Town of Vail Accepting Applications for 2016 Special Events Funding
Vail, CO, September 15, 2015 (Newswire.com) - The Town of Vail has consistently been a leader in delivering a world-class calendar of events that grows partner brands, generates revenues and supports causes both locally and globally. The Commission on Special Events is seeking innovative and exciting proposals for Special Events throughout 2016 and beyond that support the collective vision of Vail as the world’s “Premier International Mountain Resort Community!”
The CSE, utilizing research results provided by the Vail Local Marketing District, has developed special event rating criteria that will be used to evaluate all proposals with respect to how they align with a strategic approach to providing a diverse calendar of events that are well matched to the Vail brand and will exceed the expectations of a sophisticated and international clientele.
Producers will self-select one of two categories when they submit their RFP. While all submittals are reviewed with a strong eye as to how well they support the Vail brand; the Recreational, Cultural and Community events are measured primarily with respect to how well they will drive destination visitation. Educational and Enrichment events are evaluated by how they contribute to life-long learning, a sense of well-being and enhanced quality of life. These categories have different criteria and scorecards tailored to the type of event.
For previously funded events, there must be documentation that demonstrates the success of the event according to the CSE’s measurement criteria, as well as a positive history of compliance with the town’s regulations and special event permit requirements.
In 2015, the CSE provided nearly $1 million in sponsorship funding for 35 events in Vail, including but not limited to the GoPro Mountain Games, Vail Summer Bluegrass Series, Vail Farmers’ Market and Art Show, Gourmet on Gore, Snow Daze, Vail America Days™, Vail Arts Festival, Vail Film Festival, Taste of Vail, Vail Oktoberfest™, Vail Lacrosse Shootout, Kids Adventure Games, Pink Vail and Spring Back to Vail. The funds are allocated to the CSE by the Vail Town Council, and come from the General Fund and monies generated annually by the Vail Business Tax License fees. Also in 2015, the CSE allocated monies from the event budget to independently survey every event funded at more than a $10,000 level so as to have a consistent measurement of the return on the town’s investment in special events.
Event funding applications are due no later than 4 p.m. MST Monday, Oct. 19. Qualifying applications will be reviewed by the CSE at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Final funding allocations will be determined by the CSE at a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
vailgov.com/commission-on-special-events
Questions should be sent via email to Sybill Navas, Coordinator, Commission on Special Events at snavas@vailgov.com by 5 p.m. MST, Monday, Sept. 21.
An RFP amendment with all submitted questions and answers will be posted on the website and emailed to each submitter on Friday, Oct. 2.