The right event can bring big economic impacts to the Comox Valley’s economy.
The Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism’s 2017 Sport and Event Attraction and Expansion Grant provides event producers and organizers with additional cash resources to support them in expanding existing Comox Valley events or attracting new ones.
The funding provides stimulus for event bidding, creation, hosting, marketing and the administration of events that can demonstrate attracting out-of-town visitors.
Events can range from sport tournaments to meetings and conferences, from festivals to races. Over $30,000 of funding support was provided in 2016 and brought thousands of additional visitors to the region.
Recent recipients of the grant include the Comox Valley Minor Hockey Association, the Comox Valley Skating Club, BC Naturalist Society, Comox Valley Road Runners, Comox Valley Cycle Cross, Municipal Information Systems Conference, Comox Valley Ribfest and the PGA Qualifier at Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community.
The grant was established by the Courtenay hotel, motel and resort owners, in conjunction with the Comox Valley’s Destination Marketing Advisory Committee, to remove financial obstacles to those who wish to host events.
Primarily, grant assistance is provided to events planned during the shoulder seasons from September to June. In some select, targeted circumstances, summer events will be considered, so all event planners are encouraged to apply for the 2017 grant.
In addition to running its own series of destination level events and festivals throughout the year, Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism, the region’s destination marketing organization, oversees the program and supports events with in-kind marketing support and the promotion of a region-wide events calendar. The calendar, found on the new Discover Comox Valley website, showcases the phenomenal range of events available to visitors and locals alike, year round.
Deadline for the 2017 intake is Sunday, Jan. 15. The application can be found at www.discovercomoxvalley.com/discover/marketing-opportunities
