FY22 Elite Event Funding Program Application

Section A: General Information

(0 points)
1. Organization/Contact Information
Organization Legal Name *
Organization Address *

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code
FEI/EIN Number *
Corporate/Tax Status *

Not-For-Profit Entity For-Profit Corporation/LLC or other Organization Municipality/Special District of Pinellas County
EXHIBIT A: Upload Documentation Verifying Organization's Legal Identity *

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Primary Contact Name *

First Name Last Name
Primary Contact Email Address *
example@example.com
Primary Contact Office # *

Area Code Phone Number
Primary Contact Mobile # *

Area Code Phone Number
Primary Contact Fax #

Area Code Phone Number
Secondary Contact Name

First Name Last Name
Secondary Contact Email Address
example@example.com
Secondary Contact Office #

Area Code Phone Number
Secondary Contact Mobile #

Area Code Phone Number
Secondary Contact Fax #

Area Code Phone Number

Section B: Event Information & Timing of Event

(100 points)
Rating Criteria - Timing of Event: Peak vs. Offseason & Non-Conflicting

Timing of the Elite Event to coincide with non-peak or shoulder seasons in Pinellas County tourism. Preference will be given to Elite Events which occur during "off season" periods, including January 1 through February 15, May 1 through June 30, and September 1 through December 31. In addition, timing of the Elite Event should not conflict with other Elite Events or other special events taking place in Pinellas County.
1. Event Information
Official Event Name *
Event Location *

Street Address 1

Street Address 2

City
Event Start Date: *

Month Day Year
Event End Date: *

Month Day Year
Event Website *
Original Event Year *
Recurring or One-Time Event *

Recurring One-Time Event
Targeted Demographic

0/100
Nationally Televised *

Yes No
TV Network(s) *

Section C: Event History & Community Support

(100 points)
Rating Criteria - Ability of the Elite Event to attract high caliber and high profile artists, athletes and/or participants to perform and/or attend in Pinellas County. Demonstration of widespread community support and charitable contributions by the Elite Event applicant that benefit the Pinellas County community. Ability of the Elite Event to fulfill any previous contractual obligations with Pinellas County.
1. Mission Statement

In the space below, please provide the mission statement of your organization including goals and objectives. Mission statements should be one or two sentences.
Mission Statement *

0/350

2. Organization History

Please provide a brief history of your organization and include unique attributes and recent significant accomplishments in Pinellas County.
Organization History *

0/1500

3. Event Description

Provide a brief description of your event, including the primary goals and objectives of the event. Describe past similar events and any research undertaken to determine the feasibility of your current proposed event. Explain your event's ability to attract high caliber and high profile artists, athletes and/or participants to perform and/or attend in Pinellas County. Describe your event's ability to enhance the overall image of Pinellas County.
Event Description *

0/2000

4. Charitable Donations

Please list all Charitable Donations, including Monetary and/or In-Kind Donations, provided by your organization that benefit the Pinellas County community over the past three years and anticipated for the coming year. Add additional lines as needed.
Charitable Donations *

5. Post-Event Report

If awarded Elite Event funding in the previous fiscal year, upload a copy of your most recent Post-Event Report.
Have you received Elite Event funding previously? *

Yes No
EXHIBIT B: Most Recent Post-Event Report *

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Section D: Unique Attendees & Room Nights

(200 points)
Rating Criteria - Ability of the Elite Event to generate unique attendees AND room nights in excess of the threshold established to be eligible for funding.
Elite Event Funding is made available to organizations with an event that meets or surpasses the eligibility thresholds set forth in the graphic below. BOTH thresholds must be met at the time of application submission and after the completion of the event with proof provided in the Post-Event Report.

