2009 Tourism Marketing Opportunities Program
Festivals & Events Assistance
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 Application and Expenditure Deadlines
The project application deadline is March 20, 2009.
Project expenditures must take place between April 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010.
Eligible Festival and Event Project Guidelines
Projects must demonstrate the ability to attract visitors and increase tourism visitors and spending.
Eligible marketing projects include direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives in-line with the Province’s annual Tourism Plan.
Eligible Project costs include:
- Promotional materials (development, printing and distribution);
- Detailed advertising campaigns (radio, TV, magazine, newspaper, billboard, web, etc.);
- Direct mail campaigns;
- Marketing research projects;
- New website development;
- Previously funded marketing projects that show incremental value; and
- Other applicable promotional activities supported by your Regional Tourism Association and approved by the Department.
Ineligible Project costs include:
- 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, ect.;
- 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 a 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.
Eligible submissions must include a completed Festival & Events Application Form with attached financial statements showing the previous year’s actual, and this year’s projected, revenue and expenses.
Previously funded applicants must have met the former program’s conditions to reapply.
Program Conditions
Projects supported must include the Nova Scotia visual identity (novascotia.com logo) and credit Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage.
A final report with project evaluation and proof of payments must be submitted to your Regional Tourism Industry Association (RTIA)/Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) within 90 days following the event or by February 28, 2010 (whichever is sooner).
Level of Investment
Pending annual funding approval, the program is designed to consider funding support up to 50% of applicable marketing costs to a maximum of $2,500.
Application Checklist/Deadlines
- Determine if the event’s marketing proposal fits with the Nova Scotia’s Tourism Plan
- Complete the Festivals and Events Assistance Application Form.
- Attach a financial statement showing last year’s actual and this year’s projected value revenue and expenses.
- Submit application and financial information to your RTIA or HRM by the program deadline of March 20, 2009.
- The Tourism Division will confirm with the RTIAs/HRM the successful applicants approved for funding by May 01, 2009. The RTIAs/HRM will then advise program applicants.
- A letter from the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, along with the approved provincial funds, will be provided directly to the successful Festival and Events Assistance applicants through the RTIAs/HRM.
- Festivals & Events Assistance guidelines, applications and information are also available from your local RTIA/HRM.
Festival and Event Funding Contact Information
Halifax Regional Municipality
Mike Gillett
490-4740
PO Box 1749,
Halifax, NS B3J 3A5
Antigonish-Eastern Shore Tourism Association
Mike Broomfield
889-2362
9042 #7 Highway, General Delivery
Head Jeddore, NS B0J 1P0
Destination Cape Breton Association
Sandra MacDonald
563-4636
PO Box 1448
Sydney, NS B1P 6R7
Central Nova Tourist Association
Joyce Mingo
893-8782
PO Box 1761, 65 Treaty Trail
Truro, NS B2N 5A9
Pictou County Tourist Association
Cindy MacKinnon
752-6383
980 East River Rd.
New Glasgow B2H 3S8
Destination Southwest Nova Scotia
Jeanette Joudrey
634-8844
PO Box 1390 Lunenburg
NS B0J 2C0