Marketing Sponsorship Program

The Fiscal 2024 Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Marketing Sponsorship Program was established to support Annapolis & Anne Arundel County community groups, event rights-holders, non-profit organizations, sports groups, and other tourism-related businesses with an opportunity to apply for support intended to attract significant events, festivals, tournaments, exhibitions (and the event's visitors & spectators) into the destination.

The program is designed to generate an economic impact through tourism to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. This program is for events/festivals that will occur from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024. For events occurring beyond June 30th, we encourage applicants to apply for future consideration.

All sponsorships require a 1 to 1 cash match.​ All events/festivals must occur in Annapolis or Anne Arundel County to be eligible. Sponsorships must align with VAAAC's Mission and Core Priorities (review here). Applications must be submitted at least 90 days before an event or program. All applicants shall review the Sponsorship Criteria at the bottom of this page before applying.

Applicants may apply for one of the following sponsorship programs:

The Tourism Marketing Leverage Program (Marketing Support)

• The VAAAC Tourism Marketing Leverage Program is designed to bolster Annapolis & Anne Arundel County events, tournaments, sports, and festival rights holders with promotional support. The program is intended to generate an economic impact through tourism to Annapolis AND Anne Arundel County through paid advertising support to encourage travel to the destination.
• This sponsorship will be used to encourage visitors to the destination to your event, festival, or sports tournament from 50+ miles away through advertising and promotional support.
• This is a marketing leverage program to add to your existing marketing plan. Applicants shall submit a marketing and advertising plan for their event, festival, or program at the time of application. Your event must have an existing paid media plan to be eligible.
• This program is intended for multi-day festivals and/or events encouraging overnight visitation.
• This program supports VAAAC's mission to promote Annapolis and Anne Arundel County as a leisure, sports, outdoor/indoor recreation, business, agritourism, conference, or meeting destination.

The Event Marketing Sponsorship (Major Event Support)

• The VAAAC Event Marketing Sponsorship is designed to support Annapolis & Anne Arundel County events, tournaments, sports, and festivals with direct funding. The program is intended to generate an economic impact through tourism to Annapolis AND Anne Arundel County by supporting major tourism events that will host over 5,000 visitors and spectators at the event and/or reinforces VAAAC's mission, vision, and values.
• This program is intended for major events and/or festivals.
• This sponsorship is to be utilized to encourage overnight visitors to the destination from out of state to your event, festival, or sports tournament and should be an opportunity for VAAAC to leverage its marketing, public relations, sales, tourism development, visitor experience, and partnership expertise.
• An operating budget shall be presented for how sponsorship funds will be utilized at the time of application.

The Community Marketing Support Sponsorship (Up to $1,000)

• The VAAAC Community Marketing Support Sponsorship is designed to support non-profit community organizations and civic groups focused on transforming the lives of our visitors through travel while driving prosperity and sustainability across the destination. Proposals received shall provide both a community benefit AND a tourism marketing value to Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County.

SPONSORSHIP CRITERIA

1. Sponsorships must align with VAAAC’s Mission and Core Priorities (review here).

2. Applicants may apply for only one sponsorship per event per fiscal year.

3. A detailed marketing plan shall be submitted.

4. Sponsorship funds may only be used for marketing expenses. These funds are not available for general operating costs.

5. The application form and all supporting documentation must be submitted IN-FULL at the time of application. No applications will be reviewed without a marketing plan submitted.  

6. The event must be open to the public (private, political, and fundraising events will not qualify).

7. Events that occur during the off-season (November – April) and/or events that create new, unique, innovative events for visitors will receive increased consideration.

8. Recipients must provide a Post Proof of Performance Report, as outlined in your kick-off meeting with a VAAAC staff representative. This report must be received to process your final payment.

9. Applicants must be in good legal and financial standing with VAAAC, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, the State of Maryland, and within the community throughout the application process and the terms outlined in an agreement.

10. Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County reserves the right to modify and/or update the terms and conditions of any of its sponsorship programs at any time at its sole discretion.

Questions? Please get in touch with Dan Cook, Marketing Sponsorship Administrator, using the button below.