Tourism Commission Meeting 9-29-2026 - 6 PM

The City of Franklin Tourism Commission met on September 29, 2026. It approved the 2027 department-request budget by vote, based on a forecast of approximately $481,000 in income. The budget discussion covered Engage Franklin contractor costs, tourism grants, marketing services, advertising, travel and conferences, and $5,000 for streetscape signage and billboards. Commissioners also approved revised tourism grant guidelines: event-marketing awards may be up to $7,500, calculated at $10 per projected room night. Engage Franklin will review applications, with final approval retained by the commission; a grants committee is planned. No vendor contract award was made.

The commission discussed requiring event grant applicants to track or document overnight stays, including through hotel booking links or other reporting, to demonstrate tourism impact; staff will develop a draft process for a future meeting. A proposed sponsorship for the Franklin Youth Tournament Club was discussed, but commissioners requested a formal grant application and more information before considering it. A nature center grant application did not receive a second to the motion and was not approved. Engage Franklin also reported ongoing tourism marketing, visitor-guide development, and paid social advertising, including work with McDaniel's Marketing.