LAST EDITED ON Feb-12-17 AT 09:14AM (MST)[p]Nick
Great Questions and thanks for asking for Tri.
This will be the 3rd year of The Big Outdoors show in Utah COunty.
The first year 10,200 people attended.
The 2nd Year 12,600 people attended.
This 3rd year I anticipate 15,000 + attending.
Year 1 the show received $100,000 for PROMOTION and ADVERTISING to get people from all around the states as well as out of the state to exhibit and attend the Expo., Had people from New Zealand and Africa exhibit as well.
Attendess from EVERY county in Utah Attended as did almost 10% of the attendees come from out of state.
The Utah Tourism estimated nearly $1,000,000 in economic influx for this first ever show.
The 2nd year the show received $150,000 for PROMOTION and ADVERTISING.
The Utah State Tourism estimated nearly 1.2 million in economic influx for the show.
This 3rd year the show received $150,000 FOR PROMOTION AND ADVERTISING OF THE SHOW.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT IN EXCESS OF 15,000 WILL ATTEND and that the economic impact will be in excess of 1.4 million.
An estimate of where the money is spent is required to be given to the Governors office prior to any money is awarded. Then when the "business plan" for the money is presented 75% of the actually money is awarded to the expo. So year 1 the show received $75,000 of the $100,000 before the show. The remaining 25% was not awarded until after the show was done and the 25% was spent. So it was reimbursed.
Once the show is complete I then give a final expenditure of not just the money from the state but also ALL the money that was spent on the expo. The rest of the money spent above the state money is VOLUNTARILY included in my report. Once that has been turned into the Governors office and the tourism department than the show is awarded the remaining 25%. Keep in mind this is after the show is complete and ALL the ads and promotion things were paid for upfront. In other words I must account for not just the 75% that was already awarded, I must account for the remaining 25% that was never received. So I spend it and pay for it before I get it.
In other words I pay for all of it and then it is reimbursed after it is shown It was spent on pre approved ads and promotions etc.
This is called Transparency.
Now the money granted has come from EXCESS tax revenue the state has seen the last 3 years. In other words it is not coming out of someone elses budget, it is from growth so the state is reinvesting it into more growth to promote Utahs MANY outdoor activities.
Utahs tax revenue has been growing at over the 4% projected amount so they took this money the expo was awarded out of the net growth above the 4% and reinvested it in to more growth. SO NO programs were cut in the state. This was EXCESS reinvested.
Pretty smart business plan for Utah.
Places Like the ski industry gets millions of dollars in money every year to promote skiing and drive tourism. Different parades and festivals get lots of money as well. Even small town events get these tourism dollars to grow economically. Sundance Film festival also receives tax dollars.
This is what great and well run states do. They invest in their local and state economy's and then the economy continues to grow.
I do not save Mule deer in the fashion other shows claim. I dont transplant Turkeys or rehab winter range like the others claim. That is their sales pitch and cause. I just make people aware of the many outdoor opportunities Utah offers and get people excited and outdoors.
The Big Outdoors expo simply brings people together to see all that Utah has to offer and gets them to spend their money in Utah on its many outdoor activities.
ECONOMIC growth is the intention and according to the STATE TOURISM that is EXACTLY what is happening.
I dont take money out of this event. It all has gone back into building the expo and driving people to Utah COunty and in return is getting them to spend money on outdoor activities. It is getting kids off the computers and away from the X boxes. It is getting kids excited about the diversity of Utahs outdoors.
1 day I hope to be able to make money on this show. But I assume that will be after the State tourism grant is no longer awarded and used and the show continues to grow.
Utah has great Hunting and Fishing, but it also has many many other things to do outside.
That is the main purpose of the show. To show people ALL Utah has to offer and get them outside to enjoy it.
Nick thanks for coming to the source to get these questions answered for Tri.
As always my personal cell number is below and I will take anyones call that cares enough to have questions or comments or concerns or complaints.
FYI, several NON profits groups come to the expo and promote what they are doing. Chairbound sportsmen, NWTF, NRA, Sheds for Santa, Vetrans for Foreign wars and many many more. ANd in all cases I charge them little to nothing for their space. Also many tourism departments from around the state attend.
I appreciate this Post Tri, as it gives more FREE publicity for a great event and a great cause.
Anything else I can answer for you.
Tony Abbott
www.thebigoutdoors.com
801-885-1274