With a goal to help organizations with marketing for local events, the Sampson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCCVB) recently announced open enrollment for a grant program.

Starting Sunday, Dec. 1, applications will be accepted for the Event Marketing Grant, developed to assist Sampson County organizations in the promotion of special events and visitor attractions. The deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 31, and all applications must be postmarked by Jan. 1, 2020 to be considered in the program’s first cycle of 202o.

The Sampson County CVB Board of Directors approved the implementation and funding of the grant program in 2018. It was developed to further stimulate economic growth within the County by supporting non-profit organizations and visitor attractions that are in Sampson County that sponsor special events or those that manage local visitor attractions.

“The new grant program provides the SCCVB with the ability to award marketing funds to organizations that attract both overnight visitors, as well as day-trippers to Sampson County” stated Ms. Sheila Barefoot, SCCVB Executive Director. All Event Grant Marketing funds awarded can only be used for the marketing, advertising or promotion of special events or local attractions that are being promoted in media markets located outside of Sampson County.”

Organizations that may apply for EMGP funding include any legally chartered 501 (c3) non-profit Sampson County organization or chartered municipality representing a visitor attraction or large special events that strive to promote tourism within the County by attracting visitors. Documentation of legal status, tax exemption, federal identification number, budget, and organizational purpose are required with all applications.

Funding for the SCCVB EMGP is provided through room occupancy taxes (ROT) that are collected by Sampson County’s lodging establishments which are generated as a result of overnight lodging by visitors to Sampson County. The SCCVB has tentatively allocated $3,000 for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 towards the Event Marketing Grant Program.

The Sampson County CVB was approved and enacted to be a public authority established through legislation by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina and adopted, approved, and enacted by the Sampson County Board of Commissioners with the purpose of promoting the development of travel and tourism related activities in Sampson County, through state, regional and national advertising, marketing and promotional activities and campaigns.

For more information or details about the SCCVB Event Grant Marketing Program or to receive grant guidelines and applications visit www.bit.ly/344Qgud or contact the CVB office at 910-592-2557 or via email at [email protected]. The Sampson County CVB office is inside the Sampson County Exposition Center located at 414 Warsaw Road, Clinton.

Cyclists ride around downtown Roseboro for the Cycle NC event.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Bike_8.jpgCyclists ride around downtown Roseboro for the Cycle NC event.
Application process begins in December

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