? If yes, list the hotel.* Collaboration for PLACES 2026 is accomplished through a statewide host committee composed of the Ellensburg Downtown Association, Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and Washington Main Street. This committee meets twice monthly throughout the planning year and will increase to weekly meetings in the month prior to the conference to ensure seamless execution. A shared workplan guides decision-making, highlights opportunities to integrate local businesses, restaurants, and venues, and ensures that Ellensburg’s local talent and amenities are showcased to statewide visitors. To secure the hosting bid, the committee exceeded the required sponsorship threshold, demonstrating strong community buy-in. Letters of commitment were provided by the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Ellensburg, the Kittitas County Commissioners, and the Office of the President at Central Washington University, underscoring the depth of local and regional support. Partnerships with lodging establishments are formalized through coordinated room blocks and cross-promotion. The top five recommended hotels in Ellensburg have collaborated to create competitive room rates across all properties, ensuring that conference attendees have convenient, affordable options while maximizing overnight stays in Kittitas County. Cultural partners play a direct role in programming. Gallery One, the Clymer Museum, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ellensburg Rodeo, the Rodeo Hall of Fame, the Kittitas County Historical Museum, and the Ellensburg Arts and Cultural Alliance could host sessions, receptions, and evening events, tying the conference experience directly to Ellensburg’s arts and heritage community. Corporate sponsors are engaged through tailored sponsorship packages, joint marketing campaigns, and recognition opportunities throughout the conference. Through these partnerships, coordinated planning, shared resources, and collective promotion, PLACES 2026 is positioned not only to deliver a high-quality conference, but to maximize its tourism impact, filling hotels, drawing visitors into downtown, and showcasing Ellensburg’s unique identity to a statewide and regional audience. 2500 character limit Promotion of local lodging, restaurants, and businesses is central to the PLACES 2026 conference experience. From the initial registration process through on-site programming, attendees will be guided to explore and support Ellensburg’s downtown and greater Kittitas County. Lodging Establishments – Conference registration materials, the official PLACES website, and direct communications will include dedicated lodging information, including links to room blocks and negotiated group rates at Ellensburg’s top hotels. Hotel Windrow will serve as the host hotel, and additional lodging partners will be highlighted equally, ensuring broad distribution of overnight stays across properties. Restaurants & Culinary Experiences – Attendee itineraries and print materials will feature downtown dining options, coffee shops, and breweries, encouraging participants to explore a variety of local establishments. Scheduled breaks and evening receptions are intentionally designed to leave time for meals out in the community. Retail & Local Businesses – A printed conference guide and attendee program will spotlight downtown shops, galleries, and service businesses. Maps and itineraries will direct attendees to explore during free time between sessions. Businesses will also be invited to offer promotions or “conference specials” to drive visitor traffic. Cultural & Heritage Attractions – Museums, galleries, and historic sites will host sessions and receptions, weaving visitor experiences directly into the event and ensuring attendees engage with Ellensburg’s arts and heritage destinations. Through intentional design, PLACES 2026 transforms the host community into part of the conference experience. By positioning local lodging establishments, restaurants, and businesses as essential components of the event, the conference maximizes its tourism impact, filling hotel rooms and driving significant spending into the downtown core and broader Kittitas County economy. 2500 character limit No Yes 5| Future Plans Response 5: Please explain what plans exist to allow this project to become self-sustaining. Include any plans for ticket sales, event sponsors, and other cost-recovery models.* PLACES is not a recurring annual event in Ellensburg; the last time our community hosted was nine years ago. However, the sustainability of this investment lies in the long-term benefits and lasting impact it creates for Ellensburg and Kittitas County. By hosting in 2026, Ellensburg will: Position itself as a conference-ready destination, demonstrating capacity to host statewide gatherings and opening the door for future cultural, heritage, and tourism-related events. Generate statewide exposure by welcoming leaders from more than 30 Washington Main Street communities, plus attendees from Oregon and Idaho, who will experience firsthand the vitality of Ellensburg’s historic downtown. Strengthen sponsorship and community partnerships that will continue to support the Ellensburg Downtown Association and other local initiatives beyond the life of this event. Drive repeat visitation: conference attendees frequently return as leisure tourists, bringing family and friends to revisit places discovered during their stay. Financially, PLACES 2026 is supported by a combination of registration fees, sponsorships, and lodging tax funds, ensuring a balanced and well-leveraged budget. While the conference itself will not recur annually in Ellensburg, the relationships built, reputation gained, and economic activity generated will sustain long-term benefits for local businesses and the tourism economy. 