STARK COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS' BUREAU

$214,707 Awarded in Cultural Tourism Grants

Visit Canton and ArtsinStark awarded $214,707 in Cultural Tourism Grants to 19 Stark County organizations. Cultural Tourism Grants are awarded for the purpose of generating increased visitation and economic impact for the region through the support of arts and culture events and marketing initiatives.

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Available Grant Opportunities

Cultural Tourism Grants

Application Due by 5:00 PM on May 1, 2024


Visit Canton in partnership with ArtsinStark will award Cultural Tourism Grants up to $20,000 to each approved marketing or event initiative. Grants will be awarded for the purpose of generating increased visitation and economic impact for the region through the support of arts and culture events and marketing initiatives. The initiatives must take place between July 1 - December 31, 2024, and encompass visual arts, museums, performing arts, theaters, attractions, authentic historic and cultural places, and events to encounter traditions, history, music, and art. Read More...

 

Downtown Canton Partnership Event Grant Program

Application Due by 5:00 PM on April 19, 2024


The Downtown Canton Partnership is offering a grant program for events that take place in Downtown Canton, specifically within the boundaries of the Special Improvement District. Read More...


City of Canton Interior Renovation Program

Rolling Application While Funding is Available


The Interior Renovation Program (IRP) will assist businesses located within appropriately designated commercially zoned areas through the City of Canton. The IRP seeks to assist these qualifying businesses in qualifying zoning districts to encourage business reinvestment and renovation. The program helps fund the interior enhancement and renovation of business facilities by providing a 50% rebate, up to $24,999 on eligible expenses. Read More...


Legends & Lore® Marker Grant Program

Application Due by 5:00 PM on April 29, 2024


Does your community have a great piece of folklore that should be shared? Legends & Lore is designed to promote cultural tourism and commemorate legends and folklore as part of our heritage. The historic folklore market grants are non-competitive, which means they do not limit the total number of marker grants awarded during each grant round. Applicants cannot apply for more than five (5) markers per grant round. Read More...


Ohio Open Doors Event Stipends

Stipends are available for Ohio Open Doors events on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizations with an annual budget of $50,000 or less, or three or fewer paid staff, are considered eligible to request a marketing costs stipend. Read More...

Host an Event for Ohio Open Doors

Help Ohioans discover your community's amazing heritage during September 6 - 15, 2024. Become a host site for Ohio Open Doors - a 10-day event when Ohio historic building and landmarks open their doors for special tours and events!

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National Volunteer Month

April is National Volunteer Month! As a reminder, Visit Canton offers a volunteer management platform for industry partners to utilize for their volunteer needs. Contact Ashley Boggs to get started!


We also encourage you to share the STAR Frontline Training Sessions (below) with your volunteers, or schedule a private group training for your team!


No need for volunteers? No problem. Check out VolunteerStark.com to become a volunteer yourself!

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VolunteerStark

Frontline Training Sessions

Enhance your skills as a tourism ambassador of Stark County! Attend a Visit Canton Frontline Training session to amplify your knowledge of our destination, get tips on making recommendations for visitors, and ideas to implement at your own attraction.


This free training is valuable for business owners, managers, frontline staff, interns and volunteers alike. Our goal is to create a destination that is warm, welcoming, friendly, and helpful so our guests leave happy and with a desire to return!


Attend on April 23rd at 9:00 AM or April 24th at 3:00 PM

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Join the Frontline STAR Passport

Visit Canton hopes you will support our efforts to boost the knowledge and experience of the tourism ambassadors we train. Students who complete the training will receive access to the new Explore Stark Frontline STAR Passport to experience Stark County attractions with a visitor’s perspective in mind!


We encourage you to provide a free admission, or discount offer if you don't have an admission fee, to attendees of our STAR Frontline Training Sessions. It is important that our frontline staff to have firsthand knowledge of the attractions they’re recommending to visitors.

PASSPORT INFO

America's Playing Field | Destination Showcase

Deadline to Register: April 12

Friday & Saturday | May 3 & 4 | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM


As tourism season heats up, Visit Canton will host a travel showcase at the Belden Village Mall. Exhibitor Booths will be available for industry partners to highlight fun attractions, events, and things to do around Stark County all summer long!


