Here's How It Works
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus have all come together on this grant program, knowing there is great growth potential in the sports marketing segment of our business. Our goal is to assist destinations in securing competition-related events that require an upfront cash or financial commitment through a booking assistance fund. The Ready, Set , Go grant program is funded at $110,000, all available for matching grants. The amount available per destination/per request is 50% of a bid fee or 50% of other allowable facility costs up to a maximum $20,000.
If this is your first time applying and you have questions, just contact Dawn Zanoni - her phone number appears to the right or you can click on the link for her e-mail.
Racing After These Sports
Being the winning bidder for a competition event - be it amateur, collegiate or professional - means tourism revenue for your area. With this fund we hope to help destinations:
- Secure competitive events that will generate both a spectator base and an economic boost for the community. Examples include, but are not limited to, NCAA-AAU tournaments, baseball/softball tournaments, rodeos, sailing, drum and bugle corps competitions, hockey, basketball, triathlons and marathons. Don't forget winter sports too, like skiing and snowmobiling. We should note that sport camps are not considered a competitive event.
- Bring events into the state rather than funding in-state events that are regularly scheduled or those that rotate to destinations within the state, like the Wisconsin State Bowling Tournament.
- Bring to Wisconsin events that have not been previously hosted in our state - or haven't been hosted within the last six years - and have been secured through a bid process.
How Grant Dollars Can Be Spent
Here are eligible expenses for this grant:
- Bid fees or up-front financial commitments paid directly to the events holder.
- Financial commitments to secure a venue that a destination may have to rent.
- On a case-by-case basis, sporting events that are created within a destination for the purpose of creating an economic boost and bringing in competitors.
Application Requirements
This list will help you determine if you're eligible. To be considered:
- Your application must be submitted through a recognized Convention & Visitor Bureau or Chamber of Commerce.
- The maximum amount awarded per organization will be $20,000 but this could include multiple projects added up to reach the maximum. The applicant organization must match the granted amount dollar-for-dollar with “in-kind” goods and services like hotel rooms, cars and meals or other approved operational expenses.
How the Fund is Administered
This fund is administered by the Department of Tourism.
- We review applications three times a year.
- There are two levels of review: The first is a five-person committee, the second level of review involves the Tourism Department's marketing designee and the Secretary.
- Funds are awarded upon approval by the Tourism Department.
Scoring Points on Your Application
- Scoring values will reward the greatest return-on-investment. Criteria includes: number of room nights, visitor spending vs. financial commitment, off-peak scheduling and media exposure.
- You must submit a complete event marketing and public relations plan, including financial, revenue generation and sponsorship budget, and a Letter of Intent from Rights Holder recognizing a partnership if applicable.
- You'll need to prepare a comprehensive event history including destinations that have previously hosted the event, room night pick-up, spectator draw, and visitor expenditures.
- Documentation of a bid-fee requirement must also be included.
Grant Payment Schedule
- First, 70% of the award amount will be paid.
- Then, upon successful submission of the post-event evaluation and approval by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the remaining 30% of the award will be paid.
Post-Event Report
The post-event report provides us with a scorecard on the event. You'll need to include:
- Complete financials
- A survey of the event holder - how did they perceive the event
- Photos of the event for future promotions
- Samples of collateral material
- Analysis of the event and evaluation of successes or opportunities for improvement
Best of luck with your application. We're rooting for you.