The Texas Renaissance Festival will promote The Woodlands as a destination partner for this fall’s eight-week annual festival season.

The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau approved a $7,500 one-year sponsorship with the festival June 8. The agreement includes the promotion of The Woodlands on the festival’s website, social media pages and in targeted radio, TV, digital and print advertising.

In return, The Woodlands CVB and participating member hotels will promote the festival’s logo, dates of operation and website online and in appropriate promotional materials to attract guests who will stay overnight.

“There truly is not a lot of a hotel infrastructure around [the festival],” CVB board chairman Gordy Bunch said. “We want to make sure people are aware we are the coolest, closest place to come.”

The festival is expected to draw 600,000 visitors for the 2016 season. Approximately 25 percent of visitors are from outside the Greater Houston area, including Austin, Waco, San Antonio and Beaumont. An average of 100,000 festival attendees are in need of a hotel each year, according to festival representatives.

TRF representatives also proposed using The Woodlands Express buses as a way to offer park and ride shuttle service to and from the festival. However, The Woodlands Township board of directors must approve that item.

The Texas Renaissance Festival began in 1974 and lasts for eight weeks every fall. The festival is held roughly 25 miles northwest of The Woodlands in Todd Mission.