I am reading the comments from those who have already responded to this, and so incredibly encouraged about our chances. Friends, may I ask you- Please to help me and other Athens events folks out by doing this survey. I have over 3000 friends here.. Please like and share, and help us get this to 1000 responses!! We need this push from you all, our community, to show our Commissioners that you have our back. Thank you so much- (link is in my bio!)
Just beautiful.. the sky and clouds, the wind currents gently swishing the trees in luscious waves, the variegated textures of grasses, moss, lichen, the small rivulets of last night's rain snaking across the granite..
With a little help from my friends.. 🎵
Hey y'all- Organizers of Special Events in Athens would greatly appreciate your support in our campaign for better funding from our local government.
👉Please take a moment to fill out the form linked in my bio, to let our elected officials know that you have our back when we are asking for this much needed increase in funding. THANK YOU!!!!!!
The Commission is working on the annual budget now, and they have the ability to tackle these changes. We will submit the results of this survey before the end of the month.
On behalf of the Special Events Collective, (which includes Athfest, Twilight Criterium, Hot Corner Fest, Wild Rumpus, Latinx Fest, MLK Day Parade, Athens Film Festival, Athens Comedy Fest, Pride Fest, Nucis Space, and others) I offer you our deep and most sincere thanks. And THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
Nota: El formulario también incluye un enlace a una versión en español.
Couldn't wait to get home and make an espresso in this cute little blue cup I got at indiesouth today that matched my light blues! Swipe for the shot 👀 Wild Rumpus coffee, I have developed with Jittery Joes to be as good pouring and tasting an espresso as can be found outside of Portland and Seattle (unattainable reign supreme.. nothing we can do about it). Anyway look at that crema!
Events in Athens are funded through a percentage of the city's Hotel / Motel tax revenues (not your taxes!). Here is the breakdown on the Mayor's recommended budget that was just sent to the Commission for tweaking and approval.
This year, events organizers are asking for $500,000 in funding for our events. We currently receive $250k. The Mayor recommends $300k.
In a year when there was a $500,000 INCREASE in Hotel/Motel revenues, it seems like events could be awarded the $500k. For context, other cities that are comparable to Athens prioritize their festival culture with elaborate strategic plans and FAR greater investment. (Scottsdale, AZ $2.6 million. Gainesville, FL $1.2 million. Denton, TX $2.9 million)
SHARING A 1BR APT WITH AN ELEPHANT
This year the Mayor recommends an increase of $428,550 for the Classic Center and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), bringing their subsidy to $5.9 MILLION. FYI, this is far greater than the state mandates for H/M allocation percentages. These percentages were established by our Commission when the revenues were far lower than what they are now, but the CC and CVB now wildly benefit from these outdated %'s, while we as events are having to scrap for a few meager points... Our ask of $500,000 is only 7% of the total fund!
BEGGING THE QUESTIONS
Why do the CC+CVB receive such a huge percentage (83%)? Don't football and UGA Athletics bring in a lot of hotel $ too? We ❤️ the Classic Center, but is it responsible for 83% of the hotel stays in Athens? Aren't events bringing in tourism, filling hotel beds, and doing a lot for Athens economy? Uh…you know it. Take a look at Athens’ tourism marketing, and you see events front and center on their promo- With good reason. 📌This allocation can be changed to better reflect the value that Athens events provide to our city.
WHAT WE CAN DO
This budget is now with the Commission, and they can change these allocations. Please help events by speaking up in support of our ask! - Write your commissioner, speak at the Mayor and Commission meeting (Tues. May 5th) and complete our Events Survey Form when we launch that this coming week. Thank you for reading!
First look at the Widespread Panic-signed guitar we will be auctioning for the Wild Rumpus this year... Just picked this up today fresh off the band signing over the last run of shows... Stunning! All seven signatures including both Nick and Jimmy 💛 Stay tuned for news of when we are going to drop the auction! #widespeadpanic #widespreadpanicfamily
Yesterday April 27th is the anniversary of Fuzzy Sprouts first gig. I think that was 1989, at a dorm at UMASS. We had a good run while we did. Crazy memories, amazing friends made along the way.
Wild Rumpus Coffee tasting event today! 10am to 2pm at Hyatt Place in downtown Athens.. Free coffees, and take home a brand spankin' can today! Come on by ☕️💥
