1. Hotel Occupancy Tax Grants
Presented by Shannon Overby
President & CEO
BCS Convention & Visitors Bureau

2. “The mission of the Brazos Valley
Convention and Visitors Bureau is to
enhance economic and social growth
in Bryan, College Station
and the Brazos Valley
by marketing, promoting, developing
and coordinating tourism, conventions,
sports and hospitality
opportunities in the area.”

3. Hotel Occupancy Tax
Two-Part Test
1. Must “directly enhance and promote
tourism AND the convention & hotel
industry”
2. Fit in to one of 8 catagories
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Convention Center
Convention Registration
Advertising/Promotion
Arts (maximum 15%)
Historical Preservation
Sporting Events
Enhancement of existing Sports Faciliteis
Transportation Systems

4. History
FY2011 – Rewards Program
FY2012 – Rewards Program
FY2013 – HOT Grant
FY2014 – HOT Grant via Panel (2x per year)

5. Rewards Program
To be the recognized and
respected leader in the
Brazos Valley responsible for
the Visitor Industry by our
communities, stakeholders
and customers

6. Rewards Program
FY2011 & FY2012
36 groups applied
21 groups qualified
18,495 attendees of groups held
3,220 attendees of groups still pending
Total Cost $
($16,850 paid / $5,750 pending)
Benefit – awareness by NEW groups
Downfall - Funds limited to CVB Budget
Only available to NEW groups

8. HOT Grant FY2013
Applicants
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11 organizations / 15 events
61,500 attendees
Total amound requested $292,205
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$205,205 from College Station
$87,000 from Bryan
Total Amount “Approved” = $131,178
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$107,046 from College Station
$24,132 from Bryan
Estimated Visitor Spending in Community =
over $28 million

9. HOT Grant FY2013
Pros
Allowed HOT funds to be spent for ROI
Completely transparent and fair
Protected Funding Partners & CVB
Allowed to incentivize groups to return/stay in
BCS
• Encouraged events on „need‟ dates
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Cons
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Process was extremely time consuming
No immediate response for client
Limited funds
Some organizations went around this system for
funding

10. HOT Grant FY 2014
Changes – Grant Panels twice a year
October Panel
• 9 organizations / 15 events
• 73,607 attendees
Total amount requested = $273,350
• $196,350 from College Station
• $77,000 from Bryan
Total amount funded = $143,250
• $110,950 from College Station
• $32,300 from Bryan
Estimate Economic Impact = $29.5 mil

11. HOT Grant FY 2014
March Panel
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11 Organizations / 13 Events
23,496 Attendees
$245,049 Requested
Estimated Economic Impact = $9.5 million
Pros
• Much Smoother Process
• Immediate Questions, Discussion, Decisions
• 25% up front invoice and payment easier
Cons
• Limited funds – $128,000 from CS
• Post event invoicing & Payments

12. HOT Grant Panel
Grant Panel
• CVB Executive Committee
• Both city Councils
• City appointments
• BVLA Appointment
• Arts Council Representative
• Representatives from City Manager’s Offices
Process
• Presentation & Q&A
• Evaluation
• Room Nights Generated
• Need Dates
• Potential for return
• Number of attendees (spectators &
participants/registrants)

13. WHAT’S NEXT?

14. HOT Grants in the future
• Increase Funds Available
• Unlimited?
• Percent of HOT Tax Collected?
• Simplify the invoice / payment process
• Invoice for full amount upfront
• Provide quarterly and annual report showing
what was paid out and what is left

15. Questions
Shannon Overby, CMP
979-260-9898
shannon@bcscvb.org
www.visitaggieland.com