Gladstone Community Event Sponsorship Program

By Press release submission

Sep 6, 2022

Thank you for your interest in hosting an event in the City of Gladstone. The 2003 Oregon Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 2667 to establish a state lodging tax. A portion of the revenue this tax generates must go towards tourism promotion in Oregon.

Tourism promotion means any of the following activities; “(a) Advertising, publicizing, or distributing information for the purpose of attracting welcoming tourists; (b) conducting strategic planning and research necessary to stimulate future tourism development; (c) operating tourism promotion agencies; and (d) marketing special events and festivals designed to attract tourists” (ORS 320.300(7).

Funding for Gladstone tourism efforts, including some community events, comes from the Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) collected by all lodging properties in Gladstone from guests at their properties.

Gladstone Event Sponsorship Program

The Gladstone Event Sponsorship Program is designed to assist the development/marketing of festivals and community events, and to improve or enhance existing festivals and events in Gladstone. This sponsorship requires a one-to-one cash “match” by the applicant and is payable only as reimbursement for agreed-upon expenses. Proposed expenses are agreed upon once application is reviewed by committee and an award is approved. Gladstone is interested in supporting projects that are aligned with proposed deliverables from the Gladstone Tourism Strategy. Community Events is one agreed area to support tourism in the city.

Sponsorship funds have a maximum up to $5,000 per event and are available for one event per organization, per year. The Gladstone Event Sponsorship Program Fund is up to $50,000. Criteria for the program includes:

Must demonstrate partnerships that leverage TLT funds and create a broad economic impact for the destination served by the proposed event or festival.
Funding is not intended to be an annual award for ongoing expenses.
If designated for an existing festival or event funds must be used for expanded, new marketing or development plans.

Application Process

Applications will be received on a quarterly basis (schedule below). Funds must be spent within one year of receipt.
- November 30th deadline for an award January 1st
- February 28th deadline for an award April 1st
- May 31st deadline for an award July 1st
- August 31st deadline for an award October 1st
Applications must be emailed to contactform@ci.gladstone.or.us

APPLICATION REVIEW

A committee consisting of the finance consultant, one employee from the Mt. Hood Territory Destination Management, a representative from the hospitality industry, and the City’s tourism consultant will review applications. Each application will be rated against the listed criteria and recommendations will be made to the City Administrator for final award notifications.

A brief written report (outline provided upon receipt of sponsorship award) must be submitted to the City of Gladstone, City Administrator, within 30 days of the event conclusion. Sample report checklist provided as separate document.

APPLICATION RATING CRITERIA

These rating criteria are used by the City of Gladstone to evaluate event sponsorship applications. Applications with less than 6 points will not be eligible for funding.

(Maximum points earned per each criterion-2)

Proof of 501c3 organization or private business sponsorship is provided. Multiple sources of funding and/or earned income for the festival/event are secure and confirmed
Staff/volunteers have festival management experience and/or professional consulting.
Overall application demonstrates a project ready to move forward and a high likelihood of success.
Festival/Event has written support of the community, local businesses, civic organizations, and/or chamber of commerce.
Festival/event is identified in the Gladstone Tourism Strategy. A community event must relate to existing city products or assets and is in an accessible and “visitor-friendly” location.
Festival/event has measurable goals for economic impact on the community, expressed in terms of visitor spending and/or room nights sold, and the application demonstrates potential for positive economic impact.

If festival/event or sponsoring organization has received Gladstone TLT funding in the past and the previous activity was incomplete or unsatisfactorily managed, there is potential to have up to six points deducted from final score.

The rating of this application will be based on the above detailed criteria and within the frameworks of the Gladstone Tourism Strategy, which can be found HERE

Supporting Documents

Press Release (129 KB)