The vendor required to provide 2026 agricultural fairgrounds advertising promotion and education activities that will increase participation in and promotion of county and local fairs in state.
- Eligible projects
• Eligible projects will increase activities that improve public knowledge of, and appreciation for, the benefits of agriculture and domestic arts through advertising, promotion, and education.
• Projects will enhance and encourage visitor participation and appreciation of agriculture and domestic arts as well as expand existing efforts to attract visitors and showcase agriculture.
• Projects will expose consumers to the fair brand and create meaningful, long-lasting brand recognition.
- Eligible activities
1. Traditional marketing and advertising
• Print advertisement including graphic design and ad placement costs.
• Billboard advertisement including graphic design and ad placement costs.
• Radio advertisements that promote agriculture and domestic arts and create meaningful, long-lasting brand recognition.
• Local tv advertising that promotes agriculture and domestic arts and create meaningful, long-lasting brand recognition.
• Costs associated with adding the fair brand to other customer-facing marketing opportunities, e.g., bus and bench placement.
• Product displays that contain the fair brand strategically placed inside local stores, e.g. Free-standing displays, end-caps, hang-tags, shelf slides, cooler clings or floor graphics.
2. Digital marketing
• Marketing efforts that use an electronic device and the internet to display the fair brand, e.g. Digital advertising, email marketing, online brochures, social media marketing, etc.
3. Educational projects
• Educational projects geared towards the general public to increase understanding of state agricultural economy and promote public engagement.
- Eligible costs
• Logo development or redesign;
• Salaries and wages;
• Contractor services;
• Social media design consultant;
• App design;
• Local artwork and design for promotions;
• Consumer marketing campaigns;
• Fair signage for main entrance and agriculture exhibits;
• Online ticketing development;
• Materials and supplies for educational exhibits; and
• Other website improvements.
- Ineligible costs
• Any cost unrelated to the eligible project;
• Promotional items (swag), clothing, gifts, prizes, memorabilia, souvenirs;
• Computer hardware or software;
• Vehicles;
• Cell phones;
• Website maintenance fees;
• Shipping;
• Indirect and overhead costs;
• Fringe benefits; and
• Any cost incurred prior to January 15, 2026.
- Budget: $625,000
