Event Support Grants

Funder: Visit Canton (Stark County Convention & Visitors' Bureau), Canton, OH

Program Overview:
Event support investments aim to increase regional visitation and economic impact through visitor spending by supporting sporting events & tournaments, conferences, professional meetings, expos, and complementary experiences to qualifying events.

Purpose & Goals

Visit Canton Event Support investments must accomplish one or more of the following:

• Attract and/or retain events that generate significant visitor spending in Stark County
• Increase attendance at recurring events that generate significant visitor spending in Stark County
• Maximize visitor spending for an established event by executing additional programs, initiatives, etc.

Award Information

• Maximum Award: Up to $10,000 per event
• Application Process: Competitive application process throughout the calendar year, pending available funds
• Award Timeline: Rolling basis

Eligibility Requirements

• Events must have a minimum commitment of 125 Stark County hotel room nights and/or 400-day visitors from outside of Stark County
• Event Support Grant applications must be submitted at least 90 days before the scheduled event
• Events must take place during the 2027 calendar year

Geographic Scope

• Stark County, Ohio and surrounding region

Contact Information

• Contact Person: Zita Blile
• Email: zitab@visitcanton.com
• Address: Visit Canton, 401 Market Ave. N, Canton, OH 44702
• Phone: (330) 454-1439 | (800) 552-6051

Important Notes

• Grant funds are awarded for the year/project indicated in the application and are not intended to be a commitment of support for funding in future years
• All organizations and projects are subject to applicable annual grant application and committee review processes
• Grant eligibility, application, and committee review processes are subject to change
• Grant funds are not eligible to pay for Visit Canton Official Travel Guide advertising or VisitCanton.com sponsored content (though these can count toward matching requirements)

How to Apply

1. Contact Visit Canton to discuss event support opportunities
   • Reach out to Zita Blile at zitab@visitcanton.com
   • She will provide an online application for qualifying events
2. Application Timeline
   • Applications opened September 10, 2025
   • Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout 2026
   • Must be submitted at least 90 days before the event start date
3. Required Information
   • Event details and date
   • Expected hotel room nights and/or day visitor numbers
   • Demonstration of ability to successfully execute a professional caliber event
   • Supporting documentation
4. Award Consideration Factors
   • Total Available Grant Budget
   • Total Eligible Grant Applications Submitted
   • Estimated Economic Impact of Event
   • Demonstrated ability to successfully execute a professional caliber event based upon submitted application and supporting documentation