Marketing Grant

The marketing grant provides tourism organizations such as CVBs, chambers of commerce or regional tourism organizations a way to expand their marketing message. The partnership is designed to increase visitation to their community and increase travel-generated revenue, while leveraging TDTD’s brand “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” through marketing initiatives. Partnerships awarded are limited to available funds, as well as the number of requests received.

*This grant  application opens annually in July and is awarded in August.

Check out:

FY18-19 Grant Reimbursements and Timeline

Grant at a Glance

 

Previously named Developmental Co-op, this grant provides tourism organizations the opportunity to expand the impact of their marketing message, increase visitation to their community and increase travel-generated revenue, while leveraging TDTD’s brand and marketing efforts/initiatives.

 

Partnerships awarded are limited to available funds, as well as the number of requests received. Below is a snapshot of the details for the 2018-19 Tourism Marketing Grant:

 

  • $1M TDTD budget
  • 1:1 match
  • Reimbursable Grant
  • Delegated Grant Authority Contracts will be issued
  • Consistency with TDTD’s campaign messages “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.”
    • Details are specific to each partner’s proposal and what is the best fit.
    • Appropriate artwork will be sent with contracts. 
    • NEW * All brand usage must be approved see FAQ and Brand Guideline

 

The following documents will be used to complete the steps required with the FY 2018-19 Tourism Marketing Grant.

  1. Overview
  2. Application Form
  3. Pre reimbursement Document
  4. Delegated Grant Authority Contract
  5. Reimbursement Procedures
  6. Checklist of Deliverables
  7. Final Report

 

TIMELINE

 

 

June 26, 2018                Application open

 

July 31, 2018                 Deadline to submit application to TDTD

 

Aug. 6, 2018                   Grant Reviews held

 

Aug. 10, 2018                 TDTD to send the award emails to all participating partners

 

Aug. 17, 2018                 TDTD to send contracts to partners on or before.

 

Aug. 30, 2018                 Signed copy of contract is due to TDTD by each participating partner. A final, co-signed copy of the Delegated Grant Authority contract is due to each participating partner from TDTD.

 

Dec. 1, 2018                    Update on project status submitted to TDTD

 

March 1, 2019               Update on project status submitted to TDTD

                             

May 1, 2019                    The qualifying project should be completed by the partner(s)

 

May 30, 2019                 All reimbursement paperwork is due from the partners - This is the FINAL date to submit a request for reimbursement. You must have all documentation including proof of purchase, etc.

*We encourage you to submit paperwork as projects are completed throughout the year.

 

June 30, 2019                All reimbursements paid by TDTD

 

Aug 30, 2019                  Final Report Due

Who is Eligible

 

 

The Official Destination Marketing Organization for each county or region, such as:

  • Convention & Visitors Bureaus
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Community development related organizations that are non-profit and considered “official tourism organizations”  (i.e. Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council, Southcentral Tourism Association.)

 

Who is not Eligible

 

Tourism partners that are not considered an Official Destination Marketing Organization, such as:

  • Attractions
  • Festival – although an organization can use funds to market an event
  • Museums
  • Tennessee Main Street organizations
  • The following Destination Marketing organizations in the top five counties (Davidson – Nashville CVC, Hamilton – Chattanooga CVB, Knox – Visit Knoxville, Sevier – Gatlinburg CVB, Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, and Shelby – Memphis CVB) in terms of tourism expenditures

What project / expenditures are eligible?

 

The grant projects should help support “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” message and brand, and they should allow for strong measurement capabilities.  The following is a list of potential marketing projects that are eligible:

 

  • Production costs of promotional publications (i.e. brochures, visitor guides, newsletters, etc.); the distribution must reach consumers, not just the organization’s members
  • Rich media production (i.e. video, photo shoots)
  • Interpretive or directional signage
  • Digital support programs, such as paid media /ads, social media (i.e. facebook boosts) or paid search  (This does not pay  admin for someone to post to social media)
  • Website development (includes the enhancement of an existing website or a new site)
  • Tourism-related tradeshows and exhibit promotional materials (does not include travel expenses)
  • Promotional partnership opportunities offered by the tourism organization
  • Media buy that promotes tourism to the state of Tennessee and includes “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee” or “Discover Tennessee Trails and Byways ( i.e. print, broadcast, billboards)

If you have an idea that is not listed above, but you think it directly promotes “Tennessee’s brands.” message and tourism to Tennessee, please contact Melanie Beauchamp at 615-741-9009 or email at Melanie.Beauchamp@tn.gov to determine eligibility before submitting your paperwork. TDTD maintains the discretionary right to create exceptions or additional eligibility regulations on a case-by-case basis.

 

What project / expenditures are not eligible?

 

  • Agency time
  • Reprinting of an existing brochure without changes or updates
  • Hosting fees for a website
  • Salaries or administrative expenses, such as travel reimbursement  or office equipment
  • Development or enhancements to infrastructure
  • Speaker fees, entertainment, trophies or prize money

TDTD maintains the discretionary right to create exceptions or additional eligibility regulations on a case-by-case basis.

RESOURCES