The advisory board approved $3,000 in marketing funding for the Ride for Rotary cycling fundraiser, after organizers presented a post-event report for the 2024 ride and requested an additional $500 above last year’s $2,500 award.

Daniela Sosa, president of the Brownsville Rotary Club’s local chapter, and Joyce Vasquez, the event chair, presented the post-event report showing growth in participants (367 riders in 2024, up from 250 the prior year) and 76 total room nights that included hotels, condos and Airbnbs. The organizers said they used CVB funds for Facebook ads, in-person promotion and in-kind support; they also secured prize-donation partners such as Isla Grande, Margaritaville and local restaurants.

“Every time that we did do our socials, we push it to the max,” the event chair said, describing online outreach that reached tens of thousands on Facebook and generated leads. Staff recommended $3,000 for marketing; the board moved and approved the full $3,000 for marketing purposes only.

Organizers also described operational changes for 2025 including packet-pickup logistics, expanded hotel outreach and weekly marketing campaigns; they said safety incidents were zero for 2024 and that local EMS and a nurse supported the event.

Ending: The board approved the $3,000 marketing award and organizers said they will continue outreach to increase hotel and rental bookings and to expand sponsorship support.