The center court stage will be available for partners to showcase special programs and performances. Step into the spotlight on the stage to entertain and engage!


Fee to Participate: In County Partners $50 | Regional Partners $100


Why should you participate?



  • Showcase your attraction to local and regional audiences looking for summer fun.
  • Connect with Northeast Ohio event planners and media partners.
  • Promote seasonal job postings and career opportunities.
BOOTH APPLICATION

Visit Canton Is Hiring

Visit Canton is seeking friendly, outgoing team members who love to promote Stark County!

Guest Service Specialists:

Part-time Guest Service Specialists work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, at Visit Canton's Welcome Centers located in Downtown Canton and Hall of Fame Village.

MORE INFO

Are you hiring? Let us know and we will add them to our Tourism Jobs page!



Educational Opportunities

Don't miss your opportunity to gain valuable knowledge at these FREE and local SCORE Workshops!


Using AI for Small Business SEO

April 17th at 7:30 PM (Virtual)

Registration


Using Facebook for Marketing

April 18th at 9:00 AM (Virtual)

Registration

Partners in the News

The Chicago Bears will take on the Houston Texans in the 2024 Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 1st! Tickets go on sale on April 12th at 10:00 AM.


Stark Parks naturalists were featured on WKYC Good Company to speak on the Solar Eclipse!


Food Safety Honors have been awarded to Almost Heaven Ice Cream!


The Canton Monster Fest was featured in the news! They are returning to Canton for their second annual event!


Check out Dreamstream, the new installation in Umbrella Alley in Louisville!

Upcoming Tournaments, Conferences & Events

April 10 | Sip + Party in the Distillery

Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa


April 11 | Exhibit Opening: A Constellation of Objects

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum


April 12 | Second Fridays Louisville

Downtown Louisville


April 12 - 14 | Come Dance With Me by the Canton Ballet

Canton Palace Theatre


April 12 - 14 | Great Lakes Alliance Soccer Spring College Showcase

Hall of Fame Village


April 12 - 21 | "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" by The Players Guild

Kent State University at Stark Fine Arts Building


April 13 | Breakfast with Reggie Langhorne and Webster Slaughter

Pro Football Hall of Fame


April 13 | Hartville Sports Card Show

Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market


April 13 | Stark Vintage Market

St. George Serbian Center


April 13 | Masterworks: For The Family by the Canton Symphony Orchestra

Zimmerman Symphony Center


April 17 | Primavera: Spring Wine Dinner

Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa


April 19 | "We Are Masterpieces" Black Art Exhibit

Cultural Center for the Arts


April 19 - 20 | Home Master eXperience Weekend

Various Locations & Events


April 19 - 21 | Great Lakes Alliance Spring Challenge

Hall of Fame Village


April 20 | Run Wild 5K & 10K The Wilderness Center


April 20 | "Hartville Toy & Comic Show

Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market


April 21 | Training Camp 10K - Pro Football Hall of Fame Race Series

Downtown Canton


April 21 | Open House at The Reserve at Stone Creek Open House

The Reserve at Stone Creek


April 21 | Earth Day Celebration

Beech Creek Gardens


April 23 & 25 | Spring Ladies Night Out

The Shops at Hartville Kitchen


April 25 | Rhythms Concert Series: Rev. Robert Jones Sr.

Massillon Museum


April 25 - 28 | Ohio Coin Machine Association Pool Tournament

Canton Memorial Civic Center


April 25 - 27 | Draft Days

Hall of Fame Village


April 26 - 28 | Lights, Camera, Acapella! by Vocal Fusion

Cultural Center Theater


April 27 | OHSFCA North South Classic All Star Game

Paul Brown Tiger Stadium


April 27 | The Great Outdoorsman Show

Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market


April 27 | National First Ladies Day - VIP Champagne Reception

National First Ladies Library & Museum


April 27 | Masterworks: Rhapsodies from Bohemia with the Canton Symphony Orchestra

Zimmerman Symphony Center

April eNews

Check out Visit Canton's April eNews for more information on spring fun and upcoming special events.

READ IT HERE
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