Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District opts to keep event funds local

With Twentynine Palms Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Chair Rakesh Mehta out on an excused absence, Vice-Chair Ashton Ramsey led a discussion yesterday that tackled proposed changes to the Visit 29 Palms TBID Sponsorship & Event Grant Program Guidelines. Most changes were to clarify language, but an idea that the program be extended to outside communities within the Morongo Basin proved too much. Several statements from residents and stakeholders urged the TBID to keep the program local, with one business owner, Jimmy Brower, remarking that it would “create competition against your own community.” Thus, the controversial item was removed, while other changes were approved, including:  

  • Recipients must enter into an agreement with both Visit 29 Palms and the City of Twentynine Palms.  
  • Event location definition expands to include Desert Heights, Indian Cove Campground Amphitheater, the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, and Wonder Valley.
  • Both sponsorships and event grants will have formal point-based evaluation criteria tables with scoring ranges.
  • A 45-day window for the Events Subcommittee to approve event changes.
  • The application deadline for events scheduled between January 1 – June 30, 2026, is October 1.

TBID also approved hiring a contractor to run their social media content. Out of 15 submissions, it was narrowed to three, in order of preference: Camrie Rounds, Paul Martinez and Colorado Studio. Monthly costs will range from $2,000-$2,500+ and will be funded through the TBID’s Contract Services budget.

And speaking of budgets, TBID’s Marketing Director Breanne Dusastre reviewed the proposed FY 2025–26 Visit 29 Palms Tourism Marketing Plan and budget, sharing a projected revenue of $557,500 and planned expenditures of $547,843. Dusastre noted that there is an 11 percent increase in room inventories this year and that resources will be put into advertising via broadcast, streaming channels and billboards.Also covered in the meeting was the welcome news that the city has advanced to the public voting phase for a $120K multi-year grant from the Levitt Foundation for a free, outdoor music series.

Anyone anywhere can vote, online or by text, September 5-15 at levitt.org/vote.

Heather Clisby

Heather Clisby

Heather Clisby has been working in journalism and communications for over three decades, includings stints at newspapers, magazines, blogs and radio stations. A native of Long Beach, California, she can usually be found guiding tourists in Joshua Tree National Park, auditioning and/or clapping for others at Theatre 29, playing improv, or supporting all her friends in loud bands. She lives with her dog, Sweetpea, in Twentynine Palms.