» Download
the 2011-2012 Visit Mason City Tourism Marketing Grant Application.
If you are involved with an event, convention, tournament
or facility that attracts visitors to Mason City, you are eligible
to receive FREE money through the
Visit Mason City Iowa Tourism Marketing Grant Program!
Tourism
Marketing Grant Program Guidelines:
The purpose of the Visit
Mason City Tourism Marketing Grant is to assist in marketing
projects for events, tournaments, conventions, activities,
and facilities that will drive tourism activity to Mason City and
the North Iowa region.
Application Deadlines / Format
Round 1: by 4 pm on Oct. 6,
2011 for marketing project completed Oct. 1, 2011– Oct.
1, 2012
Round 2: by 4 pm on Feb. 2, 2012 for marketing project completed
Feb. 2, 2012– Oct. 1, 2012
A total of 5 copies of the completed application and all supporting
materials must be submitted. Application must be typed and
can be delivered in person or mailed to:
Visit Mason City
2021 Fourth Street Southwest
Mason City, IA 50401
Eligible Projects & Use of Funding
Eligible marketing project expenses include design,
production, and placement costs for brochures, fliers, posters, direct
mail pieces, registration materials, videos, websites, print ads,
radio ads, television ads, and off site signage that attract visitors. In
addition, shuttle service for local tours, transportation between
convention facilities, welcome reception food / non-alcoholic beverages
for tourists are eligible grant expenses. Marketing projects
must have a focus outside a 90-mile radius of Mason City. Quoted
bids or estimates must be attached. Grants are paid as reimbursements
to the contact organization upon completion of the marketing project.
Maximum Grants / Cash Match
Grants are limited to a maximum of 50% of eligible costs
or $1,500 (whichever is lowest) with a required cash match of at
least 50%.
Tagline / Logo Requirements
All awarded tourism market projects, except IDOT signage
must include the Visit Mason City logo or the tagline “Sponsored
in part by Visit Mason City / www.VisitMasonCityIowa.com” with
a link from the recipient’s website (if applicable) to www.VisitMasonCityIowa.com.
Either of the following logos can be downloaded
and used on your projects. Simply point to the logo or the
link of the graphic you want and use your right mouse click to
do a "Save Picture As...." or "Save Target As..." and download
to your hard drive.
Notification
Applicants will be notified 30 days after the grant
deadline regarding their funding status.
Application Assistance
Visit Mason City staff can provide application assistance
by appointment during Mon. – Fri. 8 am to 4:30 pm. To
make an appointment, contact Visit Mason City at cvb@VisitMasonCityIowa.com or
641-422-1663 / 800-423-5724. Appointments must occur three
business days before the grant deadline.
Evaluation Criteria
- Number of Visitors attracted outside 90-mile
radius of Mason City by marketing project.
- Number of lodging rooms generated by marketing
project.
- Distribution Plan.
- Held during the "off season" - during
the months of Sept - May for signage attract visitors during "off
season".
- Held during the week - Mon. - Thurs. for signage
attract visitors during the week.
» Download
the 2011-2012 Visit Mason City Tourism Marketing Grant Application. |