Deadline: 18-May-22
The Maine Office of Tourism is now accepting applications for the Regional Destination Marketing Grant under Maine Tourism Marketing Partnership Program (MTMPP) to create and implement marketing programs designed to attract visitors to the eight designated Maine RDMOs (Regional Destination Marketing Organizations).
The goal of these funds is to assist new marketing initiatives and strengthen mature, healthy ones that align and support the Maine Office of Tourism’s (MOT) Five-Year Strategic Plan and Annual Plan.
Funding Information
For fiscal year 2023 (FY23), a minimum cash match of $10,000 is required.
Eligible Projects
The applicant must concentrate media weight and audience coverage in markets of opportunity to maintain repeat visitation and drive first-time visitation. Projects must drive inquiry and engagement with key vacation planning tools.
- Paid Advertising
- Public & Media Relations
- Website Development
- Photography & Video Asset Development
- Fulfillment
Regional guidebook distribution at ALL state operated Visitor Information Centers AND MOT attended consumer travel shows is required.
- Domestic & Canadian Leisure Travel & Trade Shows
- Multi-regional Partnerships
- Professional Development (pre-approval by MOT required)
- Community Outreach (must be coordinated with MOT)
- Administrative Expenses
Eligibility Criteria
- Regional Destination Marketing Organizations (RDMOs) whose primary purpose is to attract visitors to each of the eight designated regions are eligible to apply.
- The RDMO must be a Maine-based 501C3 or C6 and must have been in existence for a minimum of three years.
- The RDMO must have a focus on travel, tourism and destination promotion.
- The RDMO’s Board must be broadly representative of the designated region and should include individuals representing the tourism interests within the defined region.
- The RDMO must have dedicated staff/grant manager and demonstrate staffing capacity to execute the proposed marketing plan including but not limited to fulfillment, communications, reporting, invoicing and record keeping.
- The RDMO shall produce and execute an annual marketing plan consistent with the goals and objectives of the Maine Office of Tourism’s Five-Year Plan
- The RDMO must provide updates to its constituency about the progress of the MTMPP grant at the least on a quarterly basis, for the purpose of providing updates and gathering feedback and support of MTMPP grant projects. Community outreach funds may be used to support these efforts.
- A previous unsatisfactory grant history, for any reason, could immediately disqualify a new MTMPP application.
For more information, visit https://motpartners.com/programs-services/marketing-grants/