Frequently Asked Questions
Destination Stewardship is a collaborative process that aims to preserve a geographic area’s natural, cultural, social, and economic resources for future generations. It’s a long-term strategy that involves multiple stakeholders, including local communities, governments, NGOs, and the tourism industry. The goal is to maintain the integrity of a region, town, or country while balancing the needs of residents and visitors.
Destination Marketing is the act of raising awareness, attracting visitors, and building long-term relationships through branding, communications, and promotion. It also includes education and awareness-building amongst residents and visitors, developing outreach materials across multiple channels, earned and paid media, destination branding, and FAM tours.
Destination Development is the act of improving the experience within a destination for visitors and residents. It often is focused on improving experiences, tourism product development, and tourism product refinement. For example, encouraging new businesses to fill experience gaps, supporting entrepreneurship and existing businesses in refinement of already established products, and identifying gaps in the visitor’s experience or needs.
Destination Management refers to the coordination, collaboration, and/or management of visitor flow, visitor education, transportation, attractions, amenities, accessibility, marketing, fulfillment, local resources, and mitigating the impacts of tourism.
By Wyoming Statutes, the JHTTB’s allocation of lodging tax funds can only be used “to promote travel and tourism within the county, city or town imposing the tax. Expenditures for travel and tourism promotion shall be limited to promotional materials, television and radio advertising, printed advertising, promotion of tours, staging of events, educational materials, and other specific tourism-related objectives, including those identified as likely to facilitate tourism or enhance the visitor experience, provided that none of these funds shall be spent for capital construction or improvements.”
Examples of reimbursable event expenses are included here.
Marketing expenses
- Local media buys dedicated to marketing the event
- Paid social media
- Paid search campaigns
- Any expenses used to directly market the event
- The JHTTB cannot reimburse marketing expenses that promote the organization rather than the event
Promotional expenses
- Event banners
- Event mailers and brochures
- Medals for sporting events
- Other paraphernalia given away at the event that promotes Jackson Hole
- The JHTTB cannot reimburse promotional expenses that are sold at the event
Staging of events expenses
- Venue rental
- Event talent or entertainment
- Event rentals
- Audio-visual expenses
- Food
- Lodging and airfare for staff and / or talent
- Any expenses necessary to put on the event
The JHTTB cannot reimburse alcohol, regular staff salaries, capital expenses, and any expenses that are used for the organization rather than the event
The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board Special Events Committee does not currently fund events taking place in the summer.
The JHTTB full board MAY fund non-event programs that take place regardless of time of year if they help meet the mission and vision of the JHTTB. For more information on JHTTB funding outside of events:
Event Funding Application Categories
- Signature Event Applications: Applying for funds in excess of $74,999
Applications for Signature events will be accepted between Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025. Applications for Signature events scheduled within the entire event funding eligibility date range (Sep. 20, 2025 – Jun. 07, 2026) will be accepted at this time. - Regular Event Applications: Applying for funds up to $74,999
Events requesting up to 74,999 have TWO application periods based on when the event is scheduled to occur (Fall or Winter/Spring). Please refer to Table 1 below to determine the appropriate application period for your event.
| SIGNATURE EVENT APPLICATIONS: Events requesting funds in excess of $74,999 | |
|---|---|
| Event Date Range | Application Period |
| Sept. 20, 2025 – June 7, 2026 | Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 |
| REGULAR EVENT APPLICATIONS: Events requesting funds up to $74,999 | |
| Event Date Range | Application Period |
| Sept. 20 – Dec. 31, 2025 | Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 |
| Jan. 1- June 7, 2026 | May 1 – June 30, 2025 |
Individual events can receive JHTTB funding between $1,000 and $75,000+ depending on the event type and the expected event attendance and community impact. “Community Events” are eligible for funding between $1,000 and $5,000, “Large Events” are eligible for funding between $5,000 and $75,000, and “Signature Events” are eligible for over $75,000 in funding. For more information on each event category, see “Event Categories” below on this page.
To apply for funding, events must complete an application within the correct funding window. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Start your journey at VisitJacksonHole.com, a resource for inspiration, planning, booking, and learning brought to you by the Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board.
JHTTB has a robust content strategy plan that does not include influencer marketing at this time. Should opportunities for influencer trips or content creation come up, it will be posted here.
In the meantime, enjoy your trip to Jackson Hole and please Tag Responsibly by excluding any geotagging and location tagging “Tag Responsibly, Keep Jackson Hole Wild” instead. Use #staywildjh to be featured!
For all media inquiries, questions about usage and request for additional promotional material, please contact us at john@visitjacksonhole.com.
All these terms speak to a global movement to take into account the long-term social, economic, and environmental impacts of travel by focusing on minimizing the negative impacts on local communities and the environment, while also generating economic benefits and promoting cultural exchange. Ultimately the goal is to create a positive impact on the destinations visited, while ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy these special places.