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 4 6| Additional Information Response 6.1: Provide any additional information which will assist the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee in evaluating your project and its benefit to tourism. Hosting PLACES 2026 in Ellensburg represents a rare and valuable opportunity to place Kittitas County on a statewide stage. Nearly every attendee will be a cultural and economic ambassador for their community, returning home with firsthand experience of Ellensburg’s historic downtown, vibrant arts scene, and welcoming hospitality. PLACES 2026 aligns closely with LTAC priorities by: Occurring in the shoulder season (October), generating hundreds of overnight stays and visitor spending during a traditionally slower tourism period. Drawing attendees from across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, with nearly all participants traveling more than 50 miles and staying in paid accommodations. Highlighting the uniqueness of Ellensburg, Washington’s Rodeo City, with a nationally recognized historic downtown, award- winning arts organizations, and heritage attractions such as the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame and Kittitas County Historical Museum. Showcasing community support, with commitments from local government, Central Washington University, cultural institutions, and business sponsors who recognize the significance of hosting this conference. Driving long-term tourism benefits, as attendees discover Ellensburg for the first time and return with family and friends to explore more of Kittitas County. Beyond its immediate economic impact, PLACES 2026 will leave a lasting legacy by elevating Ellensburg’s profile as a conference-ready destination, strengthening local partnerships, and affirming Kittitas County’s reputation as a vibrant hub for heritage tourism. 2500 character limit Response 6.2: You may upload any supporting documents such as graphs, images, diagrams, marketing materials, etc. You are allowed to submit up to 3 single page (US Letter) documents in JPG, PDF or TIFF format RevitalizeWA 2023 Summary & Impact Report.pdf 332.52KB RevitalizeWA 2022 Summary & Impact Report.pdf 344.52KB PLACES 2024 Summary & Impact Report.pdf 344.14KB 7| Previous Lodging Tax Grant Information Response 7.1: Has your event received Lodging Tax funds in previous years?* No, this event/project has not previously received Lodging Tax Funding Yes, 1 year previous Yes, 2 years previous Yes, 3 years previous Yes, 4 or more years previous Response 7.2: Overall Attendance * Past Actual *Projected * 0 370 Response 7.3: Number of people travelling more than 50 miles for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 0 357 Response 7.4: Number of people traveling from outside WA State for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 0 25 Response 7.5: The number of overnight guests who stay in paid accommodations in Kittitas County for your event?* Past Actual *Projected * 0 333 Response 7.6: Number of paid lodging room nights resulting from you event/activity/facility?* Past Actual *Projected * 0 833 Response 7.7: In addition to fields above, you may upload the evidence to support the prior years' room/night information. You may upload up to three single pages (US Letter), of information. If you a single multi-page document, only the first three pages will be considered. The following formats, will be accepted: JPG, PDF or TIFF Response 7.8: What methodology did you use to calculate the prior years' actual numbers?* Direct Count (preferred) Indirect Count Representative Survey Informal Survey (preferred) Structured Estimate Other 8| Funding Response 8.1: Does your organization have, or have you applied for funding from other sources?* Funding Source Amount Response 8.3: What changes will be made if funding for your request is not available or recommended?* Matching Funds Percentage 9| Project Budget Overview Response 7.9: What methodology will you use to calculate the upcoming numbers?* Direct Count (preferred) Indirect Count Representative Survey Informal Survey (preferred) Structured Estimate Other Response 7.10: Please explain your methodology.* Please explain. Projections for PLACES 2026 are based on historical enrollment and participation data from previous PLACES conferences hosted in comparable Washington communities, including Wenatchee (2022), Vancouver (2023), Walla Walla (2024), and Gig Harbor (2025). Each of these conferences drew between 295–385 attendees, with the majority traveling more than 50 miles and requiring paid lodging. For Ellensburg, we have: Attendance projected at 370, based on past enrollment trends and conference capacity. Overnight stays estimated at +90% of attendees, consistent with prior years’ data showing most participants require lodging. Room nights calculated using an average stay length of 2.5 nights (drawn from WA Trust’s reporting on previous host communities). 2500 character limit Application Questions: Part 5 Yes No Response 8.2b: List all funding sources and amounts for which you have applied but have not yet secured.* Committed In Kind Sponsorship 11,000.00$ Committed Cash Sponsorship 14,500.00$ If LTAC funding is not awarded, the Ellensburg Downtown Association and statewide host committee will pursue additional sponsorship dollars to close the gap. While we have already met the sponsorship threshold required to host PLACES 2026, new outreach would be necessary to secure funding specifically for the tourism-related elements of the conference; including attendee transportation, entertainment, and printed attendee experience material. Without LTAC support, the conference itself would still proceed; however, our ability to maximize lodging impact and fully promote Kittitas County businesses, restaurants, and attractions would be reduced. Additional sponsorship would be directed toward those specific areas to ensure attendees are encouraged to stay longer, explore more, and spend more in Ellensburg and the surrounding communities. 