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Committee advances tourism grant package: Kicking It festival, bodybuilding events and Wild Waves celebration among recommendations
Summary
The committee moved a slate of ELTAC lodging-tax recommendations to the May 5 consent agenda, including $150,000 for the Kicking It festival, $7,500 and $10,000 for two bodybuilding events, $20,000 for a chamber destination guide and $20,000 for Wild Waves' 50th season celebration; Pacific Raceways' request was pulled to the business agenda for further review.
The committee advanced a package of tourism-enhancement recommendations from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (ELTAC) to the May 5 consent agenda and moved one item to the business calendar for further review.
Key ELTAC recommendations forwarded to consent included staff's support for the Kicking It community festival and FIFA viewing parties ($150,000 requested and recommended), Elite Productions (Sasquatch ProAm bodybuilding competition, ELTAC recommended $7,500), Rivik Productions (Northwest Open / Natural Bodybuilding Championship, $10,000 recommended), and a Greater Federal Way Chamber destination guide marketing project ($20,000 recommended). The committee also recommended $20,000 for Wild Waves' 50th season celebration, reduced from the park's $50,000 request.
"This will help with some of the messaging to get further out into the community and for visitors in the region," said Autumn as staff described Kicking It's mix of regional marketing, sponsorships and seed funding from the Port of Seattle.
Several committee members raised questions about Pacific Raceways' request for $75,000 for its 2026 event season. Members asked for clearer documentation of hotel room impacts and for information on whether neighboring cities contribute. The committee moved the Pacific Raceways item to the May 5 business agenda and asked staff to invite a Raceway representative to answer questions.
The committee also discussed the proposal to use lodging-tax funds for banner-style promotions on 320th Avenue; members warned the proposal may conflict with the city's flag policy and no action was taken pending council leadership review.
Next steps: ELTAC recommendations will be on the May 5 consent agenda for City Council approval, except Pacific Raceways which will appear on the May 5 business agenda for fuller presentation and Q&A.
