This release was issued under a previous government.
Minister Starke announces the tourism growth grant program at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival
For 2014, the first round of grants through the Alberta government’s Festival and Events Growth Program go to the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Adventure Society ($35,000), the Rotary Club of Drayton Valley’s Thunder in the Valley festival ($25,000) and Wetaskiwin’s Friends of Reynolds Alberta Museum Society Harvest Festival ($25,000).
“Alberta has some of the most interesting and entertaining festivals and events in the world that have tremendous potential to attract more visitors from home and abroad.”
“As one of the largest international fringe theatre festivals in the world we play host to artists and theatre fans from all over Alberta, and around the globe. The grant will help us to understand how we can better work with our partners in Old Strathcona and the City of Edmonton to showcase more of what the festival, and the city has to offer over the course of those 10 days every August.”
“We are excited to receive this grant, which is going to help us identify opportunities to grow the event and attract more visitors from outside our community.”
“This grant will help us build a solid growth plan that will take our event to the next level and allow more people to experience the Harvest Festival. We also hope to apply what we learn to our other events.”
The Festival and Events Growth program helps established events in communities throughout Alberta increase attendance, generate more revenue, and enhance programming. Successful applicants will receive funding from $25,000 up to $40,000 to work with an expert to develop a plan to grow their event.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a registered Alberta not-for-profit organization, municipality or First Nations or Metis government.
- Events must occur annually.
- Events must attract a minimum of 1,500 attendees (25% out-of-town visitors).
Eligible festivals and event organizations interested in a Tourism Growth Program grant can apply by November 3, 2014.
Tourism contributes more than 100,000 jobs and $7 billion to Alberta’s economy from more than 30 million person-visits annually. The Alberta Tourism Framework aims to increase the economic impact to $10.3 billion by 2020 through a collaborative approach with the tourism industry to create, enhance and market the experiences that make Alberta a must-see destination for travellers everywhere.