The Crookston Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) met on Tuesday morning at the Irishman’s Shanty.
MINNESOTA TWINS OFFICIAL YEARBOOK ADVERTISEMENT DENIED
CVB Chairman Bob Magsam informed the board about a recent discussion with the Minnesota Twins for the CVB to be featured in the official yearbook for all 81 home games. The advertising cost for half of a page in the program is $10,000; for a full page, it jumps to $39,500. The board found consensus to not move forward with the advertising. “The consensus from the board (from that money) is there are other ways we can spend it,” said Magsam. “That could have a lot more local benefit to our community.”
CVB AWARDS ENTITIES GRANT FUNDING
The board, however, did approve awarding marketing grant funding to the Blue Line Club in the amount of $500 for radio advertising regarding their upcoming tournament. The board also awarded the Downtown Crookston Development Partnership (DCDP) a marketing grant in the amount of $450 to help advertise the Broadway at the Grand (Theatre) event, which will cover the cost of poster and flyer distribution.
The board reviewed the marketing grant application from UMC that will be used during the summer of 2024. “This is tying farmers market and their community garden,” said Magsam. “Also, they are scheduling an art and a wine walk for August and its long-term deal. The goal is to revitalize that image and attract people from the region to attend.” UMC has applied for $3,000 from the CVB to assist in promoting this event with visual promotion and radio advertisement. The board ultimately approved awarding UMC the grant funding.
The board also approved the marketing grant reimbursement in the amount of $612 to the Ice Buster Days Committee.
CVB UPDATED GRANT GUIDELINES
Magsam closed the meeting by informing the board about recent grant guideline changes and updates for future applicants. “The executive board did meet, and we wanted to update these grant guidelines,” said Magsam. “Some of the questioning regarding these guidelines and applications in general; one of the changes we felt to make that we were no longer going to necessarily cap the funding to $3,000.”
Previously, the CVB required any entity who applied for a grant to be present at the CVB meetings and present their application and why they were seeking grant funding. The board found consensus that smaller grants didn’t need much explanation, and many of these presentations are not deemed necessary. “We know what these events are and how they are spending their marketing dollars,” said Magsam, “We felt that smaller grants (under $3,000 value) don’t necessarily need to come and give a presentation. They’re more than welcome to, but it will no longer be a requirement.”
The CVB will meet on Thursday, March 14, at 7:00 a.m. at the Irishman’s Shanty.
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