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Committee recommends confirmation of Zahoor Ahmed to Convention Center board
Summary
The Governance & Utilities Committee recommended confirmation of Zahoor Ahmed to the Washington State Convention Center public facilities district board after hearing endorsements from the Convention Center president and the appointee's remarks about downtown economic growth; vote was 4-0.
The Governance & Utilities Committee recommended confirmation of Zahoor Ahmed to the Washington State Convention Center public facilities district board for a term ending July 30, 2030.
Jen Lemaster, president and CEO of the Seattle Convention Center, introduced Ahmed and praised his experience in hospitality, finance and operations, noting his service on boards including Visit Seattle and the Downtown Seattle Association. Lemaster said Ahmed's financial and industry expertise "will serve this mission well."
Ahmed (appointee) described his decades of work in Seattle hospitality and his view that the convention center is a major civic and economic asset; he emphasized the importance of occupancy and hotel performance to support bond repayment and downtown vitality. Council members asked about downtown connectivity and how to capitalize on recent events such as the World Cup to sustain tourism momentum.
Council discussion focused on leveraging recent visitor momentum and a long-term vision for downtown, including references to lid I-5 and public-private partnerships. The committee moved and seconded a recommendation to confirm the appointment; the clerk recorded a 4-0 favorable roll call and the committee directed that the recommendation be sent to the July 14 council meeting for final confirmation.
Next steps: the recommendation will be forwarded to full council on July 14.
