Visit SoSi Tourism Sponsorship

The Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism’s Visit SoSi Tourism Sponsorship Program is currently closed. Sponsorships recipients will be announced in September of 2024. 

The Danville Office of Economic Development is requiring a report on the effectiveness of the program that will show a return on investment and demonstrate that the funding has a significant economic impact. 

Click below to see examples of a final report and reimbursement request. 

The Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism, in its role as the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County, is offering sponsorships as a means to foster partnerships between our local tourism stakeholders. The intention of the “Visit SoSi Tourism Sponsorship” is to help stakeholders create new experiences that elevate community presence, attract new visitors, and support the local economy.

Only one sponsorship per year will be allocated to the same project. Applicants are reminded that all sponsorships are awarded on a year-by-year basis and are not to be considered as an ongoing source of funding.

The primary focus will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that their initiative will “increase visitation and/or exposure of the destination through promotional efforts.” As the DMO’s mission is to attract visitation to include overnight stays, the focus by reviewers who examine applications will be whether the activity and/or event proposed can either attract out-of-area visitors or extend their stay.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Eligibility:

  • Only online applications entered into the Visit SoSi Tourism Sponsorship portal will be evaluated.

  • Each submittal must include the following:

    • an event budget to include a detailed list of all revenue sources

    • a history of attendance/participation or anticipated attendance, if first time project

    • targeted markets

    • an operational plan outlining logistical, marketing and permitting details

  • The proposed event or activity must enhance the quality of life, generate economic impact, and increase tourism for the City of Danville and/or Pittsylvania County.

  • The event should have measurable objectives with clear performance standards that demonstrates the program or event’s effectiveness.

  • A complete listing of proposed sponsors.

  • Initiatives must exhibit collaboration between local/region Danville and/or Pittsylvania County stakeholders and contribute to the broader well-being of the community.

  • Initiatives must take place in or have a major element taking place within the City of Danville and/or Pittsylvania County.

  • Must be current on taxes and utilities, city facility, public works, and public safety fees and cannot have outstanding code violations within the city of Danville.

  • Ineligible Costs

    • Taxes

    • Staff wages/salaries.

    • Costs of land, building or vehicle purchase.

    • Fees for administrators, including payments to any member or officer of the recipients’ board of directors.

Important Information

  • Sponsorship requests of up to $10,000.

  • Approval/Decline of applications will be at the sole discretion of the Danville Office of Economic Development and Tourism based the application and/or budget available.

  • The Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism has the right to reduce any request based on the nature of the project and/or funds available.

  • Applications may not be approved at the full amount requested.

  • A final report (form provided by Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism) along with any accompanying documents must be submitted within 30 days of the end of the event.

  • For Events Only: You may submit your event in the Visit SoSi event calendar found in https://www.visitsosi.com/events/submit-event/. We will also schedule a social media post of your event across the Visit SoSi social media channels.

  • Please note: should your application be successful, recipients at minimum agree to acknowledge the sponsorship of Visit SoSi and the City of Danville through the following; including the Visit SoSi and City of Danville logos and/or hashtag #VisitSoSi and #CityofDanville in promotional materials and/or social media posts; having Visit SoSi and City of Danville promotional materials prominently displayed for your visitors to take. (Logo and/or promotional materials will be supplied)

Acceptance of terms
By submitting this form, you are confirming that all information is final and that you have read and accept the Terms and Conditions of this program.

Applications must be made using the attached form, and any draft promotional materials emailed to Lisa.Meriwether@VisitSoSi.com by the stated deadline for consideration.