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? Start here.

First Name

Last Name

Contact Phone

Company Name

Event Name

Event Date(s)

Event Address

What funding are you applying for? (To select multiple, press and hold "ctrl" while selecting options)

Is this a new event for St. Mary's County?

If yes, how many attendees are you expecting? What is your goal?

If no, what was your total visitor count for the last event?

If this is a repeat event, What are you planning to do differently this year to drive further visitation and/or increased overnight stays? (500-character limit)

Is this a multi-day event?

Is the event a fundraiser?

If yes, please describe. (500-character limit)

Is this event open to the public?

How is this event accessible for all? (500-character limit)

What is the economic and/or social impact to the community and businesses within St. Mary’s County? (500-character limit)

What is the safety/security plan for the event? (500-character limit)

Who is your target audience for the event? (500-character limit)

What is your refund policy for cancelled events? If your event is outdoors, what are your weather contingency plans? (500-character limit)

What is your marketing budget for the event? (MAAP Applicants only)

Please upload your marketing plan (only required for MAAP applicants). If you need an example or template, please email: info@visitstmarysmd.com

Please upload your sponsorship package options (only required for sponsorship applicants). I.e., sponsorship levels

Do you agree to receive future communications from Visit St. Mary's MD?

Do you agree to meet with the Visit St. Mary's MD team for a pre-event kick off and post-event review?

Yes