Don’t Leave Destination Dollars on the Table

April 9, 2026

Across destinations, tourism bureaus are putting real dollars behind meetings and events. However, these incentives aren’t handed out; they’re applied for, often early, and with specific requirements planners need to understand upfront.

Here are a few examples of what’s out there for in terms of grant programs designed to assist with conference and meeting costs:

Canada (incl. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal): Canada’s award-winning International Convention Attraction Program (ICAP), backed by $60 million in federal funding, helps secure international conferences through brand marketing, global trade show engagement and targeted bid funding of up to $1 million per event.

Visit Columbia (MO): Administers a Tourism Development Program that provides up to $15,000 annually for events occurring between October and September. Applications must be submitted at least 120 days before the event, and funds are intended to drive overnight visitation to local hotels.

Harrison CVB and Explore Harrison (AR): Provides a Tourism Grant Funding Program to enhance or create events that attract out-of-town visitors. Qualifying projects must demonstrate an ability to stimulate economic growth, overnight stays, and restaurant usage in the Harrison area.

Crookston Visitors Bureau (MN): Offers grants to non-profits and business organizations for events geared toward creating an economic impact on local lodging facilities. Applicants must provide an event budget and a sponsorship recognition plan.

Visit Gainesville (FL): With the Meeting Advantage Program/Conference Grant, meetings and conferences that utilize hotel block rooms are supported by grants of up to $10,000 per conference based on production of conference-based room nights.

Mass.gov: Recently awarded a $100,000 Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) grant to support recovery efforts and event promotion in the Western Massachusetts region. CVB grants generally focus on the economic impact an event has on the destination.

Wisconsin Dells VCB: Offers grants specifically designed to boost regional conventions and new athletic tournaments. Intended to help bring events to life and support their overall success in the Wisconsin Dells area, the funds are awarded to the DMO for expenses they would incur in hosting. More info: travelwisconsin.com.

Other Major CVB-Related Funding

While not always labeled as “grants,” some larger bureaus receive significant funding to provide incentives for major conventions, including the San Diego Tourism Marketing District, which has provided over $35 million in funding to the San Diego Tourism Authority/San Diego Convention and Tourist Bureau for promotional and hospitality activities.

Other types of CVB funding are meant to offset planner costs and help destinations stay competitive. Here are some examples: