Tourism co-op program seeks funding applicants

Application forms are now available online for Utah's cooperative marketing program.

The state Board of Tourism Development recently adopted guidelines for the state's co-op plan, which is designed to leverage Utah's $10 million branding and advertising campaign to lure more out-of-state tourists. Nonprofit entities are eligible to apply for $2 million appropriated by the Legislature for the current fiscal year.

The application and guidelines can be downloaded at travel.utah.gov. Tourism entities can apply for funding for print and electronic advertising, publications and other marketing projects that will be approved by the tourism board. The first application deadline is Oct. 15.

Those eligible for the co-op program include cities, counties, nonprofit destination marketing organizations and similar public entities that have been established as a nonprofit for at least one year. The Utah Office of Tourism will match up to 50 percent of the cost of a marketing project up to $100,000, with a $250,000 funding cap per entity per funding cycle. All projects must use the state brand and have a call to action.

The state plans to release $1 million by the end of 2005, and another $1 million will be available during the first half of 2006. Forms can be submitted to the tourism office from Oct. 1 through Dec. 1 for the first funding cycle. Applications for the second funding cycle will be accepted from Feb. 1 to May 1.