Marquee Tourism Events – Tiers 1 and 2

Funding under each tier could not be greater than 20% of a tourism event's previous year cash operating budget.

Tier 1 was designed to support significant marquee tourism events with an established international presence taking place in Canada during the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011. Tier 1 applicants could receive funding up to $3 million per fiscal year.

Tier 1 events had to demonstrate the following criteria:

• minimum overall attendance: 250,000;
• minimum percentage of attendees that are tourists: 10%;
• minimum cash operating budget: $2 million;
• minimum number of years event/organization has been in existence: 3 years;
• programming that lasts for at least 3 consecutive days; and
• an existing international marketing strategy that incorporates overnight tour packages.

Tier 2 was designed to support significant marquee tourism events taking place in Canada during the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011 that do not meet Tier 1 criteria but still had an international presence or were to propose developing one. Tier 2 applicants could receive funding up to $1 million per fiscal year.

Tier 2 events had to demonstrate the following criteria:

• minimum overall attendance: 50,000;
• minimum percentage of attendees that are tourists: 10%;
• minimum cash operating budget: $500,000;
• minimum number of years event/organization has been in existence: 3 years;
• programming that lasts for at least 3 consecutive days; and
• an existing domestic marketing strategy and an existing or proposed international marketing strategy that would incorporate overnight tour packages.