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Fiscal 2025 Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Marketing Sponsorship Program

The Fiscal 2025 Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Marketing Sponsorship Program offers marketing support to local community groups, non-profits, event organizers, sports organizations, and tourism-related businesses/organizations. This program is designed to boost local event attendance and enhance the region's appeal to visitors, particularly those traveling from more than 50 miles away, including out-of-state visitors.

Program Goals:

  • Increase attendance at local events from visitors traveling more than 50 miles away, particularly from out of state.
  • Drive longer stays by promoting overnight accommodations at local hotels, boosting the hospitality sector.
  • Enhance the local economy by drawing in visitors who contribute to spending in hospitality, retail, dining, and other sectors.
  • Position Annapolis and Anne Arundel County as a top-tier, welcoming destination for visitors, ensuring a positive experience for all.
  • Support events that align with our organization's strategic roadmap, mission, vision, and values.

How to Apply:

  1. Submit Your Application Early: To ensure timely processing, applications must be submitted at least 90 days before your event date.

  2. Eligibility: Even if your event doesn’t meet every criteria, we encourage you to apply. We may still find ways to support your efforts without direct funding.


What to Include in Your Application:

  1. Mission & Priorities Alignment: Ensure your event aligns with Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County's mission and core priorities. [Review our mission and priorities here.]

  2. One Sponsorship Per Year: Organizations are eligible for one sponsorship per fiscal year. This program is designed to help startup events and festivals build momentum and transition to private funding over time. 

  3. Marketing Plan: Our focus is on attracting visitors from 50+ miles away who will stay overnight for multi-day festivals, sporting events, or other activities. Please outline how you will use sponsorship funds for paid advertising to increase attendance and overnight stays in local accommodations, including STVRs and hotels/inns. If you don’t have a formal marketing plan, summarize your strategies to achieve this goal. For smaller-scale events, highlight how your event aligns with our mission, vision, or values.

  4. Marketing-Only Funds: Sponsorship funds are designated exclusively for marketing expenses. Funds cannot be used for facility rentals, equipment, porta-potties, payroll, or other non-marketing costs.

  5. Complete Application: Submit the full application with all required documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered.


Eligibility Criteria:

  • Event Type: Your event must be open to the public or offer general ticket sales. Political or fundraising events are not eligible.
  • Event Timing: Priority will be given to events held between November and April, or events that expect 2,000+ attendees and provide unique experiences.
  • Location: The event must take place in Annapolis or Anne Arundel County.
  • Legal and Financial Standing: Your organization must be in good legal and financial standing with Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC), Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the State of Maryland.
  • Cash Match Requirement: A 1:1 cash match is required for the sponsorship.

Post-Event Reporting:

After your event, you will need to submit a Post-Event Impact Data Report, including:

  • Attendee demographics (e.g., zip codes, origin).
  • Hotel bookings and other data showing the event's economic impact.
  • A breakdown of how the sponsorship funds were spent.
  • A summary of the marketing value the sponsorship provided.

Note: Submission of this report is required before you can receive the final sponsorship payment.


Additional Information:

  • Sponsorship Terms: Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (VAAAC) reserves the right to update the sponsorship terms at any time.

Apply Now! If your event meets the criteria, we look forward to supporting your efforts to enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

For more details, or to begin your application, SEE BELOW.

 

Apply Today!

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The four sponsorship programs for Fiscal 2025 include:

The Tourism Marketing Leverage Program (Marketing/Advertising Amplification)

  • The VAAAC Tourism Marketing Leverage Program enhances Annapolis & Anne Arundel County events, sports, attractions, and festivals with advertising and promotional support aimed at boosting overnight tourism. It focuses on increasing paid advertising to attract visitors from 50+ miles away to your event, complementing your existing marketing plan. To qualify, events must have a pre-existing paid media strategy and promote overnight stays. This program targets multi-day festivals and events, aligning with VAAAC's mission to promote the region for leisure, sports, business, agritourism, conferences, and meetings.

The Event Marketing Sponsorship (5,000+ Attendees; Multi-Day)

  • The VAAAC Event Marketing Sponsorship provides direct funding to support significant Annapolis & Anne Arundel County events, sports tournaments, and festivals, aiming to boost tourism and create economic impact. Eligible events should anticipate over 5,000 visitors, align with VAAAC's mission, vision, and values, attract overnight out-of-state visitors, and provide a marketing opportunity. This program leverages VAAAC's expertise in marketing, public relations, sales, tourism development, visitor experience, and partnerships. Applicants must submit an operating budget detailing the use of sponsorship funds with this application. THIS SPONSORSHIP SHALL BE UTILIZED FOR FIRST-TIME EVENTS IN THE DESTINATION.

The Community Marketing Support Sponsorship (Single Day Events; Up to $1,000)

  • The VAAAC Community Marketing Support Sponsorship assists non-profit community organizations and civic groups dedicated to enhancing visitor experiences and fostering prosperity in our destination. Proposals should demonstrate community benefits, such as enriching resident sentiment and promoting community engagement, while directly correlating to tourism marketing or promotion opportunities and supporting the hospitality industry workforce for the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

The Conference, Sports Tourism, or Meetings Incentive Sponsorship (No financial maximum; but should be focused on economic or destination impact)

  • The VAAAC Incentive Sponsorship is strategically designed to attract high-profile conferences, national-level events, and major sports tourism events to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. This program focuses on securing significant events for the years 2024–2030 and beyond, to drive substantial tourism and national exposure for the destination. 
    A MARKETING PLAN IS NOT NECESSARY FOR SUBMISSION FOR THIS OPTION.