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Wojaczynski, Brittany <br />From: <br />Sent: <br />To: <br />Subject: <br />Dear Santa Ana City Council, <br />Wendy Haase <wendy@travelsantaana.com> <br />Tuesday, December 20, 2022 10:07 AM <br />eComment <br />Importance of events to Downtown Santa Ana <br />The proposed dissolution of the Santa Ana Business Council and Downtown Santa Ana, Inc. raises concerns for the <br />funding and operations of some of Santa Ana's signature events, including Dancing in the Streets, Artwalk and Savor. <br />These events highlight the destination's arts and cultures, differentiate Santa Ana from other OC destinations and draw <br />both residents and visitors to the downtown's dining and retail. <br />The organization's branding efforts, which focused on community engagement showed that 70% of the participants see <br />Santa Ana's personality as "a community that values arts and culture." And 61% strongly associate "cultural diversity and <br />events" with the destination. <br />These signature events draw overnight visitors to the city's hotels and motels, generating transit occupancy tax with <br />revenue going into the city's general fund covering the cost of road repairs, education, police, fire and more. An <br />estimated $7 million is anticipated for 2021-2022. <br />According to Travel Santa Ana's visitor analysis, the Downtown Artwalk is the number one point of interest month over <br />month. Even in 2021 with COVID restrictions prohibiting the event for the first seven months, the event drew nearly <br />4,000 visitors to downtown. <br />These events have potential to bring more residents and visitors to downtown to support economic growth now that <br />Travel Santa Ana's marketing and sales efforts are active. We feature these events on travelsantaana.com and they will <br />be highlighted in the city's inaugural visitors guide. The Artwalk and Dancing in the Streets are also featured in the <br />"Proud Santanero" campaign. The destination marketing organization showcased Savor to meeting planners to provide <br />an overview of the destination's culinary offerings, to attract group business to our hotels and event venues. <br />When discussing the future of a downtown BID or association, please consider maintaining the funding and operations <br />of downtown's signature events, Artwalk, Dancing in the Streets, and Savor. Thank you. <br />Best Regards, <br />reindy III l a�se, CID1111411E President <br />Pi:",II II � 4u^cek•:�"r� �k"� :o iq�Bu �aHV� Raw ttai�pnp 1K 7.1.4N24,21.443,-4 <br />�p{,rw�yr 9l�p I aq'�BI .III I tfi All lint r YyVhtl <br />�IIIU <br />ui��p��p������ryryryryryry dd <br />at "lrn�i�riYt4i'� .:,. <br />„6.!mwwtiwwrnmumiwno� wruAll,_1AIf ,. <br />