Leon County Accepting Tourism Grant Applications for Signature, Special & Sports Events

LEON COUNTY ACCEPTING TOURISM GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR

SIGNATURE, SPECIAL & SPORTS EVENTS

All events must demonstrate appropriate social distancing and hygiene practices consistent with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance and Leon County's Reopening Plan.

Tallahassee, Fla. (July 28, 2020) – In its ongoing efforts to promote safe visitation to the area, the Leon County Division of Tourism grant application cycle for 2020-2021 Signature/Emerging Signature, Special and Sports Events Grants is now open and accepting applications through August 25, 2020. Grants will financially assist events that support the local economy and implement CDC guidelines in accordance with Leon County’s Response and Reopening Plan.

Per the annual nature of this grant cycle, applications are opening now in anticipation of better conditions that would allow these events to occur. Eligible event(s) must take place between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, and have the potential of or history of bringing visitors to the area who use local hotels or short-term lodging facilities in Leon County. New to the grants program this year, the event must comply with allowable crowd size and public gathering regulations as outlined by state and local government and implement social distancing and hygiene practices consistent with CDC guidance. The applicant must also provide information on how the event will address safety and public health for all event staff, vendors and attendees.

All applicants are required to attend or watch one of three online workshops scheduled for July 30 at 3 p.m., Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. and Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. A recording of the workshop will be made available on the Visit Tallahassee website for those who are unable to attend during the scheduled live sessions. The workshops will include:

• An overview of the new fully digital grant management platform
• 2020-2021 funding available and event funding levels
• New and expanded application components
• Review process and scoring criteria

Applications are due by Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. The Leon County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Grant Review Committee reviews and evaluates applications and submits recommendations to the full TDC for approval.

For more information on grant funding click here or contact Terri Messler at (850) 606-2331 or Terri.Messler@VisitTallahassee.com.

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About The Leon County Division of Tourism/Visit Tallahassee: The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) is the official destination marketing organization for Tallahassee-Leon County. Tourism is charged with marketing Tallahassee-Leon County nationally as a premier leisure, business and sports destination through direct sales, advertising, public relations, sports and visitor services. Named as one of Southern Living’s top 10 Cities of the South, in 2019, Tallahassee-Leon County welcomed 2.4 million visitors who contributed $1.04 billion in economic impact and accounts for more than 16,150 people employed in our community in the tourism & hospitality industry. For more information, go to VisitTallahassee.com or call toll free (800) 628-2866. Engage with Visit Tallahassee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #iHeartTally and  #Trailahassee.