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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2025-10-20 Item 7A - LTAC - Lodging Tax Funding: Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority for $8,000 & $60,000COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS Initials Meeting Date Prepared by Mayor's revieav Council revieav 10/20/25 BJM ITEM INFORMATION ITEM No. 7.A. STAFF SPONSOR: BRANDON MILES ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 10 / 20 / 25 AGENDA ITEM TITLE Review of two lodging tax funding requests from Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (dba Explore Seattle Southside) for a meeting incentive and promotion campaign. CATEGORY ® Discussion Mtg Date 10/20/25 Motion Mtg Date 10/20/25 ❑ Resolution Mtg Date ❑ Ordinance Mtg Date ❑ Bid Award Mtg Date ❑ Public Hearing Mtg Date ❑ Other Mtg Date SPONSOR ❑ Council ® Mayor ❑ Admin Svcs ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ P&R ❑ Police ❑ PIV SPONSOR'S SUMMARY Explore Seattle Southside has requested funding for two years to help Tukwila hotels secure new rate -sensitive meetings, conferences, and convention business. The incentive is tied to rooms nights contracted by a Tukwila hotel and is focused on attracting visitations to the City. REVIEWED BY ❑ Trans&Infrastructure Svcs ❑ Community Svcs/Safety ❑ Finance & Governance ® Planning & Community Dev. ® LTAC ❑ Arts Comm. ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm. DATE: 10/10/25 COMMITTEE CHAIR: SHARP RECOMMENDATIONS: SPONSOR/ADMIN. Approve. COMMII"IEE N/A COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED $68,000 AMOUNT BUDGETED $60,000 APPROPRIATION REQUIRED $8,000 Fund Source: LODGING TAX FUNDS (101). Comments: No general funds will be used. MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION 10/20/25 MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS 10/20/25 Informational Memorandum, dated October 13, 2025 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Agenda, October 10, 2025 Meeting Explore Seattle Southside LTAC Application for 2025 Explore Seattle Southside LTAC Application for 2026 369 City of Tukwila Thomas McLeod, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Planning and Community Development FROM: Brandon Miles, Director, Strategic Initiatives CC: Thomas McLeod, Mayor DATE: October 13, 2025 SUBJECT: Lodging Tax Funding Requests ISSUE Review of two lodging tax funding requests from Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (dba Explore Seattle Southside) for a meeting incentive and promotion campaign. BACKGROUND The City collects a 1% lodging tax on certain qualifying overnight stays in paid accommodations (hotels/motels/Airbnb) in the City. State law limits the use of these funds to tourism promotion'. There is currently just over $1 million in lodging tax funds available for use. The City's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) reviews all requests for use of lodging tax funds. LTAC then forwards a list of recommended applications to the City Council for its review and consideration. If LTAC does not recommend an application be funded, that application is not forwarded to the City Council. The City Council may approve or deny any of the applications recommended by LTAC. The City Council may also approve an application and increase or decrease the dollar amount awarded2. The City accepts applications on a rolling basis, with the LTAC reviewing requests monthly. Pending Applications 1. Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (dba Explore Seattle Southside) for Meeting Incentive and Promotion Campaign ($8,000 in 2025, $60,000 in 2026) i RCW 67.28.080 (6) defines "tourism promotion" as "...activities, operations, and expenditures designed to increase tourism, including but not limited to advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists; developing strategies to expand tourism; operating tourism promotion agencies; and funding the marketing of or the operation of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists." 2 On August 17, 2016, the Washington State Attorney General's Office issued an informal opinion regarding whether a municipality could change the dollar amounts recommended by the local lodging tax advisory committee. Specifically, the informal opinion states: "When awarding lodging tax revenues pursuant to RCW 67.28.1816(2)(b)(ii), a municipality may award amounts different from the local lodging tax advisory committee's recommended amounts, but only after satisfying the procedural requirements of RCW 67.28.1817(2), according to which the municipality must submit its proposed change to the advisory committee for review and comment at least forty-five days before final action on the proposal." 