With the heightened societal reckoning occurring around the global climate crisis, systemic social inequalities, and overuse of our public lands, there is now a new call to action focused on doing more than just finding a good “balance.” The new emphasis is on the importance of achieving a net positive return on investment from tourism. This emergent concept, called regenerative tourism, extends the concept of sustainable tourism and defines success as enhancing or improving, not merely maintaining, the integrity of the destination.
One could argue that destination stewardship began with the indigenous peoples who enjoyed the bounty of this vibrant ecosystem, and certainly the formation of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park and the many proactive management decisions made in the last 150 years are examples of intentional sustainability efforts.
More recently, Teton County was an early adopter of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destinations, participating in an objective third-party destination assessment in 2012. In 2020, Teton County was third-party certified by EarthCheck, a Global Sustainable Tourism Council-Accredited body, showing that significant efforts had been made to adhere to internationally recognized best practices for sustainable destination management. However, EarthCheck certification was not renewed in 2021 since there were several pending action items to address—primarily the lack of a destination management plan ( resolved in 2022 with the adoption of the Teton County Sustainable Destination Management Plan), and a destination management organization which is being currently being addressed by our Destination Stewardship Council.
The Road to Zero Waste is the name of the initiative undertaken by Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR) to provide and coordinate strategies to reduce waste supported by a resolution, approved in 2014 by Teton County Commissioners and the Town of Jackson, that calls for 60% diversion by the year 2030.
Business Emerald Sustainability Tier (BEST) Certification is awarded to businesses that are committed to environmental, social, and economic sustainability performance comparable to the highest global standards.
The Sustainable Business Leaders Program is Jackson Hole’s green business recognition program and membership-based association that has been managed by Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR) and the The Riverwind Foundation since 2007.
For more information, visit Jackson Hole Situation Analysis Report, 2022 section 8.0, p.107
Often driven by the pressures from over-tourism, destination marketing organizations in the U.S. are increasingly evolving their missions to focus on destination stewardship and tourism management. This marks a shift away from a singular focus on promotion to coordinating the management of tourism growth, visitor flows, and environment and community impacts. SDMPs – also called Destination Stewardship Plans – are a relatively new tool and are designed to take a holistic approach to the overall assessment and strategic planning of a road map that supports the long-term health of destinations and the well-being of host communities. SDMPs involve a highly participatory development process that includes key stakeholder groups and members of the community, public, and tourism business sectors. SDMPs provide a strategic road map that identifies, amplifies, and aligns shared community values in ecosystem stewardship, economic vibrancy, growth management, and quality of life enhancement for residents.
To date, tourism has been measured primarily by economic performance indicators including business revenue generated, the volume of tax revenues collected, and the number of jobs created. One of the top actions recommended by the Sustainable Destination Management Plan is holistic monitoring and evaluation of new success indicators such as economic equity, community integration, resident quality of life, and environmental health and stewardship.
Tourism is the lifeblood of Teton County. It drives the local economy and supports hundreds of accommodation providers, restaurants, tour operators, and other businesses. In 2021, travelers spent $1.5 billion, which generated $96.5 million in state and local tax receipts. Travel-generated tax revenues help support our local communities through public services and local infrastructure projects. If not for the taxes generated by the travel and tourism industry, the average household in Teton County would have paid $10,034 more in taxes for existing public services. The 7,740 jobs supported by travel represent 22.2% of Teton County’s total employment. Without those jobs, the 2021 Teton County unemployment rate of 3.2% would have been 25.4%.
In the state of Wyoming, a 5% lodging tax is collected on every visitor’s hotel, motel, or rental property stay; 3% is managed by the Wyoming Office of Tourism, and 2% stays in Teton County. 60% of these funds are managed by the JHTTB for destination marketing, tourist education, events, and other tourism-related initiatives as outlined in the Wyoming Statutes. The 40% balance is managed by the town of Jackson and Teton County, primarily to mitigate the impacts of tourism and enhances community infrastructure and programs, including but not limited to emergency services, transportation infrastructure such as the START bus system, the Historical Society and Museum, and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Without the taxes (including sales tax) generated from visitors, the average household in Teton County would have had to pay $7,103 more in taxes for existing public services in 2019. The 2021 report on the economic impact of travel in Wyoming indicates that the average tax relief per household increased to $10,034 in 2021.(Source, SDMP SAR p.89).
Volunteers are the cornerstone of Teton County Boards and are vital to raising awareness of issues important to the community. Openings on the many different Boards where members of the public can contribute their time and resources are posted on the Teton County, Wyoming website when they become available. Generally, applications for open JHTTB terms are posted in February/March for terms starting in July of each year. Applicants are vetted and chosen by a committee of elected officials from the Town of Jackson and Teton County. Contact the Teton County Clerk via email or phone for questions.
