The Grand Marais Area Tourism Association (GMATA) together with Visit Cook County met on March 18 and reviewed 19 applications requesting funds from their Local Event Marketing Grant program.
The allocated budget for the program was $13,000 and there were requests totaling over $22,000. In order to prioritize and disperse the funds fairly, GMATA president Dave Tersteeg developed a ranking system. Seven GMATA board members rated applicants in three categories on a scale of 1 to 5: marketing plan, economic impact and season/timing of the event. Individual totals were then averaged as a group, creating a numerically ranked order. Events with similar scores were further critiqued on the likelihood of the event attracting overnight bookings and the group’s overall marketing budget and effectiveness.
The GMATA board noted that Grand Marais is a very event-centric area and there are many local community groups that put time and effort into hosting these events. The grant program was founded in 2011 as a way for GMATA to show appreciation to these groups with direct financial assistance from lodging tax collected. The financial assistance is to be used specifically for marketing events.
Grand Marais Area Tourism Association grant recipients were: Grand Marais Retailer’s Group (First Fridays) $700; Sivertson Gallery (Inuit Premiere) $500; Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply (North Shore Water Festival) $700; Cook County Curling Club (Bonspiel events and curling classes) $1,000; Grand Marais Lions Club (Fisherman’s Picnic fireworks) $1,000; Beaver House Family Fishing Festival $500; North Superior Ski & Run Club (Pincushion Family Ski Festival), $700; North Shore Music Association (2016 Concert Series) $1,000; Cook County Historical Society (Bally blacksmith demonstrations) $700; Cook County Farmers & Craft Market $500; Grand Marais Art Colony (Plein Air) $1,500; Grand Marais Playhouse (2016 Summer Theater Festival) $1,100; Superior Cycling Association (Sawtooth Mountain Challenge and Summer Ride Series) $700; Cook County Higher Education (2016 Guest Lecture Series) $500; and WTIP (Radio Waves Music Festival) $1,900.
“Events in the Grand Marais area are vital for keeping visitors entertained and wanting to come back. Thank you to all the groups who are event makers. Without a doubt, your efforts have a dramatic impact on visitation, increased commerce and community vitality,” said Tersteeg. “Our event marketing grant funds have been win-win-win by providing exposure for local groups, increase commerce for local businesses and satisfied visitors who share their experience and grow successful events.”
Grand Marais Area Tourism Association leadership is made up of Dave Tersteeg, Stephanie Slanga, Sue O’Quinn, Tom Nelson, Beth Kennedy, Paul Sporn and David Waldrop.
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