Ideas Wanted

The Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) was established by Snohomish County following a petition for establishment from the lodging industry. The primary goal of the TPA is to increase overnight stays in Snohomish County. The TPA is looking to provide grant support to new ideas and events that bring loads of life and overnight lodging to the County. 

Come One, And All

This program is open to applications from public, nonprofit or private entities with a demonstrated ability to accomplish the proposed project. Bring your big ideas to Snohomish County. The Advisory Board meets the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings are currently being held virtually via Zoom. Grant applications need to be submitted by the first of that month in order to be presented to the Advisory Board.

Your Creativity is the Limit

Some projects in our region that we know to be successful include a focus on outdoor recreation, sporting events, conventions and tradeshows, festivals, niche conferences and concerts…but that's not all. Chances are you've got an idea for something we haven't even thought of yet.

Marketing & Promotions

TPA Funds support marketing and promotion of events that increase visitors and hotel stays in Snohomish County. Previous median project funding has been $40,000. The TPA generally does not support administrative, venue, operations, or personnel-related costs. Projects are one-year funding unless otherwise indicated.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Location: All projects must take place within Snohomish County limits, or within reasonable proximity thereof, and/or produce overnight stays at lodging properties within Snohomish County.

Acknowledgment: Any published collateral produced as a result of this funding shall prominently feature the following credit: Made Possible In Part Through The Support of the TPA Fund Of Snohomish County, Washington.

Legality: All proposed projects must comply with the laws of the Federal Government, State of Washington, and Snohomish County.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The project applications are due the 1st of each month, and must address the following specific areas:

• Eligibility: Each applicant will concisely define the service to be provided and to demonstrate how it will do so. The project will be in compliance with state statutes and County ordinances governing the use of Tourism Promotion Area Funds, and will support the strategies in the 2018-2022 Strategic Tourism Plan.
  

• Project Summary: The applicant will submit a scope of work, which describes the project in detail. Special consideration will be given to projects that result in overnight stays during off-season: January to May and September to December, as well as multiple hotel impact within the County.
  

• Promotion & Marketing Plan: Will include a description of the plan to advertise, publicize, and distribute information for this project. Description should include who will be developing the marketing materials or promotions.
  

• Time Line: The scope of work will include a time line indicating when each task will be undertaken and/or completed. Project funding is annual; multiyear projects will need to reapply each new calendar year, as needed.
  

• Budget: The project budget will include both revenue and expense categories; all income (including in-kind) will be broken out by amount and source, and expenses will be itemized. (In-kind donations and matching amounts must note how the line item was calculated or estimated).
  

• Reimbursement: TPA support for funded projects is provided on a reimbursement basis.  Proof of payment must be shown before reimbursement can be made by the County.
  

• Reporting: Each funded project applicant will be required to submit a final report and invoice at the end of the project, and may be required to submit periodic progress reports during the course of the project. The final report will include tourism impacts including number of hotel room nights generated by the event. (Final report must be submitted no later than December 31, of the year project takes place.)  Click here for a link to the final report.
  

• Contact Person: Each project application will designate a primary individual as the contact for the project. This individual will be the primary representative in dealings with the County.
  

• Hotel References: Each project application will include the contact information from representatives of two lodging establishments located within Snohomish County; these contacts will serve as a reference for the project benefit to the lodging industry.

tpa ADVISORY board

The TPA Advisory Board meets regularly on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Special meetings are scheduled as needed in consideration of board member and/or applicant scheduling conflicts or to address time sensitive business. All meetings begin at 3:00 p.m. unless specifically noted otherwise below.

Unless specifically noted otherwise below, the TPA Advisory Board meets are held virtually via Zoom Conference.

Please check Meeting and Agenda details below for a zoom link.

Meeting minutes are posted as they are approved by the TPA Advisory Board.

2023 Meetings

ALL MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY HELD VIA ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCE

AGENDAS

Click on dates to view Agendas & Zoom Link

January 17, 2023 - No meeting

March 21, 2023

May 16, 2023

July 18, 2023

September 19, 2023

November 21, 2023

MINUTES

Click on dates to view Meeting Minutes

January 17, 2023 - No meeting

March 21, 2023

May 16, 2023

July 18, 2023

September 19, 2023

November 21, 2023