307.732.8488.
Destination Stewardship Council meetings are open to the public and the public is welcome to listen into meetings. There is no virtual option to attend available at this time. You can submit comments or get in touch with the Destination Management Coordinator at destination@tetoncountywy.gov.
Public comment is available at the start of all board meetings and before action item votes. Public comments can be made in person, over the phone, or via Zoom. When making public comments, please announce yourself and the organization you represent. Please limit your comments to statements of opinion/fact and limit your comment to two minutes.
You may also submit public comment to the Board in writing by emailing our Executive Director at crista@visitjacksonhole.com. Written comments related to a specific agenda item must be submitted 8 hours prior to the board meeting.
The JHTTB is an opportunistic Board that considers funding requests year-round if they align with the Board’s mission and vision, and if they fall within the guidelines of the state statute. Requests that are considered marketing and/or visitor management, or that exceed $75,000, require a presentation to the full Board during a regularly-scheduled monthly meeting and must be approved by unanimous vote. Requests need to be received at least three months in advance to be considered. For more information, contact crista@visitjacksonhole.com
Wyoming State Statute: lodging tax funds can only be used “To promote travel and tourism within the county, city, or town imposing the tax. Expenditures for travel and tourism promotion shall be limited to promotional materials, television and radio advertising, printed advertising, promotion of tours, staging of events, educational materials, and other specific tourism-related objectives, including those identified as likely to facilitate tourism or enhance the visitor experience provided that none of these funds shall be spent for capital construction or improvements.”
The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board (JHTTB) allocates funding to events which meet the following qualifications:
The event takes place within Teton County, WY.
The event takes place between September 20, 2025 and June 7, 2026.
The event meets the minimum baseline standards for each core value of the SDMP as listed on the event application.
The event is accessible to the public (this may include free access or ticketed access that is available to all). The JHTTB does not fund private or exclusive events.
The event is inclusive to all attendees and does not explicitly or implicitly discriminate.
Multi-day events may be considered for funding as long as all dates are within the same JHTTB fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). For multi-day events that straddle the beginning and/or end date of the eligible event date range (Sep. 20 or Jun. 7), only expenses related to or supporting the event activities occurring within the event funding window are reimbursable by JHTTB funds. (For example: If an event spans the dates of Sept. 19-22, 2025, staging costs related to event activities [e.g. performances, meals, races, etc.] occurring on Sep. 19 cannot be reimbursed by the JHTTB as the event activities fall before/outside of the funding window. See Table 1.).
The JHTTB event funding budget is not intended to support a series of events that spans multiple weeks. For example, a weekly event occurring every Thursday over several weeks could be considered ”routine programming” by the hosting organization, not an event as defined by the JHTTB Event Committee. Funding for routine programming that aligns with the mission, vision, and core values of the JHTTB and its SDMP may be better suited for a Community Partnership application. For more information on qualifications for Community Partnership funding, please contact Crista Valentino, Executive Director at crista@visitjacksonhole.com.
The main purpose of the event is to contribute to the unique character of the community and/or drive visitation to Teton County, WY. While JHTTB-funded events can result in net profit for the applicant organization, their main purpose should not be to raise operating revenue for a business or organization.
The event organizers agree to use JHTTB funding only to cover event promotions, marketing, and staging of events. Event organizers agree they will not request funding to be used for capital projects or alcohol expenses. (See below for more information on reimbursable expenses).
The event organizers will submit an online application, including an event overview, budget, and marketing plan, that will be reviewed by the Events Committee and made publicly accessible by request to the JHTTB. The application deadline for each event period is firm. No applications will be accepted after the application deadline.
The event organizers agree to complete an online recap report after the event, including an event overview, an actualized P&L, and results of the event marketing efforts. This recap will be reviewed by the committee and made publicly accessible by request to the JHTTB.
The event organizers understand that awarded funds will be made as a reimbursement to expenses paid by the recipient. This reimbursement process can take 1-3 months after the event takes place and receipts are submitted. The event organizers agree to the funding conditions and reimbursement process as outlined in the Event Agreement (an example agreement can be viewed here).
The JHTTB allocates public funding to local (Teton County, WY) events taking place in fall, winter, and spring. Thanks to the money collected from the lodging tax, many community events have been partially funded by the JHTTB. To learn if your event is eligible and to apply:
The JHTTB is a seven-member volunteer board appointed by elected officials from the Town of Jackson and Teton County that manages visitor-generated lodging tax dollars to ensure tourism is a force for good in Teton County, WY. Our mission is to develop a healthy economy that preserves Jackson Hole’s natural capital, provides a quality visitor experience, and enhances the well-being of the community through destination marketing, tourist education, events, and other tourism-related initiatives as outlined in the Wyoming Statutes.