Event Sponsorship Funding

Aberdeen Hotel Alliance Organization:
Event Sponsorship Funding Requirements, Guidelines & Restrictions

Goals & Objectives

The Aberdeen Hotel Alliance is funded by the collection of a Aberdeen city occupancy tax and is administered by the Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director in conjunction with the Aberdeen Hotel Alliance Board of Directors.

The mission of the Aberdeen Hotel Alliance is to increase the economic and cultural growth benefiting the Aberdeen area and its hotels through the enhancement, expansion, marketing, and promotion of visitor events, attractions, and activities with an emphasis on the overnight guest. 

Events should have a strong appeal to a large part of our community and potential visitors. These events may be cultural, ethnic, historic, educational, or recreational, or a combination thereof. 

Criteria

Special event(s) funding and organizational sponsorship will be considered from January 1st through December 31st. Event funding and organizational sponsorships through the Aberdeen Hotel Alliance Special Events Fund will be granted to events and organizations that:

• Host events within the Aberdeen area.
• Encourages overnight stays in the community by out-of-town visitors.
• Host events new to Aberdeen (3 or fewer years in existence), or existing events that are expanded or enhanced to increase the duration (overnight stays), or the appeal of the event will be considered.
• Provide a good “rate of return” to the community comparing the amount of money requested with the total out-of-town revenue.
• Promote tourism in Aberdeen.
• Present additional fundraising efforts by the requesting organization.

Funding or sponsorship for a prior year does not guarantee funding in future years.

Requirements

• Aberdeen Hotel Alliance Funding Application form must be completed by a member of the organization requesting funds.
• Sponsorship Funding Applications must be submitted at least (90) days before the event is held to ensure proper promotion. Failure to meet this required promotional deadline will result in application denial.
• Applicants may be required to attend the Aberdeen Hotel Alliance Board meeting for a presentation and answer questions.
• Applicants will be required to provide copies of all advertising and promotional materials including a list, radio, television, banners, or other forms of promotion.
• Event funding from the Aberdeen Hotel Alliance MUST be used on the event applied for and as specified in the application. Organizational event sponsorship would be the only exception to this rule.
• Event support and organizational sponsorship will NOT be considered without an itemized budget or proposal from the requesting entity to show the financial need.
• Changes in dates, times, and/or nature of the funded special event may result in forfeiture of all funding.
• If the funded event is not held within the dates given, the award shall be forfeited and returned to the Aberdeen Hotel Alliance, unless the AHA has been notified of a date change.
• The Aberdeen Hotel Alliance and the Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau must be included in all print, digital, and on-air media promotions at the same level as any other sponsor.

Restrictions

Funds cannot be used to support organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, age, veteran status, physical challenge, or national origin.  In addition, funds are not provided for:

• Individuals
• Religious organizations-non convention related
• Political parties or candidates
• Capital campaigns
• Endowment Funds
• Conferences, workshops, or seminars not directly related to the mission of the Aberdeen Hotel Alliance
• Payouts, Prizes, Purses, or Scholarships
• Fundraisers

The Aberdeen Hotel Alliance Board reserves the right to limit funding to no more than 50% of cash contributions raised by the requesting organization.  The Board may discontinue or modify all or any portion of this funding policy at any time.

If you feel your event or attraction meets the guidelines above, please complete our initial funding application.

The Aberdeen Hotel Alliance will make the determination on event funding or organizational sponsorship after we receive the Organization Event Sponsorship Funding Application.