I have noticed that some local companies become “corporate sponsors” of Carmel events. Why do this and how does it benefit the taxpayers?
Creating and sustaining a strong sense of community has been a primary goal for the City of Carmel for more than two decades. We do this through our parks, trails and public spaces for sure, but we also build community through a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, from the Ice at Carter Green skating season in January; the Farmers Market, CarmelFest, live music events and Artomobilia in the summer; PorchFest, International Arts Festival and Oktoberfest in the fall; and the Christkindlmarkt during the holiday season.
Corporate sponsorship can be described as a great partnership that helps the City save taxpayer dollars while also helping local businesses become a bigger part of their community.
Some of these festivals and events – like the Carmel Marathon – are staged by outside planners who simply use our City streets and venues for their event. But others are overseen by non-profits with assistance from the City … and still others are run directly by the City’s Community Relations and Economic Development Department.
None of them are free to put on. From advertising and promotions to signage and various operational matters, each event has expenses. Some of the events can recapture those costs through ticket sales, if that applies, but most of the events in Carmel are free for residents and visitors. That means it is often a challenge to find the funds necessary to put on a great event.
We are fortunate to be part of a community where many local businesses want to be part of the excitement and are willing to help with some of those costs by becoming a sponsor for an event or a series of events. We feel that in addition to providing much-needed financial support for the City and for event planning, it is also a valuable tool for them to be more visible in the community, which in many cases can help them succeed in a variety of ways.
Corporate sponsorship can be described as a great partnership that helps the City save taxpayer dollars while also helping local businesses become a bigger part of their community.
Authored by Laura Campbell, Sue Finkam, Kevin Rider, Jeff Worrell, Sue Finkam, Bruce Kimball, Miles Nelson, Anthony Green and Adam Aasen.