FY25 Elite Event Funding Program Application

Section A: General Information
1. Organization/Contact Information
Organization Legal Name*
Organization Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
EXHIBIT A: Upload Documentation Verifying Organization's Legal Identity and Registration with the State of Florida, Division of Corporations.*

Must be PDF file. Max file size is 2 MB.
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Corporate/Tax Status*

Not-For-Profit EntityFor-Profit Corporation/LLC or other OrganizationMunicipality/Special District of Pinellas County
FEI/EIN Number*
Primary Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Primary Contact Email Address*
example@example.com
Primary Contact Office #*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Primary Contact Mobile #*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Secondary Contact Name

First NameLast Name
Secondary Contact Email Address
example@example.com
Secondary Contact Office #
Please enter a valid phone number.
Secondary Contact Mobile #
Please enter a valid phone number.
Authorized Contract Signer Name*

First NameLast Name
Authorized Contract Signer Title*

Section B: Event Information & Timing of Event
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

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Event Start Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Event End Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Event Website*
Original Event Year*
Recurring or One-Time-Only Event*

RecurringOne-Time-Only Event
Will the Event be broadcast on national television or other national broadcast services such as network cable, streaming services or other CTV/OLV/OTT viewing platforms?*

YesNo
If answered "Yes" to question above, please provide details such as network selection, broadcast timing, confirmed total impressions and guaranteed viewership.*
Funding Categories are as follows:

Category I – Considered an Elite Event that generates at least 50,000 “unique” paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees or over 15,000 room nights in Pinellas County with maximum funding eligibility up to $150,000. Category 1 events must be hosted in Pinellas County with broadcast expected or guaranteed to surpass 100,000 views.
Category II – Considered an Elite Event that generates at least 15,000 “unique” paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees or over 4,500 room nights in Pinellas County with maximum funding eligibility up to $75,000.
Category III – Considered an Elite Event or Destination Enhancement Event generates at least 10,000 “unique” paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees or over 3,000 room nights in Pinellas County with maximum funding eligibility up to $25,000.
Category IV – Considered a Destination Enhancement Event that generates at least 7,500 “unique” paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees with maximum funding eligibility up to $20,000.
Category V – Considered a Destination Enhancement Event that is a new event to Pinellas County with no local prior hotel room and/or attendance history which is required to meet Category I-IV consideration, with maximum funding eligibility up to $15,000.00.
2. Requested Funding Amount

With respect to the Funding Categories Minimum Requirements and Maximum Funding Eligibility, what is the requested funding amount?
Requested Funding Amount*
Describe generally how the requested funding amount will be spent. How much will be allocated towards marketing versus sponsorship?*
3. Funding Impact
Please describe the impact on the Event if funding were not available or awarded to your organization.*
4. 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 C: Event History & Community Support
Rating Criteria - Ability of the event to demonstrate widespread community support and charitable contributions by the Elite Event applicant that benefit the Pinellas County community. Ability of the event to fulfill any previous contractual obligations with Pinellas County. Ability of the event to attract high caliber and high profile artists, athletes and/or participants to perform and/or attend in Pinellas County. Ability of the event to enhance the overall image of 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*
2. Organization History

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

YesNo
EXHIBIT B: Upload Most Recent Post-Event Report

Must be PDF file. Max file size is 20 MB.
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Section D: Unique Attendees & Room Nights
Rating Criteria - Ability of the event to generate unique attendees (Category I, II, III, and IV) OR room nights in excess of the threshold established to be eligible for funding (Category I, II, and III).

“Unique Attendees” shall mean a single individual attending the event whether for a single day or multiple days. Examples of Unique Attendees:
• 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
1. Projected Attendance & Room Nights
Projected "unique" paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees*
Projected non-local "unique" attendees*
Projected room nights in Pinellas County*
2. Attendance History

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

	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
Event's Unique Attendee History
Event's Non-Local Unique Attendee History

B. Complete the chart below to illustrate how you calculated unique attendees. Leave blank if no event occurred or has not yet occurred in that year.*

	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
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.)*
3. Room Night History

A. For previous Elite Event funding recipients, use data provided in your Future Partners (f/k/a Destination Analysts) Economic Impact Study Report of Findings to provide your event's room night history for the following years. Leave blank if no event occurred or has not yet occurred in that year.*

	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
Total Event Hotel Room Nights Generated
Total Event Vacation Rental/Home Share Rental Nights Generated
Total Event Nights Generated

Section E: Marketing & Advertising Plan
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 pre-event 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. Marketing & Advertising Plan

Provide your proposed Marketing & Advertising Plan which MUST INCLUDE at a minimum: Vendor, Market, Timing, Placement Detail, Impressions by Placement Type, Total Net Spending. Notate what marketing elements are being provided as in-kind and what are actual hard costs. Download template to use below.
Must use our Microsoft Excel Template (Titled FY25 Exhibit C Marketing and Advertising Plan Template) downloadable HERE.
EXHIBIT C: Using the Microsoft Excel template provided, upload your Event's Marketing & Advertising Plan.*

Must be Microsoft Excel file type (.xls, .xlsx). Max file size is 2 MB
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2. 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? Include details on your targeted demographics, psychographics and geographics.*
3. 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.*
Provide a breakdown of local, regional, national, and/or international media covering your event.*

Section F: Sponsorship Benefits
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 on-site 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.
Must use our Microsoft Word Template (Titled FY25 Exhibit D Sponsorship Proposal Template) downloadable HERE.
EXHIBIT D: Upload your Sponsorship Proposal*

PDF file type preferred. Max file size is 5 MB.
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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?*

YesNo
EXHIBIT E: Upload your event map indicating where any VSPC marketing benefits and assets will be featured within the event footprint.

PDF file type preferred. Max file size is 1 MB.
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Section G: Pinellas County Government Affiliations
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. Mark N/A if not applicable.
Pinellas County Government Affiliations*

Section H: Certification and Compliance Agreement
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS (CLICK TO OPEN):
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.
1) I have read and understand the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC) Executive Summary and Annual Media Plan.*

Clear
2) I have read and understand the Elite Event Funding Guidelines and agree to all Conditions of Funding.*

Clear
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.*

Clear
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.*

Clear
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.*

Clear
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.*

Clear
I certify I am an Authorized Corporate Officer or an Authorized Individual (if a municipality) on behalf of Applicant.
Authorized By*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
Signature*

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

Section A: General Information

1. Organization/Contact Information

Section B: Event Information & Timing of Event

1. Event Information

2. Requested Funding Amount

3. Funding Impact

4. Public Funding

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 & Advertising Plan

1. Marketing & Advertising Plan

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

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

Section F: Sponsorship Benefits

1. Sponsorship Proposal

2. Event Onsite Activation

Section G: Pinellas County Government Affiliations

Section H: Certification and Compliance Agreement

I certify I am an Authorized Corporate Officer or an Authorized Individual (if a municipality) on behalf of Applicant.