Columbia County Tourist Development Council

You can always find something to dive into in the heart of Lake City – Florida’s Springlands, because there’s a team of dedicated, experienced people at the Columbia County Tourist Development Council to help make ideal experiences a reality.

Meet The Team

Michelle Moore

Marketing Coordinator

mmoore@columbiacountyfla.com

386-758-1312

Chris Coleman

Sports and Small Group Sales

ccoleman@columbiacountyfla.com

386-719-1453

Kilee Mathis

Office Manager

kmathis@columbiacountyfla.com

386-758-1312

Event Funding Requests

Need financial help to make your event happen in Columbia County?

Sponsorship funding is available if your event attracts large numbers of visitors from outside the County.

Sponsorship Requirements

Events must include an advertising and promotional component outside of the Columbia County media footprint. Eligible media may include broadcast, web, social media, and print. Use of the TDC logo is a protected brand asset. Pre-approval is required for all logo placements. Marketing materials, advertisements, or promotional items featuring the TDC logo must be submitted to the TDC Marketing Coordinator for review and approval prior to use.

Funding Information

Sponsorship funding is provided on a reimbursement basis through the Tourist Development Tax (TDT). This local option tax is authorized by the Florida Legislature, imposed by local governments, and collected by hotels, vacation rentals, and campsites in Columbia County.
Awards may differ from the requested amount. Receiving funds for a new event in one year does not guarantee future funding for the same project.
If your event is canceled, does not take place, or is otherwise unable to be fulfilled as outlined in your application, the awarded funds will not be paid.
Any changes or modifications to an awarded project must be reported immediately in writing to the TDC for review and possible approval.

Post-Event Reporting

Organizations receiving funding are required to:

Work with the TDC Marketing Coordinator and Paradise Advertising to ensure the TDC brand is properly represented.
Submit a Post-Event Report to the TDC Marketing Coordinator (via email at mmoore@columbiacountyfla.com or delivered during office hours) including:
An invoice on official letterhead requesting reimbursement (up to, but not exceeding, the approved amount).
Final budget with paid receipts/invoices for all approved expenses.
Proof of media and marketing execution.
Verified data on hotel room nights or campsite bookings generated by the event.
Copies of all marketing materials featuring the Visit Lake City, Florida s Springlands logo.
Summary of economic and tourism impact.
Photos of the event or project.
Any additional documentation as requested.
Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to: travel costs, salaries, benefits, and personnel expenses.

Application Deadlines

July 15 – For events held after October 1
October 15 – For events held after January 1
January 15 – For events held after April 1
April 15 – For events held after July 1

Important

Applications must be received before the designated deadline. Late submissions will not be considered for that sponsorship cycle.
Only one application per event per fiscal year will be accepted.
Handwritten applications will not be accepted. All questions must be answered in full; if not applicable, mark N/A.

Contact Information

Michelle Moore
Marketing Coordinator Columbia County Tourist Development
Visit Lake City, Florida’s Springlands
Ph: (386) 758-1312
E: mmoore@columbiacountyfla.com

Step 1 of 8

12%

SECTION 1 of 8: ORGANIZATION PROFILE (*Required)

Primary Contact Name*(Required)

Primary Contact Title*(Required)

Business/Organization Name*(Required)

Primary Contact Email Address*(Required)

Primary Contact Phone*(Required)

Business Address*(Required)

City*(Required)

State*(Required)

Zip*(Required)

Secondary Contact Name

Secondary Contact Title

Secondary Contact Email Address

Secondary Contact Phone

Business Model (Select One):

SECTION 2 of 8: EVENT DETAILS (*Required)

Event Name*(Required)

Type of Event*(Required)

Event Start Date*(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Event End Date*(Required)

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Event Location (Venue & Address):*(Required)

City*(Required)

State*(Required)

Zip*(Required)

Event Start Time*(Required)

Event End Time*(Required)

Event Years Held*(Required)

Expected Total Attendance*(Required)

Total Participants*(Required)

Expected Total Overnight Stays*(Required)

Will hotel/campground data be collected? *(Required)

Method to collect hotel data*(Required)

SECTION 3 of 8: SPONSORSHIP REQUEST (*Required)

Amount of Funding Requested*(Required)

Sponsorship Level/Type*(Required)

Previously Funded by Columbia County TDC? If yes, list years*(Required)

Other Sponsors*(Required)

How will Visit Lake City be recognized onsite and in promotions?*(Required)

Request Visit Lake City Event Tents? *(Required)

Describe Tent Usage*(Required)

SECTION 4 of 8: MARKETING & MEDIA (*Required)

Will advertising run outside Columbia County?*(Required)

Select all that apply*(Required)

Radio

Outdoor

Digital

Social Media

Website URL*(Required)

Social Media Handles*(Required)

Will Visit Lake City appear in materials? *(Required)

Logo placement description*(Required)

Will logo link to LakeCityFL.com or related?*(Required)

Post-event media exposure?*(Required)

Post-event media exposure description*(Required)

SECTION 5 of 8: AUDIENCE PROFILE (*Required)

Project Income*(Required)

Registration/Tickets*(Required)

Merch/Concessions*(Required)

Sponsorships (Gov)*(Required)

(Non-Gov)*(Required)

Other

Total Income*(Required)

Project Expenses: (Indicate which use TDC funds)

Marketing

Production

Site Fees

Insurance

Awards/Sanctions

Other

Total Expenses*(Required)

SECTION 6 of 8: POST-EVENT COMPLIANCE (*Required)

Grantees must submit a Post-Event Report within 30 days, including:

Organizations receiving funding are required to:

Work with the TDC Marketing Coordinator and Paradise Advertising to ensure the TDC brand is properly represented.
Submit a Post-Event Report to the TDC Marketing Coordinator (via email at mmoore@columbiacountyfla.com or delivered during office hours) including:
An invoice on official letterhead requesting reimbursement (up to, but not exceeding, the approved amount).
Final budget with paid receipts/invoices for all approved expenses.
Proof of media and marketing execution.
Verified data on hotel room nights or campsite bookings generated by the event.
Copies of all marketing materials featuring the Visit Lake City, Florida's Springlands logo.
Summary of economic and tourism impact.
Photos of the event or project.
Any additional documentation as requested.