Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council: Corporate Events Sponsorship Programme

Overview

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Corporate Event Sponsorship is targeted at flagship events taking place in the Borough. Sponsorship is awarded on merit and performance with a maximum grant of up to £15,000 (currently under review).

Sponsorship is subject to applicants demonstrating evidence of need and subject the Council’s available budget. Event must be delivered by no later than the end of the financial year post event (by 31st March post event).

Applicants should note that at the time of writing these guidance notes Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s approach to events funding is under review.

The Council’s Corporate Events Sponsorship Programme is available to applicants for events held within the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey. The Council’s key objectives for supporting corporate events are to:

• Have a direct and indirect positive economic impact on the Borough;
• Increase visitor spend;
• Increase bed nights within the Borough;
• Increase visitor numbers;
• Enhance the visitor experience;
• Raise the profile of the Borough regionally, nationally and internationally; and
• Develop and promote opportunities within the Borough for other attractions/tourism providers.

Criteria

The assessment panel will be scoring applications on the basis of information that has been submitted with the application. It is therefore critical that applicants submit all of the required information and evidence. Evidence of how the applicant meets all of the criteria listed below must be submitted with the application and also in the event evaluation report.

• Applicants must provide financial evidence of need with deficit funding clearly evident for Council’s sponsorship to be awarded
• Applicants must indicate how the event furthers the Council objective that we have an attractive tourism offer and maximise benefits to our Borough.
• Applications must demonstrate the economic benefit to the Borough from the event, including evidence of how bed nights in the Borough will be generated, and how visitor numbers and visitor spend will be increased. The relevant table in the application form must be completed identifying where 2 in the Borough participants/spectators are forecast to be accommodated during the event. Council strongly recommend that applicants engage accommodation providers at an early stage to establish a partner package or rate associated with the event. Council Officers can facilitate this introduction as it will help substantiate your bed night achievements as part of our required post-event evaluation.
• Events must enhance the visitor experience; and
• Events must raise the profile of the Borough. Council’s specific marketing requirements will be detailed in the Letter of Offer should sponsorship be awarded.

Please note that the Council may contact the event organiser for further clarification on the application if required.

Who can apply

Applications will be accepted from private and constituted community/voluntary organisations which are not eligible for the Council’s Community Development & Festivals funding or Leisure Grant Programme . If further clarification required, please contact the Council.

Specific Conditions

Applicants will be asked to include an estimated budget of the cost of the event, showing a breakdown of all income including sponsorship, grants, trade and stall income and ticket sales, if applicable. Expenditure should detail all costs including marketing, event programming, venue hire and hospitality. The deficit funding should also be highlighted at the end of the budget.

Applicants must complete the attached economic calculator providing details on breakdown of visitors, visitor accommodation details, breakdown of participants, revenue leaving NI with non-local traders and Event Organiser Spend.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all insurances, statutory licenses and permits are in place prior to the event including Entertainments and Street Trading if applicable. Successful events sponsorship applicants will be required to submit the following documents 4 weeks prior to the event:

• Risk assessment
• Event management plan
• Proof of relevant insurance

In order to maximise the possible benefits from any Corporate Event supported by the Council, fulfilment of additional specific conditions may be required by the event organiser; these conditions will be detailed at Letter of Offer stage.

Eligible Costs

• Marketing and PR Costs
• Health and Safety Costs
• Event Production/Programming Costs
• Venue and Hire Costs
• Accommodation Costs
• Travel Costs
• Prize Awards and Trophies
• Security Costs
• Event Evaluation
• Market Research
• Performance fees