Lynnwood interviews tourism advisory applicant as World Cup approaches

The Lynnwood City Council interviewed Brian Pouch on Jan. 21 for the citizen seat (position 8) on the city’s Tourism Advisory Committee and placed his confirmation on the council agenda for next week.

Council members and staff said the timing is important as regional activity tied to the FIFA World Cup and other events will raise tourism demands. Ryan Busch, tourism project manager, introduced Pouch and told the council the citizen seat “is required to be filled by someone that calls Lynnwood home.”

Pouch told the council he has lived in Lynnwood for about seven years and works in financial services and digital marketing. “I’ve been a resident of Lynnwood for about 7 years,” he said, adding that he coaches youth soccer and has traveled internationally. He said he hopes to bring a resident perspective and digital‑marketing experience to the committee.

Council member Decker, who serves as the council’s tourism liaison, said Pouch’s background in digital marketing would “be great to have” to review city web content and outreach and noted the city expects more international visitors in coming years. Several council members asked Pouch about handling conflicts and about what he would like visitors to discover in Lynnwood; Pouch said he would promote family‑friendly features and pursue signature events that could grow over time.

Ryan Busch told the council staff will follow up with Pouch and that the council already has the appointment on the agenda for formal confirmation at next week’s meeting.

What happened next: The council did not vote at the work session; staff said a confirmation item will appear on the regular meeting agenda next week for the council’s final vote.

Provenance: The council discussed the applicant and scheduled confirmation in the portion of the transcript beginning when Ryan Busch introduced Brian Pouch and ending when the mayor said the appointment would be on next week’s agenda.