Visit Tri Cities seeks $253,000 from TPA reserves for 2026 marketing and a sports‑facility study

Kevin Lewis, president and CEO of Visit Tri Cities (VISTA Tri Cities), presented the organization’s annual report and a tourism performance area (TPA) reserve request at the Nov. 24 Pasco workshop. Lewis told the council the organization’s total revenues were about $3.4 million with roughly $2.8 million in spending last year and that most revenues come from the TPA assessment and lodging tax contracts with member jurisdictions.

Lewis said Visit Tri Cities asked the TPA to set aside $253,000 of reserve funds for projects in 2026, and that the TPA commission of hotel general managers approved the request unanimously. Proposed uses include a regional sports facilities market analysis, promotions for convention and sports sales, a Washington wine campaign and targeted media/influencer tours. Lewis said the TPA has a reserve balance of about $1.3 million that built up through unspent funds and that staff are mindful of statutory reserve regulations.

Council members discussed whether the region should fund a sports facility feasibility study and whether events like Ironman present opportunities for Pasco. Council members asked for clarification on lodging tax and TPA mechanics; Lewis explained that part of Visit Tri Cities funding comes from a lodging tax allocation and part from a $3 per‑room per‑night TPA assessment that hotels agreed to charge and route through the city.

Lewis said Visit Tri Cities is projecting about 21,000 convention room nights and 22,000 projected rooms from sports tournaments in 2026, and highlighted several events that drive visitation, including the Ironman weekend and state championships. He also noted a new USA tournament booked at the HAPO Center and that some event impacts leak to short‑term rentals rather than hotels.

Next steps: The council asked questions; staff will consider the TPA reserve request and it will appear for formal action on a future agenda.