TOURISM Update
Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau 
200 Gunter Avenue/P.O. Box 711/Guntersville, Alabama 35976
(256)-582-7015/1-800-582-6282


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2006



The Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Now accepting event funding grant applications.

Got a special event you would like to host? One that will bring overnight stays to Marshall County? If so the Marshall County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau may be able to help. In October 2004 The MCCVB began a journey and never looked back. After much planning, meeting and presenting the Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau is now accepting applications for event funding grants for the promotion of special events in Marshall County. 

Beginning this past summer the Marshall County lodging facilities began collecting a one-dollar room surcharge to create a fund to bring special events to the area. The purpose and benefits of the funding will come from non residents of Marshall County, increase revenue for motels, restaurants, gas stations, retail stores, etc., decrease the need for financial sponsorships from local businesses and/or local governments, increase exposure for Marshall County events, facilities and attractions. It will encourage development of new events: Conventions & Conferences, Festivals, Athletic Tournaments, Etc., encourage future growth in Marshall County: Hotels, Restaurants, Public Facilities, etc., improve working relations between cities within Marshall County and increased awareness of tourism industry.

This grant program is for local groups and organizations coordinating events with a demonstrated history of visitor impact or significant potential to draw overnight visitors to the area. Each application will be evaluated against established criteria and historic precedent. The number and extent of these grants will be dependent upon availability of funds and specific allocations. Ideally, the funds allocated by the CVB will eventually be returned through an increase in lodging tax throughout the county.

The grant applications are available by contacting the Marshall County Convention & Visitors Bureau. They can be reached by e-mail at mccvb@charterinternet.com or by phone at (256) 582-7015. 

Lisa O. Socha, Executive Director
lsocha@charterinternet.com
Marshall County CVB
200 Gunter Ave., P.O. Box 711
Guntersville, Alabama 35976
marshallcountycvb@charterinternet.com
www.marshallcountycvb.com