2500 character limit. 127.50 This field will auto fill with the correct percentage based on your input to budget section below. Please complete budget for this project/proposal. If your agency operates independently of this project application it may not be necessary to submit the entire agency budget. You must submit a budget which specifically pertains to the project/event for which you are requesting funding and adheres to the basic budget format shown below. The budget must include anticipated revenues, expenditures, and any potential profit or loss. For projects/events which are ongoing for more than one (1) year, please also submit actuals from the previous three (3) years of operations (need not be consecutive) for the project/proposal if applicable. For any claimed in-kind contributions valued at $500 or more and related to marketing/advertising, you must submit verifying documentation which assures the contribution will be provided. For instance, if you are claiming in-kind contributions in the form of advertising match, a binding contract itemizing the matching value and obligating each party must be provided. ATTENTION: In an effort to allow an adequate level of flexibility for all applicants, not all fields in the budget portion are required to be filled before this form is submitted. Providing all applicable data is your responsibility, failure to do so will potentially jeopardize your application's chance for review. Budget Year Edit if necessary Revenues Account Name Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected Verification of In-kind Contributions Contributions of Volunteer Time Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected Number of Hours Evidence of Volunteer Contributions * Calculated Value of Projected Volunteer Time 2023 2024 2025 2026 LTAC Grant Funding 0.00$0.00$0.00$20,000.00$ Other Revenues Ellensburg Downtown Association 0.00$0.00$0.00$10000.00$ SSF 0.00$0.00$0.00$2500.00$ TM Construction 0.00$0.00$0.00$1250.00$ Manastash Architecture Planning Development 0.00$0.00$0.00$750.00$ In-Kind Contributions Hotel Windrow 0.00$0.00$0.00$9500.00$ Kittitas County Historical Museum 0.00$0.00$0.00$1500.00$ For any claimed in-kind contributions valued at $500 or more and related to marketing/advertising, you must submit verifying documentation which assures the contribution will be provided. PLACES LTAC - Supplemental Materials.pdf 931.69KB 720 Please upload a single file which offers evidence in support of the projected volunteer hours. 2024 WSMSP Annual Report - signed copy.pdf 2.21MB 16,963.20$ Total Revenues Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected Expenses Expense Item Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected Expense Totals Profit & Loss Past Actual 3 Past Actual 2 Past Actual 1 Projected The applicant hereby certifies and affirms: 1. That it does not now, nor will it during the performance of any contract arising from this application, unlawfully discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, client, customer, or other person who might benefit from said contract, by reason of age, race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, military status, sexual orientation, creed, place of birth, or disability; 2. That it will abide by all relevant local, state and federal laws and regulations and; 3. That it has read the information contained in the Instructions on pages 1 and 2 and understands and will comply with all provisions thereof. Certified by:* Name * Applicant's Title * 0.00$0.00$0.00$62463.20$ Marketing & Communication 0.00$0.00$0.00$2500.00$ Facility Rentals 0.00$0.00$0.00$3000.00$ Event Operations 0.00$0.00$0.00$2800.00$ Speaker Fees 0.00$0.00$0.00$2500.00$ Transportation Costs for Attendees 0.00$0.00$0.00$4000.00$ Visitor Materials 0.00$0.00$0.00$2700.00$ Event Supplies 0.00$0.00$0.00$2500.00$ 0.00$0.00$0.00$20000.00$ 0.00$0.00$0.00$42463.20$ Application Certification Katie Holm Director of Community Engagement Exhibit “B” Guidelines and Requirements for Expenditure Reimbursements from Lodging Tax Section 1. Branding Contractors who have been approved to utilize grant awards for advertising expenditures must incorporate Kittitas County and the appropriate City of Cle Elum, Ellensburg, or Roslyn tourism information as follows: A. Websites and Social Media Sites must include the County’s and appropriate City’s tourism website logo or URL with an operational link to the site(s). The URL landing page must use the correct logos and have a link to centralwashingtonoutdoor.com. Contractors must either keep the landing page active until time of reimbursement or use a screen capture for full reimbursement. (If you are using a live logo as the link to CWO, please ensure the hyperlink is shown in the screen capture). The logo must be displayed on the contractor’s home page, it must be sized no smaller than ½ inch in height and must be surrounded by appropriate white space to allow easy recognition and legibility. Contractors shall not change the logo(s) in color or appearance. B. Print Advertising and Online Display Advertising of all types (including but not limited to newspaper, periodicals, flyers, posters, billboards, direct mail, e-newsletters, third-party websites, streaming displays, social media etc.) must include the County’s and appropriate City’s tourism website logo (or URL with a one-click away operational hyperlink). The URL landing page must use the correct logos and have a link to centralwashingtonoutdoor.com. Contractors must either keep the landing page active until time of reimbursement or use a screen capture for full reimbursement. (If you are using a live logo as the link to CWO, please ensure the hyperlink is shown in the screen capture). The logo must be sized no smaller