2012 Festivals & Events Marketing Program Guidelines

Objective

Cooperative marketing assistance is provided to local festival and event providers throughout Nova Scotia to help strengthen our tourism brand, showcase the province to visitors, increase attendance at events, and boost local and regional economies.

Project Expenditures and Application Deadlines

Project expenditures must take place between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.

Project application deadline is March 31, 2012. Festivals and events organizations from Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) follow the guidelines for HRM's 2012 Festivals and Events Grant and comply with the HRM deadline of January 27, 2012.

Project Guidelines

Projects must demonstrate their ability to attract visitors and increase tourism visitation and spending.

Marketing projects must include direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives that align with the department's 2012 Tourism Plan.

Eligible Project Costs:

  • Promotional materials (development, printing and distribution);
  • Detailed advertising campaigns (radio, TV, magazine, newspaper, billboard, web, etc.);
  • Direct mail campaigns;
  • Previously funded marketing projects that show incremental value;
  • Marketing research projects;
  • New website development;
  • Other applicable promotional activities supported by your RTIA/HRM and approved by the Department.

Ineligible Project Costs:

  • Capital and operating (event or event organization wages, phone, fax, office equipment and supplies);
  • Previously funded projects that do not demonstrate incremental value;
  • General, administrative (organizational membership dues or registration fees);
  • Development of marketing/business plans;
  • Charitable fundraising events, conventions, conferences, meetings, workshops, seminars, clinics, award ceremonies, VIP visits, etc.;
  • General advertising campaigns;
  • Website maintenance;
  • Promotional materials (trinkets, t-shirts, banners, flags, floats, etc);
  • Applications submitted by previously funded festival and event organizations that failed to submit final expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must be registered non-profit or not-for-profit organizations that conduct tourism related activities and marketing programs which benefit the entire province or region. Organizations must be in good standing with the Provincial Registrar of Joint Stock Companies.

Applicants can only apply to the Festival & Events Marketing or the Tourism Experiences Marketing through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Programs.

Submissions must include a completed Festival & Events Marketing application form along with the financial statement showing last year's actual and this year's projected revenues and expenses.

Festivals and events must be listed on www.novascotia.com prior to project deadline to qualify for funding.

In order to reapply, previously funded applicants must have met the former program's conditions (completed final report, financials, and a listing of partners and sponsors).

Program Conditions

Projects supported must include the Nova Scotia visual identity (www.novascotia.com logo) and credit Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.

A listing of successful project applicants will be made public after the process is completed.

A final report with project evaluation and proof of payments must be submitted to your RTIA/HRM within 90 days of the event or festival.

Level of Investment

Pending annual funding approval, the program is designed to consider funding support of up to 50% of applicable marketing costs to a maximum of $3,000.

Application Checklist/Deadlines

  1. Determine if the event's marketing proposal aligns with the Department's Tourism Plan.
  2. Complete the Festivals and Events Marketing Application Form. HRM events complete HRM application.
  3. Attach a financial statement showing last year's actual and this year's projected revenue and expenses.
  4. Submit application and financial information to your RTIA or HRM prior to program deadline of March 31, 2012 for review.
  5. The RTIA or HRM will review submissions and make recommendations for project funding to the Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.
  6. The Tourism Division will evaluate submissions and confirm funding directly to the RTIAs or HRM. The review and evaluation process will take approximately 6-10 weeks.
  7. A letter from the Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, along with the approved provincial funds, will be provided directly to the successful Festival and Events Marketing Program applicants through the RTIAs/HRM.
  8. Festivals & Events Marketing Program guidelines, applications and information are available online here or from your local RTIA/HRM.
    Application
    Final Report

Festival and Event Funding Contact Information

Central Nova Tourist Association - 902-893-8782
joyce@centralnovascotia.com
Joyce Mingo, PO Box 1761, 65 Treaty Trail, Millbrook, NS B6L 6M4

Destination Cape Breton Association - 902-563-4636
Lou@dcba.ca
Lou Leith, PO Box 1448, Sydney, NS B1P 6R7

Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores Association - 902-752-6383
cindy@visitdeans.ca
Cindy MacKinnon, 980 East River Rd., New Glasgow, NS B2H 3S8

Destination Southwest Nova Scotia - 902-634-8844
jjoudrey@destinationsouthwestnova.com
Jeanette Joudrey, PO Box 1390, Lunenburg, NS B0J 2C0

Halifax Regional Municipality - Community Development Civic Events - 902-490-6394
cormerbi@halifax.ca
Billy Comer, PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS B3J 3A5