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TDA Festival & Event Sponsorships

Sponsorship Overview & Application Guidelines

The Boone Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) authorized by the state (North Carolina) and local government (Town of Boone) to promote travel and tourism, including group, sports, and corporate travel, sponsor tourist-related events and activities in Boone, North Carolina.

Purpose of TDA Sponsorships

The Boone TDA’s sponsorship program is intended to generate overnight stays in Boone by supporting the growth or creation of exciting visitor experiences. Special consideration will be given to applications for events that are multiple days, occur outside of peak times*, highlight Boone’s history and culture, and deploy creative marketing efforts focused on areas over 50 miles from Boone.

*Peak months for overnight visitation to Boone are July, August, and October. Graduation weekend and football games may also be considered peak visitation times.

Note: Explore Boone also incorporates large festivals & events outside of Boone as a part of its destination marketing plan.

Eligibility & Requirements

  • Sponsorship funding must be used entirely on marketing and advertising. Examples of eligible expenses include digital advertising (Meta, Search Ads, Display Ads, E-Newsletters), billboards, print ads, photography for annual events, and brochure distribution.
  • At least two-thirds of sponsorship funds must be used on marketing 50+ miles away. The remaining one-third may be used on local marketing and advertising efforts.
  • The event is located within Boone town limits
  • Must be able to demonstrate the potential to generate overnight stays
  • Explore Boone sponsorship must be recognized on promotional materials, including: brochures, posters, and websites.

Note: Additional information may be requested, depending on the number of years an event has occurred.

Application Process

Requests may be submitted at any time, provided they are received no less than 120 days before the event, to ensure Explore Boone recognition can be included in marketing materials.

Submit a typed document on the organization’s letterhead with the following information, at least 120 days before the event.

  • Overview of the requesting organization and its mission
  • Overview of the event or program
  • Amount requested
  • Sponsorship percentage of the total event budget
  • Expected attendance*
  • Expected number of overnight stays*
  • Describe the marketing areas & types of advertising to be used
  • Describe TDA sponsorship recognition, benefits, & opportunities
  • Describe how the program/event will differ if TDA funding isn’t awarded
  • Demonstrate how the event will impact the local economy (generates revenue, creates jobs, etc.)
  • List previous events sponsored by the TDA and the amount funded.

*Provide data from past events, if applicable. Explain the estimate's reasoning.

Please Note:

  • Funding requests will be considered at the next regularly scheduled Boone TDA Board Meeting. Meetings occur in January, March, May, June, September, and November.
  • Applicants must ensure there is enough lead time for the Explore Boone logo to be included in marketing materials, including the website and social media.
  • Applicants may include letters of support for the event.
  • Applicants may only submit one request per event, per year.
  • All materials submitted to the TDA are public record and subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
  • The TDA may request more information about the event or the organization representative’s attendance at the meeting.
  • Boone TDA Sponsorship funding must not be used on operational expenses, staff salaries, or to pay existing debt. Funds are non-transferable.

Please submit Festival & Event Sponsorship applications to Hope Thingelstad: hope@exploreboone.com.

Check Out An Example Sponsorship Request

 

If a Sponsorship is Awarded

Two-thirds of the requested amount is allocated at the time of approval, and one-third is allocated after the event, once the TDA has received and accepted follow-up reporting.

Necessary Forms to Receive Funding:

  • Two invoices on letterhead made out to “Boone Tourism Development Authority” for the amount requested
  • Current W-9
  • Certificate of non-profit status (if applicable)
  • Signed agreement to provide Explore Boone sponsorship recognition and follow-up reporting

Follow-up Reporting

The applicant must provide the following reporting to the TDA no more than 120 days after the conclusion of the event:

If the reporting is not submitted to the TDA within 120 days of the event's conclusion, the organization becomes ineligible for future funding requests for the following fiscal year.

Two-thirds of the marketing sponsorship will be paid upon approval, and one-third will be reimbursed upon receipt of the reporting. Expenses included in follow-up reporting should represent at least the amount requested, but may go over. The expenses listed must be entirely used for marketing. If these marketing expenses do not total the amount of the sponsorship, the final TDA payment will only reimburse the remaining expenses that are incurred.