Meetings Mean Business Grant Program

The Meetings Mean Business Grant Program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to support destinations in attracting regional and national meetings and conventions. This program recognizes meetings and conventions as a high-impact tourism segment capable of generating substantial economic benefits through hotel room nights, visitor spending, and increased exposure for host communities. The initiative is designed to strengthen Wisconsin’s competitiveness as a destination by offsetting key costs associated with securing large-scale events. The primary purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to eligible destinations as they bid for meetings and conventions that bring new visitors into the state. The grant specifically targets events that can demonstrate measurable economic impact, including increased lodging demand and visitor expenditures. It is not intended to fund recurring in-state events or those that rotate regularly within Wisconsin, as the focus is on attracting new business rather than sustaining existing events. Funding is structured as a matching grant, with the program covering up to 50 percent of eligible costs. These costs include convention facility rental, in-community transportation, and certain host destination expenses directly tied to the event. The total funding pool is $110,000 per fiscal year, and individual applicants may receive up to $30,000 annually, potentially across multiple events. Recipients are required to match the awarded funds, ensuring shared financial commitment and investment in the success of the event. Eligibility is limited to Destination Marketing Organizations and Native American tribes. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to host qualifying events and provide documentation supporting the projected economic impact. The program excludes organizations or events already receiving funding through statutory earmarks and prohibits applicants from seeking simultaneous funding for the same event through the Joint Effort Marketing grant program within the same fiscal year. The application process requires submission through an online grant portal and must be completed at least 90 days prior to the scheduled event. Applicants are encouraged to consult with Tourism Development Specialists or the Grant Manager for guidance before submission. Required application materials include a detailed event budget, historical performance data for the event, and documentation of projected costs such as vendor estimates or contracts. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as projected hotel room nights, return on investment, visitor spending, and scheduling during off-peak periods. The review process occurs three times per year, with application deadlines on February 1, April 1, and September 1. Following approval, 70 percent of the awarded funds are disbursed after contract execution and confirmation that the event has been secured. The remaining 30 percent is contingent upon submission of a post-event evaluation within 90 days after the event concludes. This evaluation must include performance metrics such as attendance, room nights, and an analysis of the event’s success. Failure to host the event results in a requirement to return any distributed funds. Program oversight and support are provided by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, with direct assistance available from the Grant and Database Manager. Applicants can access the grant portal online and receive technical or strategic support throughout the application process. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, offering consistent opportunities for eligible destinations to secure funding for future events.

Emphasize projected hotel room nights, ROI, and visitor spending; provide strong historical event data; highlight off-peak scheduling advantages; ensure accurate cost documentation