Commerce’s Event Grant Promotes Tourism and Contributes to Virginia City Miner’s Day Success
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The Economic Impact and Destination Event Grant Program, administered by the Montana Department of Commerce, aims to boost local economies by attracting tourism through destination events. Authorized under Senate Bill 540, this program offers grants to help communities market and host events that will draw regional, national and international visitors.
Funded events are designed to promote Montana as a destination location by showcasing the state’s unique culture, landscapes and attractions to generate additional revenue and promote economic sustainability. Eligible applicants of the program include non-profits, cooperatives, local governments and certain tribal entities.
To help communities plan and manage their events effectively, the program offers a toolkit including resources such as templates and guides for marketing, planning and executing successful events. It also highlights the importance of measurable success, offering survey tools and tourism spending data from Commerce’s Tourism Research webpage.
The Virginia City Chamber of Commerce was one successful awardee of the EIDE grant. A new annual event, Miner’s Day, was held for the first time in 2023. Miner’s Day was created to attract more visitors to historic Virginia City during the month of September, extending the town’s tourism season beyond Labor Day. Through the funding, marketing resources and planning guides of the EIDE program, the event was a resounding success, bringing an economic boost to local businesses during what is traditionally a quieter period for the town.
According to Christina Koch, one of the event’s coordinators, Saturdays in September see light foot traffic in Virginia City. However, during Miner’s Day, the town’s streets were filled with visitors and parking lots were packed, emulating crowds that only occur in the peak of summer.
Local businesses also saw the benefits of the event, experiencing a substantial increase in revenue. One retail store owner reported making $2,070 of sales during Miner’s Day, a significant rise compared to the $347 earned on the same day in previous years. Food vendors also saw an impressive increase, with sales up by 45%. Two restaurants that had initially closed for the season remained open to meet the event’s demand.
The activities at Miner’s Day were designed to cater to families, with popular events such as gold panning and a donut-eating contest that drew large crowds. Families appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere, with 100% of attendees expressing interest in returning for future events. Many survey respondents complimented the event’s organization and preparation, a direct result of the resources utilized from the EIDE program.
Through the Miner’s Day success story, along with several others, the EIDE program has proven a vital resource for Montana communities looking to grow their tourism industry and stimulate local economies. By providing the tools and financial support needed to host destination events, this program not only offers direct economic benefits, but also fosters a sense of pride and engagement within communities. As the program continues to fund events across Montana, communities have the chance to showcase their unique character to visitors, promoting sustainable tourism and economic growth for the future.
If you think your organization or community could benefit from the EIDE grant or one of Commerce's other tourism grants, visit the Tourism Grant program webpage where additional resources and application guidelines are available.
Funded events are designed to promote Montana as a destination location by showcasing the state’s unique culture, landscapes and attractions to generate additional revenue and promote economic sustainability. Eligible applicants of the program include non-profits, cooperatives, local governments and certain tribal entities.
To help communities plan and manage their events effectively, the program offers a toolkit including resources such as templates and guides for marketing, planning and executing successful events. It also highlights the importance of measurable success, offering survey tools and tourism spending data from Commerce’s Tourism Research webpage.
The Virginia City Chamber of Commerce was one successful awardee of the EIDE grant. A new annual event, Miner’s Day, was held for the first time in 2023. Miner’s Day was created to attract more visitors to historic Virginia City during the month of September, extending the town’s tourism season beyond Labor Day. Through the funding, marketing resources and planning guides of the EIDE program, the event was a resounding success, bringing an economic boost to local businesses during what is traditionally a quieter period for the town.
According to Christina Koch, one of the event’s coordinators, Saturdays in September see light foot traffic in Virginia City. However, during Miner’s Day, the town’s streets were filled with visitors and parking lots were packed, emulating crowds that only occur in the peak of summer.
Local businesses also saw the benefits of the event, experiencing a substantial increase in revenue. One retail store owner reported making $2,070 of sales during Miner’s Day, a significant rise compared to the $347 earned on the same day in previous years. Food vendors also saw an impressive increase, with sales up by 45%. Two restaurants that had initially closed for the season remained open to meet the event’s demand.
The activities at Miner’s Day were designed to cater to families, with popular events such as gold panning and a donut-eating contest that drew large crowds. Families appreciated the family-friendly atmosphere, with 100% of attendees expressing interest in returning for future events. Many survey respondents complimented the event’s organization and preparation, a direct result of the resources utilized from the EIDE program.
Through the Miner’s Day success story, along with several others, the EIDE program has proven a vital resource for Montana communities looking to grow their tourism industry and stimulate local economies. By providing the tools and financial support needed to host destination events, this program not only offers direct economic benefits, but also fosters a sense of pride and engagement within communities. As the program continues to fund events across Montana, communities have the chance to showcase their unique character to visitors, promoting sustainable tourism and economic growth for the future.
If you think your organization or community could benefit from the EIDE grant or one of Commerce's other tourism grants, visit the Tourism Grant program webpage where additional resources and application guidelines are available.
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