Purpose:

The goal of the VisitErie Tourism Marketing Matching Funds Program is to promote the business partner and Erie County as a tourism destination. VisitErie will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for selected marketing campaigns targeting travelers outside of Erie County.

Available Funds: $35,000

VisitErie has a total of $35,000 in available funds to be awarded for tourism marketing in 2024. Matching funds will be awarded up to $5,000 with a minimum match of $2,000. Approved projects will receive a dollar-for-dollar match from VisitErie.

Eligible Applicants:

Applicants must be VisitErie partners, in good standing, and draw out-of-town visitors. 

Qualifications

• Businesses who apply are required to be partners of VisitErie, in good standing.
• Business may apply once per year unless otherwise expressly stated by VisitErie.
• Partners applying must develop and execute  the marketing campaign and send materials to VisitErie for review prior to the launch of the campaign.
  • Allow 5 business days for approval.
• Partners applying must develop a marketing plan outline to answer the questions in the form below.
• VisitErie logo must be included on promotional materials.
• Marketing campaign must be executed by the applicant in the 2024 calendar year.
• One of VisitErie’s goals is to promote tourism during all four seasons. Proposals that include dates in the ‘off season’ will be viewed favorably.
• Businesses can either apply for the Tourism Marketing Matching Funds or Events Matching Funds.

How the program works if selected:

• Applications will be reviewed by VisitErie and will be scored based on these program criteria:
  
  • Target Market
  • Regional Promotion
  • Program goals
  • Program
  • Budget
• Businesses will track campaign metrics to measure its success 30 days from the end of the campaign taking place and will provide VisitErie with a final report.
• If a final report is not provided, this will jeopardize future participation in Matching Funds programs.

Deadline for applications is February 23. Applicants will be notified by March 1.