370 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 Explore Seattle Southside has requested funding for two years to help Tukwila hotels secure new rate -sensitive meetings, conferences, and convention business. The incentive is tied to room nights contracted by a Tukwila hotel and is focused on attracting visitors to the City. Explore Seattle Southside has been operating a similar project with the City of SeaTac and would like to expand it to Tukwila, subject to the award of lodging tax funds. The City will provide the funding opportunity to Explore Seattle Southside which will then work with hotels. The LTAC reviewed the request on October 10, 2025. In the meeting, LTAC recommended increasing the funding request from $30,000 to $60,000. If funds are not expended, they will remain with the City in the lodging tax fund. LTAC Recommendation on Application: Approval. Staff Recommendation on Application: Approval. FINANCIAL IMPACT The total request for this application will not exceed $68,000 over two years. The City had budgeted $60,000 for business attraction and promotion, combined for 2025 and 2026. 2025 Tourism Six -Year Financial Plan Allocation Business Attraction and Promotion: $30,000 Explore Seattle Southside (Pending): ($8,000) Remaining Business Attraction and Promotion Funds: $24,000 2026 Tourism Six -Year Financial Plan Allocation Business Attraction and Promotion: $30,000 Explore Seattle Southside (Pending): ($60,000) Remaining Business Attraction and Promotion Funds: ($30,000) Remaining Business Attraction and Promotion Funds: $(30,000) 371 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 3 RECOM MENDATION The Council is being asked to approve the lodging tax request in the amount of $8,000 for 2025 and $60,000 for 2026. While the amount for 2026 exceed what was shown in the six -year financial model for the lodging tax funds, there is sufficient funds in the lodging tax program to cover the additional request. ATTACH MENTS 1. Explore Seattle Southside Funding Request Applications 372 DRAFT AGENDA Lodging Tax Advisory Committee 11:30 A.M., Friday, October 10, 2025 Hybrid Meeting The public can view and listen to the meeting with the information below or attend the meeting in person at Tukwila City Hall (6200 Southcenter Blvd.), Hazelnut conference room. CALL IN INSTRUCTIONS: PHONE ID: # -u- Join on your computer or mobile device: Join "t For assistance during the meeting, please call (206) 731-9071. 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Review of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Special Presentations 5. General Business 6. Pending Funding Requests a. Explore Seattle Southside, Tukwila Hotel Conference/Convention Incentive ($8,000, 2025 and $30,000, 2026) 7. Announcements a. Special meeting on October 24, 2025 for World Cup Update and Funding Request 8. Roundtable 9. Adjourn Next Scheduled Meeting: When: October 24, 2025 Location: Hybrid City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 373 Application to the City of Tukwila for Use of 2025 Lodging Tax Funds ): j Tukwila t e/. ion Incentive Event or Activity Name (if applicable): Tukwila Hotel Conference/Convents to exceed $8,000 in 2025 Amount of Lodging Tax Requested:Not ....�eee _. ..- .__ Applicant Organization:Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority Federal Tax ID Number: 47-3031480 Mailing Address: Primary Contact Name: Primary Contact Phone: Primary Contact Email Address: 3100 S 176th St., Ste 200, SeaTac WA 98188 Mark Everton Y YtlW 206-406-1575 ........_ d mark@seattlesout sie.com.... Check all the service categories that apply to this application: ✓ Tourism promotion or marketing. ✓ Operation of a special event or festival designed to attract tourists. ✓ Operation of a tourism -related facility owned or operated by a non-profit organization. ✓ Operation and/or capital costs of a tourism -related facility owned by a municipality or a public facilities district. Check which one of the following applies to your agency: ✓ Non -Profit (Note: Attach a copy of your current non-profit corporate registration from the Washington Secretary of State Office) Municipality For Profit Corporation I am an authorized agent of the organization/agency applying for funding. I understand that: • I am proposing a tourism -related service for 2023. If awarded, my organization intends to enter into a services contract with the City; provide liability insurance for the duration of the contract naming the City as additional insured and in an amount determined by the City; and file for a permit for use of City property, if applicable. • My agency will be required to submit a report documenting economic impact results in a format determined by the City. Signature �.� Date: October 1, 2025 wx� ��� �� -�. Mark Everton, CEO, Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority 374 1) Describe your tourism -related activity or event. This incentive will be made available to Tukwila hotels to secure new rate -sensitive meetings, conferences and convention business. 