Tourism Marketing Initiative Grant Program

Marketing Initiative Grants must: (a) provide for the growth of cultural tourism in Calcasieu Parish; (b) improve the overall cultural atmosphere and quality of life for the citizens of Calcasieu Parish; and (c) provide for the stabilization of arts and humanities organizations through increased audience attendance and community participation in projects

Grant funds shall be used in one or more of the following areas:

• Advertising and promotion efforts to expand attendance at arts and cultural events and to inform the public of new or existing events that are appropriate for the tourism market;
• Co-operative advertising directed to incoming visitors to Calcasieu Parish;
• Brochure development and printing for a festival, attraction, or other cultural program or event. Membership or other brochures used primarily for fundraising by an organization shall not be considered eligible under this grants program.
• Other eligible expenses include:
• Website or other web-based design or development;
• Digital or print billboards;
• Printing for programs, flyers, handbills, posters, or other promotional print materials;
• TV or radio commercials
• Public relations, press kits
• Print or online advertising;
• Special advertising or promotional items
• All brochures should be available to the public at least sixty (60) days prior to the event/season promoted within. In addition, any print materials supplied to the CVB should be accompanied by a distribution list that indicates when and where the materials should be used.
• All applications should involve marketing industry professionals as appropriate for the project (advertising, graphic design, printing, public relations, etc.). Additionally, all project applications should address the organization’s distribution and marketing plan created as a result of the project.