CVB OKs event funding for ’09-10 IJSBA, Poker Run, Desert Storm given $20,000 each

By David Bell
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:36 PM MST

Fireworks, personal watercraft and giant powerboats received a hearty show of support from local tourism officials.The Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to allocate $128,000 to 20 different events planned to take place in the community over the next year.

The largest amount — $20,000 — was approved for each of the three events: the IJSBA World Finals in October, The Western Pyrotechnics Association’s Winterblast convention in February and Lake Racer’s Desert Storm Poker Run in April.

The IJSBA and WPA events both received the total amount requested. Lake Racer had requested $30,000 in event funding from the CVB.

“This is the result of the process. Some tough questions were asked,” said CVB board chairman Dennis Schilling. “What we’re seeing is that we’re honing in on the events that will bring in the most visitors.”

Chip Shilosky, who chaired the committee that reviewed the applications, said committee members evaluated the requests based on three criteria: Does the event promote tourism to Lake Havasu City, is there sustainability, and what is the profit and loss.

Based on those criteria, some events were shut out for funding, including the Leaping Lizards’ lighting of Cupcake Mountain, the Chamber of Commerce’s Winterfest and the Main Street Association’s Mardi Gras Parade.

It also resulted in almost every funded event receiving less than requested. Besides the IJSBA and WPA, only the Western Outdoor News received their full request of $2,500 for the annual Striper Derby in May.A number of new events received funding this year, including $1,000 for the National Bass West Havasu Classic in September; $3,000 for the Havasu Freedom Rally motorcycle event in November; $6,000 for Events All Around’s 2nd Annual Rockabilly Reunion at Windsor Beach in February; and $2,000 for Paramax’s XDL Sportbike Championship at Havasu Speedway in April.

Both the XDL Sportbike Championship and Rockabilly concert took place last year but were not funded by the CVB.Another new event receiving funding is the HavaBBQ event locally sponsored by the Lions Club.

Lesley Reed, Events & Promotions Manager for the CVB, explained the event is actually one of many throughout the country.“It’s based out of the Kansas City Barbeque Society and there are 25 events throughout the region and the nation,” Reed said. “We’ll be the 26th event, opening the event for the circuit in 2010.”Reed said participants and tasters would come primarily from the West Coast and the Midwest.

The event will be held at Windsor Beach 4 at Lake Havasu State Park in February and the CVB approved $7,500 in funding.The board also approved holding $24,000 in a contingency fund, to be used if a promoter brings forward a new event during the fiscal year.

However, the funding for those new events, on an emergency basis, is limited to 10 percent of the contingency fund balance.Two members of the board recused themselves from voting on three funding requests because their businesses were involved with the events. Cal Sheehy declared a conflict because of the London Bridge Resort’s involvement with December’s Festival of Lights ($7,500) and Winterfest. Tom Felke declared a conflict because of the Shugrue’s Restaurants involvement with April’s Havasu Half Marathon ($2,500).