2) If an event, list the event name, date(s), and projected overall attendance. This incentive will be applicable to any new rate -sensitive meetings, conferences and convention business that a Tukwila hotel is competing against other hotel(s). 3) Is your event/activity/facility focusing on attracting overnight tourists, day tourists, or both? This incentive is tied to room nights contracted by a Tukwila hotel and is focused on attracting overnight visitation to Tukwila. 4) Describe why visitors will travel to Tukwila to attend your event/activity/facility. Meetings, conferences and convention business decision makers are attracted to Tukwila due to Tukwila's proximity to SEA and the myriad of amenities that Tukwila offers. This incentive is intended to narrow the economic gap that may exist between a Tukwila hotel and another hotel that the decision maker may be considering. 5) Describe the geographic target of the visitors you hope to attract (locally, regionally, nationally, and/or internationally). This incentive is applicable to all origins of potential meetings, conferences and convention business 6) Describe the prior success of your event/activity/facility in attracting tourists. A similar incentive program is currently in place in SeaTac. The program has been successful in booking business and has received the endorsement of SeaTac hotels. 7) If this your first time holding the event/activity/facility provide background on why you think it will be successful. N/A 8) Describe how you will promote lodging establishments, restaurants, retailers, and entertainment establishments in the City of Tukwila. The RTA promotes Tukwila in a variety of different ways. The Tukwila hotels quote rates an negotiate with the clients. This incentive is intended to be a tool for the Tukwila hotels to close additional business. 9) Describe how you will use the name, "Tukwila" in publications, promotions, and for your event? The RTA will refer to the incentive opportunity for potential meetings, conferences and convention business as the `Tukwila Hotel Conference/Convention Incentive". Page 2 of 4 375 10) Measurements and Metrics (Note: You will be required to report these metrics as part of the close out of the agreement between your organization and the City.) As a direct result of your proposed tourism -related service, provide an estimate of: a. Overall attendance at your proposed event/activity/facility. unk b. Number of people who will travel fewer than 50 miles for your unk event/activity. c. Number of people who will travel more than 50 miles for your event/activity. d. Of the people who travel more than 50 miles, the number of people who will travel from another country or state. e. Of the people who travel more than 50 miles, the number of people who will stay overnight in Tukwila. f. Of the people staying overnight, the number of people who will stay in PAID accommodations (hotel/motel/bed-breakfast) in Tukwila. g. Number of paid lodging room nights resulting from your proposed event/ activity/facility (for example: 25 paid rooms on Friday and 50 paid rooms on Saturday = 75 paid lodging room nights) 11) What methodologies did you use to calculate the estimates and what methodologies will you use to track outcomes, such as total participants, estimated visitor spending, etc? The data for potential meetings, conferences and convention business that will be influenced by this incentive is not known at this time. Reporting will be available upon the conclusion of the meeting/conference/convention. 12) What is the overall budget for your event/activity/facility? What percent of the budget are you requesting from the City of Tukwila? We are requesting funding on a contract by contract basis not to exceed $8,000 in 2025. Page 3 of 4 376 Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Please contact staff to discuss the process for having the application reviewed by the City's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Completed applications should be submitted to: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee c/o Brandon Miles City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd Tukwila, WA 98188 Or, iir 3 o d "1-0lk mI III Questions? LTAC Contact: Brandon J. Miles (206) 431-3684 ..