than ½ inch in height and must be surrounded by appropriate white space to allow easy recognition and legibility. Contractors shall not change the logo(s) in color or appearance. C. Video Advertising of all types (including but not limited to television, online, electronic kiosks, motion billboards, etc.) must include the County’s and appropriate City’s tourism website logo. The logo must be sized no smaller than ½ inch in height and must be surrounded by appropriate white space to allow easy recognition and legibility. Contractors shall not change the logo(s) in color or appearance. All logos and website information may be obtained by contacting the Director of Tourism, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce. Section 2. Advertising Reimbursements Contractors seeking reimbursement from Lodging Tax Funds for advertising expenditures must adhere to the following guidelines and requirements for each type of advertising media utilized. A. Print Advertising: 1. Print advertising placed with any media provider which operates exclusively outside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. To operate exclusively outside of Kittitas County, the provider must not be physically located in the County and/or not distribute any media within the County. 2. Print advertising placed with any media provider which operates inside Kittitas County may be reimbursed as follows: a. For date-specific events, advertising the day of the event and up to 10 days prior to the event may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. b. For seasonal or year-round events, or for date-specific events outside of the timeframe in Section 2 A, (2)(a) above, advertising reimbursement requests must include a statement from the media provider specifying the percentage distribution to areas outside of Kittitas County. Reimbursements will be allowed for the amount distributed outside of Kittitas County, including any production costs. B. Television Advertising: 1. Television advertising placed with any media provider outside the Yakima/Kittitas DMA will be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. 2. Television advertising placed with any media provider inside the Yakima /Kittitas DMA will be reimbursed as follows: a. For date-specific events, advertising the day of the event and up to 7 days prior to the event may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. b. For seasonal or year-round events, or for date-specific events outside of the time- frame in Section 2 B, 2(a) above, advertising may be reimbursed at the rate of 70% of the total cost, including any production costs. C. Online Advertising: 1. Online advertising and promotion may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. 2. Streamed media (radio, television, other) requests for reimbursement must include a statement from the media provider specifying the percentage of recipients which are outside of Kittitas County. Reimbursements will be allowed for the percentage distributed outside of Kittitas County, including any production costs. D. Direct Mail: 1. Direct mail advertising may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost, for each item mailed or shipped to a destination outside of Kittitas County. In order to receive reimbursement, a list of the addresses and a signed statement from the contractor that the list is accurate, or other proof of delivery, must be provided along with other required documentation. E. Flyers/Posters: 1. Flyers or posters which are placed outside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. In order to receive reimbursement, a list of the locations where flyers or posters were posted outside of Kittitas County, a signed statement from the contractor that the list is accurate, and a copy of the poster/flyer must be provided along with other required documentation. 2. Banners which are placed inside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. In order to receive reimbursement, the banner cannot list a specified date or location. Requests can only be made one time. 3. Signage (site layout use only) which are placed inside of the venue/facility of the event may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production costs. In order to receive reimbursement, the signage cannot list specified date or location. Request can only be made one time. (i.e. ADA Parking/Parking, Loading Zone, Evacuation Route, Bathrooms, and Stage locations) F. Radio Advertising: 1. Radio advertising placed with any media provider located outside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. 2. Radio advertising placed with any media provider located inside of Kittitas County may be reimbursed as follows: a. For date-specific events, advertising the day of the event and up to 7 days prior to the event may be reimbursed at 100% of the cost, including any production cost. b. For seasonal or year-round events, or for date-specific events outside of the time- frame in Section 2 F, 2(a) above, advertising may be reimbursed at the rate of 30% of the total cost, including any production costs. G. Operation Reimbursement: 1. Operation costs may be reimbursed 100% of the paid invoice cost. In order to receive reimbursement operations invoice must an approved cost from the Consolidated Lodging Tax committee members list. Invoice provided must include notation of payment with proof of payment. 2. Mileage reimbursements that are outside of 50 miles of Kittitas County may be reimbursed at 100% of cost. In order to receive reimbursement, a signed statement from the receiver along with other required documentation. Mileage reimbursement is subject to IRS mileage reimbursement rates which may change annually. 3. Items not eligible for reimbursement: a. Salaries of employees. b. Capitol purchases- any item with 3+ years life and over $5,000. c. Licenses, permits, insurance, or credit card fees.