hotel occupancy tax grants
TRANSCRIPT
Hotel Occupancy Tax Grants
Presented by Shannon OverbyPresident & CEO
BCS Convention & Visitors Bureau
“The mission of the Brazos Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau is to enhance economic and social growth
in Bryan, College Station and the Brazos Valley
by marketing, promoting, developing and coordinating tourism, conventions,
sports and hospitality opportunities in the area.”
Hotel Occupancy Tax
Two-Part Test
1. Must “directly enhance and promote tourism AND the convention & hotel industry”
2. Fit in to one of 8 catagories• Convention Center• Convention Registration• Advertising/Promotion• Arts (maximum 15%)• Historical Preservation• Sporting Events• Enhancement of existing Sports Faciliteis• Transportation Systems
History
FY2011 – Rewards Program
FY2012 – Rewards Program
FY2013 – HOT Grant
FY2014 – HOT Grant via Panel (2x per year)
Rewards Program
To be the recognized and
respected leader in the Brazos Valley responsible for
the Visitor Industry by our communities, stakeholders
and customers
Rewards Program
FY2011 & FY2012
36 groups applied21 groups qualified
18,495 attendees of groups held3,220 attendees of groups still pending
Total Cost $($16,850 paid / $5,750 pending)
Benefit – awareness by NEW groupsDownfall - Funds limited to CVB Budget
Only available to NEW groups
HOT Grant FY2013
Applicants• 11 organizations / 15 events• 61,500 attendees
Total amound requested $292,205• $205,205 from College Station• $87,000 from Bryan
Total Amount “Approved” = $131,178• $107,046 from College Station• $24,132 from Bryan
Estimated Visitor Spending in Community = over $28 million
HOT Grant FY2013
Pros• Allowed HOT funds to be spent for ROI• Completely transparent and fair• Protected Funding Partners & CVB • Allowed to incentivize groups to return/stay in
BCS• Encouraged events on „need‟ dates
Cons • Process was extremely time consuming• No immediate response for client• Limited funds • Some organizations went around this system for
funding
HOT Grant FY 2014
Changes – Grant Panels twice a year
October Panel• 9 organizations / 15 events• 73,607 attendees
Total amount requested = $273,350• $196,350 from College Station• $77,000 from Bryan
Total amount funded = $143,250• $110,950 from College Station• $32,300 from Bryan
Estimate Economic Impact = $29.5 mil
HOT Grant FY 2014
March Panel• 11 Organizations / 13 Events• 23,496 Attendees• $245,049 Requested • Estimated Economic Impact = $9.5 million
Pros• Much Smoother Process• Immediate Questions, Discussion, Decisions • 25% up front invoice and payment easier
Cons • Limited funds – $128,000 from CS• Post event invoicing & Payments
HOT Grant Panel
Grant Panel• CVB Executive Committee
• Both city Councils• City appointments• BVLA Appointment
• Arts Council Representative• Representatives from City Manager’s Offices
Process• Presentation & Q&A• Evaluation
• Room Nights Generated• Need Dates• Potential for return• Number of attendees (spectators &
participants/registrants)
WHAT’S NEXT?
HOT Grants in the future
• Increase Funds Available• Unlimited?• Percent of HOT Tax Collected?
• Simplify the invoice / payment process• Invoice for full amount upfront• Provide quarterly and annual report showing
what was paid out and what is left
