For the ninth year, the Port of Seattle’s Tourism Marketing Support Program offers matched funds to promote Washington state as a destination to out-of-state visitors. This year, funds are now doubled for eligible organizations in grants up to $20,000 each. Previously funded at $200,000 per year, this recent increase now allocates $600,000 to the program over a two-year period instead of one.
“Tourism plays a vital role to Washington’s economy as the fourth-largest industry in the state and is essential to the Port of Seattle,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman. “With this additional funding and increasing emphasis on sustainable tourism, this program will help provide the capacity for organizations to offer innovative and stewardship-driven ways to bring visitors to responsibly enjoy the rich, natural resources and cultures of our region.”
The program supports eligible Washington state organizations including chambers of commerce, convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), destination marketing organizations (DMOs), counties, cities, port districts, Native American nations, nonprofit attractions (museums and cultural interpretive centers), and nonprofit organizations that focus on events/activities that attract out-of-state visitors.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Port’s new Responsible Travel Handbook for advice and inspiration when putting together their proposals.
For details on the 2024-2025 Tourism Marketing Support Program, you are invited to attend one of our Information Sessions and/or our Drop-in Open Session for Q&A:
- Information Session: February 22, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. To attend, please REGISTER ONLINE
- Information Session: March 8, 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. To attend, please REGISTER ONLINE
- Drop-in Open Session for Q&A: March 14, 2024, drop in any time between the office hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to ask any questions you may have. REGISTER ONLINE
Since the program’s inception in 2016, 178 projects statewide have been awarded over $1,276,000 in Port grant funds and $1,039,315 in match funds from participating organizations.
Application documents and submittal instructions can be found at VendorConnect, by searching for current solicitation number 24-15. All Application Forms and Project Proposals are due no later than 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2024. Email applications to e-submittals-purch@portseattle.org.
Top photo: One of the key goals of the “We Belong Here” campaign was to communicate with the LGBTQ+ audience in key geographic markets, inviting new guests to fly into SEA Airport, rent a vehicle, and head south to the eclectic, artistic, and always welcoming community of Olympia. The campaign included the creation of a new landing page on experienceolympia.com and digital ads focused on Los Angeles, Sacramento, Phoenix, San Francisco, and more.
Contact:
Peter McGraw | Port of Seattle Senior Media Officer
(206) 787-3446 | mcgraw.p@portseattle.org