For purposes of this application, a Unique Attendee is defined as a single individual attending the event whether for a single day or multiple days. Examples of a Unique Attendee:
- a worker issued a 2-day credential is considered one (1) Unique Attendee
- an individual purchasing a 3-day package is considered one (1) Unique Attendee
For purposes of this application, a Non-Local Attendee is defined as someone residing outside of Pinellas County and will be staying in transient accommodations in Pinellas County during your event.
Funding Categories are as follows:
- Category I – generates at least 50,000 “unique” paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees AND at least 25,000 room nights in Pinellas County with maximum funding eligibility up to $125,000. Category 1 events must be broadcast on national television.
- Category II – generates at least 20,000 “unique” paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees AND at least 10,000 room nights in Pinellas County with maximum funding eligibility up to $75,000.
- Category III - generates at least 10,000 “unique” paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees AND at least 5,000 room nights in Pinellas County with maximum funding eligibility up to $25,000.
- Category IV - a Cultural Heritage Event that generates at least 20,000 “unique” paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees with maximum funding eligibility up to $25,000.
1. Projected Attendance & Room Nights
Projected Room Nights in Pinellas County *
Projected Unique Attendees *
Projected Non-Local Unique Attendees *

2. Attendance History

A. Provide your event's unique attendee and non-local attendee history for the following years. Mark N/A if no event occurred or has not yet occurred in that year.

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Event's Unique Attendee History

Event's Non-Local Unique Attendee History

B. Complete the diagram below to illustrate how you calculated unique attendees. Mark N/A if no event occurred or has not yet occurred in that year. *

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Single Day Tickets

Multi-Day Tickets

Comp Tickets Redeemed

N/A - Event is Free

Staff

Contractor/Worker

Media

Volunteer

Single Day Credential

Other

C. Explain the methodology used to determine your unique attendee calculation (i.e. paid admittance, comp tickets, credentials used, etc.) *

0/2000

3. Room Night History

A. Provide your event's room night history for the following years. Mark N/A if no event occurred or has not yet occurred in that year. *

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Room Night History

B. Explain the methodology used to determine your room nights calculation. *

0/2000

Section E: Marketing Plan

(400 points)
Rating Criteria - The value of the applicant's proposed Marketing Plan in promoting Pinellas County as a tourist destination and the extent the value of the plan exceeds the funding request.

Per guidelines, "Marketing" shall mean advertising (print, electronic, digital, etc.), direct sales, collateral production and distribution, public relations, promotions, or research, exclusive of professional fees and services, designed to increase tourist-related business activity from outside Pinellas County.
1. Requested Funding Amount

With respect to the Funding Categories Minimum Requirements and Max Funding Request (shown in table in Section C), what is the requested funding amount?
Requested Funding Amount *

2. Use of Funds

Describe how the requested funding amount will be used. Refer to Elite Event Funding Guidelines to review any funding restrictions.
Describe how the requested funding amount will be used. *

0/1000

3. Upload Marketing Plan

Provide your proposed Marketing Plan, which should include at a minimum: media category, vendor, market, timing, description, costs. Notate what marketing elements are being provided as in-kind and what are actual hard costs.
EXHIBIT C: Upload your event's Marketing Plan *

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4. How will your marketing plan increase event attendance and/or room nights to Pinellas County?

Describe what specific efforts will be made with relation to your Marketing Plan to increase event attendance and/or room nights to Pinellas County. Explain how your plan supports VSPC's strategies and target markets outside of Pinellas County.
How will your marketing plan increase event attendance and/or room nights to Pinellas County? *

0/1500

5. How does your marketing plan promote Pinellas County as a Tourist destination?

Explain the value of the event's Marketing Plan and its effectiveness in promoting Pinellas County as at Tourist destination, as measured by: (i) how the Elite Event Marketing Plan specifically complement's VSPC's marketing programs and key markets of origin, (ii) the ability of the Elite Event Marketing Plan to enhance the overall image of the County as a preferred destination for leisure, business, conference, sports or film production travel; and (iii) the ability of the Elite Event Marketing Plan to generate positive international, national or regional publicity.
How does your marketing plan promote Pinellas County as a Tourist destination. *

0/1500

6. Funding Impact

Please describe the impact on the event if funding were not available or awarded to your organization.
Please describe the impact on the event if funding were not available or awarded to your organization. *

0/500

7. Public Funding

Please list all other Public Grants, Funding and/or In-Kind Services provided to your organization over the past three years and anticipated for the coming year. Add additional lines as needed.
Public Funding *

Section F: Sponsorship Benefits

(200 points)
Rating Criteria - The value of the applicant's proposed Sponsorship Benefits in promoting Pinellas County as a tourist destination and the extent the value of the benefits exceeds the funding request.

