City grant to help non-profits host conventions, trade shows
Local non-profit organizations will be able to get seed money from the city to host conferences, conventions and trade shows under a new grant program council unanimously approved on Monday night.
Dubbed MeetingsPG, it will provide as much as $7,500 per event, depending on the cumulative number of paid nights delegates spend in the city’s hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts.
To get that amount, the total will have to be at least 501 nights.
For 301 to 500 nights, up to $5,000 would be provided, for 101 to 300 nights, the amount would be up to $2,500, and for 50 to 100 nights, it would be up to $500.
Coun. Cori Ramsay raised a concern that groups unable to attract the minimum 50 nights would be shut out.
In answer, social planning manager Chris Bone said the number represents a total of 25 delegates each spending two nights in the city.
As for whether a non-profit could host an event large enough to draw more than 500 nights, Bone said the Ignite conference hosted by AimHi and Inclusion B.C. in 2016 would probably have met that threshold.
In approving the program, council also voted to earmark up to $25,000 out of the $75,000 council contingency fund for the cause.
Prior to the vote, Coun. Terri McConnachie had suggested revenue allotted to Tourism Prince George through the hotel room tax would be a better source, but changed her mind when told TPG works with for-profit groups holding very large events.
“This is meant to capture some of the smaller organizations or organizations that aren’t necessarily small as non-profits but are pretty new in this event and trade show and convention business and are seeking some small financial support from the city to help get their legs under them,” Bone said.
The recently-held B.C. Natural Resources Forum would not qualify, Bone confirmed.
The city manager’s office will administer the program.
Recipients will get half of the approved funding prior to the event with the exact amount of the remaining fund to be determined afterwards, once the number of paid nights has been confirmed.
Dubbed MeetingsPG, it will provide as much as $7,500 per event, depending on the cumulative number of paid nights delegates spend in the city’s hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts.