Holiday Pitch Contest

About Pitch Contest

The Holiday Pitch Contest is an opportunity for interested and experienced parties to pitch their event idea and compete for funds to support its implementation. 

Applicants for the holiday event pitch contest are challenged to create a unique, well-researched, and practical idea for a new holiday-themed attraction to be held a minimum of one time between November 22nd to December 31st or a significant addition to a current event that the applicant is responsible for hosting that has the potential to attract overnight stays to Batesville. 

Pitch ideas must include:

• To which audience the attraction is targeted
• Unique features of attraction that will draw visitors
• Implementation plans (logistics, dates, locations, etc.)
• Team responsible for implementation
• Marketing plans
• Demonstration of a well-researched idea
• Knowledge, skills, and resources to implement

The Batesville A&P Commission will prioritize pitches that:

• Include attractions held multiple days and weekends to increase likelihood of overnight stays and maximize economic impact;
• Include promotion of attractions in advance;
• Are collaborative, including offering package deals; and
• Align with the overall theme and spirit of other holiday activities to create a cohesive and enchanting holiday experience in the Christmas Capital of Arkansas.

The Batesville A&P Commission is funding the pitch contest to offset expenses related to promoting the area as the Christmas Capital of Arkansas™, and to encourage the growth of tourism. The funding in this grant is to promote larger events and overnight stays.

For a list of sample ideas, click here.

Funding

Funding in the total amount of up to $30,000 has been allocated to holiday pitch awards. The number of awards granted depends on the quality of the applicant pool and the size of requests. Acceptance of funding is a guarantee of implementation. If an awardee accepts funding but does not implement the idea as pitched, they may be asked to return the funding to the Batesville A&P Commission.

Requirements 

• All complete pitch contest applications will be presented to the Batesville A&P Commission for review.
• Applicants must pitch a new idea or a significant new addition to a current event. Events that remain the same from previous years will not be considered
• Complete applications must be received by October 8, 2023.
• Applying does not guarantee award.
• Awardees must communicate any event changes that may occur prior to the scheduled start date. Ex: significant detail change, capacity issue, event cancellation, rainout, etc. 
• Recognition Requirements
  • The Batesville A&P Commission will provide written notice of the status of applications to the e-mail registered on the application.
  • Award recipients must agree to recognize the Batesville A&P Commission as a funding source on all printed material and websites. The A&P Commission logo will be provided at the time of award.
  • Space for banners and/or promotional materials must be made available to the Batesville A&P Commission at the location of the event, if requested.
• Feedback Requirements 
  • An event recap is required by the event organizer at the following Batesville A&P Commission meeting. The event recap should include feedback regarding quality of the event including facilities utilized, dining, lodging, and any other related comments.

Application 

Complete applications include:

• Application information form
• A 2-minute maximum length video of the applicant’s pitch
• A pitch deck complimenting the pitch video with all required information
• A budget (with narrative, if necessary)
• All materials must be submitted via this form. Complete applications must be received by October 8, 2023

Award Notification

Applicants will be notified of their award status by no later than Friday, October 20, 2023.

Helpful Hints for a Competitive Application: 

Do your research. Make sure your event’s mission aligns with the purpose of the grant program and the goals of the community as a whole. 

Take care in developing your pitch deck. Pitch decks are a story about your idea and team that fully explains why you are poised for the opportunity and the right team to win. Your pitch deck is not meant to encompass your entire presentation but to supplement your ideas and provide helpful illustrations to drive your pitch home. Keep in mind text-heavy slides can feel boring to an audience, and you want your pitch to leave a memorable impact. Supplement your text with creative visuals to demonstrate your points.

Practice your pitch. You only have 2 minutes to convince your audience, and the first few seconds are the most critical for making an impact and hooking your judges. You want to capture their attention and pique their interest. The human attention span is short. Keeping your communication concise will help your audience to better remember your pitch.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT: Any support received from the Batesville A&P Commission is subject to the Freedom of Information Laws as stated in The Arkansas Freedom of Information Handbook. For additional information, please visit www.arkansas.gov.