PRESS RELEASE: The City of West Bend Tourism Commission awarded six nonprofit organizations with event promotion grants totaling $10,000. These grants are intended to support promotional efforts to attract tourism and enhance economic impact on the City of West Bend for events taking place from May 1-September 30, 2023.
2023 Spring/Summer Event Promotion Grants include:
$4,000 to the Museum of Wisconsin Art for Art & Chalk Fest 2023on August 19-20
$4,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties for West Bend Germanfest on August 24-27
$1,250 to Casa Guadalupe Education Center for Fiesta Latina on May 20
$250 to Roots and Branches for the Gardens of West Bend event on July 16-17
$250 to The Bend Theater for Hotel California – Tribute to the Eagles on May 31-June 1
$250 to West Bend Friends of Parks and Recreation for Regner Summer Concert Series, June 16-July 19
"The Tourism Commission is proud to continue the event promotion grant for local organizations in 2023,” said Chairman Jay Shambeau. “There are many great events happening in West Bend throughout the summer, and we’re excited to assist in marketing and promotion to make each event a success.”
One of the primary purposes of these funds is to attract overnight leisure visitors to stay in West Bend hotels. Priority is given to marketing directed outside of Washington County and the creation of new events. Entities awarded the largest dollar amounts best demonstrated the likeliness of attracting overnight visitors and high numbers of leisure travelers from outside of the local community.
Members of the Tourism Commission include Chairman Jay Shambeau, District 2 Alderman Mark Allen, District 6 Alderman Tracy Ahrens, and business representative Maximillian Sallinen. The Tourism Commission met on the evening of Tuesday, January 17 to review each grant application and award available funding. Applicants in attendance had an opportunity to provide an overview of their event.
In addition to the Spring/Summer Event Promotion Grant, the Tourism Commission will offer a Fall/Winter Tourism Promotion Grant totaling up to $10,000. Funds may be requested for tourism marketing held between October 1, 2023-March 31, 2024. The online application opens March 1, 2023 at www.ci.west-bend.wi.us.
