FY26 Elite Event Funding Application

REVIEW IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS PRIOR TO APPLYING (CLICK TO OPEN):
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 10 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.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Primary Contact Mobile #*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Authorized Contract Signer Name (as listed on Sunbiz.org)*

First NameLast Name
Authorized Contract Signer Title*

Section B: Event Information & Request
1. Event Details
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*
2. 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*
3. 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?*
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
5. Sustainability Practices

Briefly describe any sustainability initiatives/practices, and how your event aligns with Pinellas County-encouraged guidelines.
Sustainability*

Section C: Event History & Projections
1. Post-Event Report

Upload a copy of your most recent Post-Event Report or similar economic impact study, if available.
Have you received Elite Event funding previously?*

YesNo
EXHIBIT B: Upload Most Recent Post-Event Report or similar economic impact study, if available.*

Must be PDF file. Max file size is 10 MB.
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2. Projected Attendance & Room Nights
Projected "unique" paid, credentialed and/or otherwise documented attendees*
Projected "unique" attendees from outside of Pinellas County*
What percentage of "unique" attendees are expected to stay overnight in Pinellas County accommodations?*
3. 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.*

Rows	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.*

Rows	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.)*
Is your event ticketed? If so, please provide zip code data to substantiate attendance figures.*

YesNoFirst Time Ticketed Event (no data)
EXHIBIT C: Upload Attendance Zip Code Data*

Must be PDF file. Max file size is 10 MB.
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Section D: Marketing & Advertising Plan
1. Advertising Plan

Provide your proposed Paid Media 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

FY26 Exhibit D Paid Media Advertising Plan Template

Downloadable HERE
EXHIBIT D: Using the Microsoft Excel template provided, upload your Event's Paid Media Advertising Plan.*

Must be Microsoft Excel file type (.xls, .xlsx). Max file size is 10 MB
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2. In addition to your Advertising Plan, what other marketing activities will you deploy to generate additional event attendance and/or room nights to Pinellas County?
For example, include details on your targeted demographics, psychographics, geographics, influencers, content marketing, email marketing, etc.*

Section E: Public Relations Plan
1. Describe your P.R. plans to promote the event to local, regional, national, and international media.*
EXHIBIT E: Upload your Event's Public Relations Plan.*

Must be Microsoft Excel file type (.xls, .xlsx) or PDF. Max file size is 10 MB
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2. Will media be invited to cover your event?*

YesNoTBD
3. Will the Event be broadcast on national television or other national broadcast services such as network cable, a streaming service affiliated with a network cable company, or other CTV/OLV/OTT viewing platforms (as defined in the guidelines)?*

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

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.
Pinellas County Government Affiliations

Section H: Certification and Compliance Agreement
FINAL REVIEW OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS PRIOR TO SUBMITTAL:
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 Executive Summary and Annual Media Plan.*
2) I have read and understand the Elite Event Funding Guidelines and agree to all Conditions of Funding.*
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.*
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 County Contract Template 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 VisitSPC.*
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.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email*
example@example.com
Signature*
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

Section A: General Information

1. Organization/Contact Information

Section B: Event Information & Request

1. Event Details

2. Event Description

3. Requested Funding Amount

4. Public Funding

Section C: Event History & Projections

1. Post-Event Report

2. Projected Attendance & Room Nights

3. Attendance History

Section D: Marketing & Advertising Plan

1. Advertising Plan

2. In addition to your Advertising Plan, what other marketing activities will you deploy to generate additional event attendance and/or room nights to Pinellas County?

Section E: Public Relations Plan

Section F: Sponsorship Benefits

1. Baseline Benefits

2. Sponsorship Proposal

3. Tickets & Hospitality

4. 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.