Overview
The Gilmer Chamber has created a Tourism Event Sponsorship Program for the purpose of awarding monetary and non-monetary incentives to entities who produce tourism focused events and programs. This program is administered by the Gilmer Chamber, its designated advisory group, and the Tourism Event Sponsorship Committee. The Committee includes Chamber staff, representatives from Ellijay, East Ellijay, and County Commissioners.
Established under O.C.G.A ยง 48-13-51(b), the Gilmer Chamber oversees the funds collected from transient lodging taxes (TLT) assessed to hotels, motels, and other lodging establishments in the City of Ellijay, the City of East Ellijay, and Gilmer County. A portion of these funds is awarded via the Tourism Event Sponsorship Program (TESP), is intended to support marketing expenses for local organizations that produce events and programs designed to attract overnight visitors to Gilmer County.
By following these guidelines, applicants can ensure that their application for the Tourism Event Sponsorship is complete and meets all necessary requirements. For additional questions, please contact Gilmer Chamber Communications Manager Nohemi Reynoso at nohemir@gilmerchamber.com or 706-635-7400.
2025 Grant Cycle I Timeline
| Process | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Available | January 31, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | February 28, 2025 |
| Complete Post-Event Report | 60 Days After Event Completion |
| Funds Sent To Applicant | Following Approval of Post-Event Report |
2025 Peak Visitor Periods
Funding will not be considered for events that occur during the following Peak Visitor Periods:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 24 – 26, 2025 | Memorial Day Weekend |
| July 4 – 6, 2025 | Independence Day Weekend |
| August 29 – September 1, 2025 | Labor Day Weekend |
| November 27 – 30, 2025 | Thanksgiving Weekend |
| December 22 – 28, 2025 | Christmas Week |
Forms & Resources
We appreciate your interest in applying for funding through the Tourism Event Sponsorship Program. To assist you in the application process, we have provided several helpful forms and resources for your reference. Please take the time to review them carefully before beginning your application. View and download them below:
Forms & Resources for Applicants
Sample Forms for Applicants
Forms for Reimbursement
Logos
To comply with Sponsorship Guidelines, the Pick Ellijay logo and PickEllijay.com URL must be included in all Chamber-funded promotional materials (printed and online). View and download the available Pick Ellijay logos by following the link below.
Application
Ready to apply? The 2025 Sponsorship Application is available until February 28, 2025. Before starting your application, we recommend thoroughly reviewing our Forms & Resources. Click the link below to begin.
Post-Event Reporting
As outlined in the Tourism Event Sponsorship Guidelines, a post-event report must be submitted within 60 days of event completion. Please note that funds will be reimbursed for eligible expenses only after the post-event report has been reviewed and approved.
Please Note: Sponsorship funds will be distributed in priority order of approval of sponsorship applications. Funds will be disbursed as revenue from hotel/motel tax is received by the County. Therefore, there might be a brief delay between when applicants are notified of their sponsorship awards and when funds are distributed. The Gilmer Chamber is dedicated to supporting local events through our sponsorship programs but reserve the right to reject applications if they do not adhere to the application guidelines, fail to meet eligibility requirements, or if the requested costs are deemed excessive for the completion of the project.