American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Sports Marketing and Meeting & Convention Incentive Programs
VTC is offering these funds to be used for event incentives and marketing promotions targeted specifically at attracting new sports tournaments and competitions and new meetings and conventions to spur economic activity and travel across the Commonwealth. $1 million will be committed to a Sports Marketing incentive program and $1 million will be committed to a Meeting & Convention incentive program. .
Eligible applicants are Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO/CVBs), meeting or sports venues, city or county local government agencies (i.e. parks & recreation department) and sports commissions. For more information of both of these programs, visit the links below:
Sports Marketing Incentive Program
Meeting & Convention Incentive Program
Sports & Meetings Incentive Programs- Frequently Asked Questions
The Meetings Application Portal will close September 30, 2022. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Please review the meetings grant submission instructions document and How to Use the Portal webinar prior to applying. Meeting & Convention Portal Access
The portals are currently available for applicants to view the status of their existing applications and to submit expense receipts/documentation. Meeting & Convention Portal Access and Sports Events Portal Access.
Have questions or need portal help? Contact: Horne at [email protected]
Funding Awards
Virginia Sports and Meeting Events to Receive American Rescue Plan Funding to Aid Tourism Recovery. List of funding recipients – Sports Event and Meeting & Convention Event.
Webinars
For the ARPA Sports Marketing and Meeting & Convention Incentive Programs, VTC offered educational webinars to share a general overview of the programs See below to view the recordings and presentation slides.
Recorded Webinars and Trainings:
- Dec. 16 – General overview of both programs and Q&A – VIEW WEBINAR
Download Powerpoint Presentation - Jan. 26 – Meetings & Convention Overview and Q&A – VIEW WEBINAR
Download Powerpoint Presentation - Jan. 26 – Sports Marketing Overview and Q&A – VIEW WEBINAR
Download Powerpoint Presentation - Mar. 23 – How to Use the Portal and Required Documentation
- Meetings & Conventions – VIEW WEBINAR
Download Powerpoint Presentation - Sports Marketing – VIEW WEBINAR
Download Powerpoint Presentation
- Meetings & Conventions – VIEW WEBINAR
- July 18 – Sports & Meetings Incentive Program Payment Request Training and Q&A
This division is responsible for planning, implementing and measuring marketing initiatives that target buyers representing the packaged travel markets, AAA/CAA counselors, meetings & convention planners and sports events rights holders. These buyer segments are reached by participating in trade shows, sales calls, sales missions, hosting client events and e-marketing.
