Tourism Red Deer’s business plan is getting a $50,000 boost from Red Deer County.
County council agreed on Tuesday to provide the tourism organization an additional $50,000 on top of the $50,000 already provided in operating funding.
A request to have the funding increase to $75,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2025 was deferred until next year.
Sandy Badry, county economic development officer, said the Tourism Red Deer Business Plan is a new initiative that will enable the organization to be a united voice for the region and allow it to compete for bigger events than it could in the past when less funding was available.
Tourism Red Deer “will focus on hosting medium- and large-scale events and strategically attracting new ones to our region to drive visitor economy, economic impact and benefit to our communities and businesses,” said Badry.
As the initiative takes shape future sponsorship and funding requests from event organizers would go to Tourism Red Deer to be reviewed to determine if they fall within its mandate. A committee will be comprised of representatives from municipalities, the hospitality industry, sports organizations and groups already hosting events such as Westerner Park to consider opportunities.
Tourism Red Deer might then provide the sponsorship rather than event organizers going to municipalities individually.
Coun. Philip Massier said the request to increase funding in 2024 and 2025 suggests the tourism organization has some big plans. But he wants to see how the first year goes before considering further funding.
Mayor Jim Wood said he supports Tourism Red Deer’s plans but does not want the county to lose its autonomy as an event sponsor. Events such as AgriTrade and the Canadian Finals Rodeo are important events for the county.
Coun. Dana Depalme voted against the funding. She was concerned there is not enough involvement from communities within the county at this stage.