Per guidelines, "Sponsorship" shall mean a mutually beneficial business arrangement between VSPC, on behalf of the County, and an eligible applicant producing an Elite Event, wherein VSPC receives event assets and opportunities to promote VSPC brand and the Pinellas County destination not included in the Marketing Plan.
1. Sponsorship Proposal

Provide your Sponsorship Proposal, providing a specific, detailed description, retail cost and itemized valuation of all proposed marketing benefits offered to Pinellas County through the Elite Event Funding Program and how the benefits support the sales & marketing plans and objectives of VSPC pursuant to the Elite Event Funding Guidelines. NOTE: Tickets and Hospitality should be excluded from your proposal and will NOT be considered by VSPC in its evaluation.
EXHIBIT D: Upload your Sponsorship Proposal *

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2. Event Onsite Activation

If your Sponsorship Proposal includes event onsite activation, please upload an event map indicating where any proposed VSPC marketing benefits and assets will be featured within the event footprint.
Does your Sponsorship Proposal include event onsite activation? *

Yes No
EXHIBIT E: Upload your event map indicating where any VSPC marketing benefits and assets will be featured within the event footprint. *

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Section G: Pinellas County Government Affiliations

(0 points)
List below the names of any directors, officers, members, principals or employees of the applicant that are either Pinellas County employees, or that sit on any boards, commissions, or committees of Pinellas County government.

Section H: Certification and Compliance Agreement

(0 points)
I hereby certify that the information contained in the Application submitted herewith is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, that the above-referenced Applicant is eligible for funding per the Elite Event Funding Guidelines, and I will abide by all legal, financial, and reporting requirements including providing verification of paid or documented attendees or room nights generated by the event. I further certify:

Initial each item below.
Please find here a link to the most recent Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) Annual Plan.
1) I have read and understand the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) Annual Plan *
Please find here a link to the Elite Event Funding Guidelines.
2) I have read and understand the Elite Event Funding Guidelines and agree to all Conditions of Funding. *
Please find here a link to the Application Requirements & Instructions.
3) I acknowledge and understand I must complete and submit a fully completed Application per the Application Requirements & Instructions to be considered for funding. I acknowledge and understand that Applications that are not complete will be declared ineligible and will not be forwarded to the review panel for funding consideration. *
Please find here a link to the standard Elite Event Funding Agreement.
4) I acknowledge and understand that receipt of any funding for this event is contingent upon a fully executed agreement, prepared by the County, that includes the County's required terms and conditions. I acknowledge that I have reviewed the Elite Event Funding Agreement and all terms and conditions are acceptable. *
5) I acknowledge and understand that all TDC-recommended and BCC-approved funding amounts are considered "up to and not to exceed" amounts and subject to negotiation of contract terms with VSPC. *
6) I acknowledge and understand that, by accepting Elite Event funding, I authorize VSPC's media staff access to the event to cover and promote the event (minimum of 4 media passes). In addition, I authorize use of VSPC's digital pixel on my event website for analytics purposes. *
I certify I am an Authorized Corporate Officer or an Authorized Individual (if a municipality) on behalf of Applicant.
Authorized By: *

First Name Last Name
Title *
Phone *

Area Code Phone Number
Email *
example@example.com
Signature *

Clear
Date *
Should be Empty:

Section A: General Information

1. Organization/Contact Information

Section B: Event Information & Timing of Event

1. Event Information

Section C: Event History & Community Support

1. Mission Statement

2. Organization History

3. Event Description

4. Charitable Donations

5. Post-Event Report

Section D: Unique Attendees & Room Nights

1. Projected Attendance & Room Nights

2. Attendance History

3. Room Night History

Section E: Marketing Plan

1. Requested Funding Amount

2. Use of Funds

3. Upload Marketing Plan

4. How will your marketing plan increase event attendance and/or room nights to Pinellas County?

5. How does your marketing plan promote Pinellas County as a Tourist destination?

6. Funding Impact

7. Public Funding

Section F: Sponsorship Benefits

1. Sponsorship Proposal

2. Event Onsite Activation

Section G: Pinellas County Government Affiliations

Section H: Certification and Compliance Agreement