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Marketing & Sponsorship Program

Hosting an event in St. Mary’s County? Start here.

Visit St. Mary’s MD’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Marketing and Sponsorship Program provides event planners with financial and/or marketing support ahead of their event. In general, allocated funds and/or in-kind services are used to grow event attendance, build destination awareness, and encourage overnight stays in St. Mary’s County.

Tourism-related businesses, nonprofits, event organizers, sports groups, and local community groups can apply for one or both of the following options:

1. The Marketing & Advertising Amplification Program (MAAP) enhances events with advertising and promotional support aimed at boosting overnight tourism. If awarded, VSMMD will use the resources allocated through MAAP for things like:

  • Print and digital advertisement
  • Search engine optimization
  • Television and radio advertisements
  • Billboards, transit marketing, etc.
  • Social media
  • Event collateral

2. Event Sponsorship provides direct funding to support new/growing events and well-established signature events. Eligible events should attract overnight visitors and provide a marketing/sponsorship opportunity for VSMMD. VSMMD will provide sponsorship dollars in line with the sponsorship package offered for the event organizers.

What events are eligible for sponsorships and MAAP:

  • Arts, culture and heritage events (multi-cultural festivals, performances, art festivals, film festivals, food & beverage festivals)
  • Exhibition, trade events and conferences
  • Spectator sporting events
  • Organized races and competitions
  • Live music festivals

Events that are not eligible for sponsorships and MAAP:

  • Community events/holiday celebrations that target residents rather than attract visitors*
  • Fully virtual events
  • Private events
  • Political fundraisers and events
  • Religious aspects of any organization, event or promotional campaign

* VSMMD may sponsor community-based events if they are in support of the tourism industry/stakeholders and have the potential to attract out-of-county attendees

To be considered, applicants should:

  • Submit a complete application: The application form and all supporting documentation must be submitted in full at the time of application.
  • Provide a post-event performance report: Recipients must provide a post-event performance report including visitor data and outline of how the funds were utilized.
  • Provide economic impact information: Attendee demographics, origination zip codes, coordinated room blocks, and other data to assess economic impact metrics like local spending, hotel occupancy, and sales tax revenue.
  • Track how attendees found out about their event (collected online during ticket purchase, asked upon check-in to event, post-event surveys, etc.)
  • For repeat events: Provide data from previous years including ticket sales/attendee totals, available demographics, and publicity photos.
  • Have good legal and financial standing: Applicants must be in good legal and financial standing with County, the State of Maryland, and the local community throughout the application process and sponsorship period.
  • Follow all local, state and federal laws pertaining to safety and security. There should be a plan in place to ensure event security and safety of all participants, attendees, and staff.'
  • Not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, age, or genetic information (including family medical history).
  • One sponsorship and MAAP award per organization per fiscal year (July 1-June 30); organizations may request a sponsorship in addition to the MAAP.

Ready to apply? Accepting applications beginning December 1.