�,m...ar Ilk. Updated: December 29, 2024 Page4of4 377 Revised 10.1.25 2025 Tukwila Hotel Conference/Convention Incentive I. Summary The Meetings and Group Incentive Program is a multi -faceted initiative that will bring economic benefit to the City of Tukwila. Explore Seattle Southside will contract with eligible meeting planners and group leaders for marketing services, directly targeting event attendees, and the contracted compensation will incentivize planners to book their events at Tukwila hotels. This program was developed in collaboration with regional hotel directors of sales and informed by hoteliers' experiences with the meetings and group markets. II. Goals The program presented here is Explore Seattle Southside's strategy for 1) assisting hotel sales teams in recruiting and retaining group business, and 2) showcasing the destination's restaurants, attractions, and other microadventures direct to event attendees. The availability of these funds will keep Tukwila hotels competitive with the meetings and group markets, as well as create a targeted marketing opportunity to further promote Tukwila. III. Contracted Services and Incentive Payout Explore Seattle Southside will contract with the event planner for collaborative and targeted marketing services. The scope of service will vary depending on the group and may include. a. Event Landing Page: Seattle Southside restaurants, activities, itinerary suggestions, and more may be promoted on an event landing page. b. Dedicated Email Blast: clients may send an email on behalf of Explore Seattle Southside to their attendees and/or potential attendees promoting 'stay an extra day', itinerary suggestions, local attractions, dining, and other businesses. c. Welcome Services: Explore Seattle Southside staff may provide welcome letters, welcome bags, and/or other welcome services to event attendees promoting local attractions, dining, and other businesses. d. Dedicated Social Posts: clients may post about the Seattle Southside region on their social media channels using their own content or content provided by the Explore Seattle Southside. 378 Revised 10.1.25 The incentive amount will be determined by calculating 10% of the average room rate multiplied by the total number of rooms included in the hotel contract. For example, a hotel room block of 100 rooms with an average contracted rate of $200 will receive an incentive total of $2,000 (based on $20,000 incremental hotel room revenue). Exceptions to this calculation may apply, depending on the desirability of the group event and the economic impact anticipated. Funds will be distributed directly to the client upon confirmation of a signed hotel contract. Maximum compensation is $8,000 per event. IV. Approach Hoteliers will present this opportunity to their clients during negotiations. If the hotelier determines that this program will assist in closing business, then they will reach out to Explore Seattle Southside staff with details of the event. These details will be used to calculate the economic benefit of the event on the Tukwila hotel and the Seattle Southside region using a third -party event impact calculator. a. Event Eligibility Explore Seattle Southside staff will evaluate business based on its benefit to the destination. An example of group business that will benefit the destination includes business that can grow over time; for example, an association conference that repeats annually or a corporate retreat that can expand to other types of events such as trainings and meetings. Ideal candidates are meeting and group planners who have not experienced the destination and need a push to try somewhere new. Planners who have booked within the destination previously and are tempted to move their event outside of Seattle Southside are also good candidates. Circumstances will be evaluated on a case -by - case basis to determine feasibility. For an event or group room block to qualify, it must meet the following criteria: • Must be either new business or attracted to another destination. • Must be contracted (no courtesy blocks). • Hotel contract must include an attrition clause. • Explore Seattle Southside marketing collaboration required. • Impact to destination is expected to be at least 15x the funding amount. • Must be an 'event'. An "event" includes a day or multi -day meeting, tradeshow, or conference or a group room block - negotiated corporate or crew accommodation are exempt from consideration. 379 Revised 10.1.25 b. Application Process The hotel salesperson will submit an application through an online form on behalf of their client for analysis by Explore Seattle Southside staff. c. Approval Process Once Explore Seattle Southside staff determine that the business will economically benefit the region, program participation will be approved, and the client and hotelier will be notified. Explore Seattle Southside staff will contract with the client, outlining the terms and conditions for receiving the funds, which will include targeted marketing collaboration. V. Measuring Success After the conclusion of the event, the hotel will share with the Explore Seattle Southside the number of rooms actualized, and a final event impact report will be generated. The Meetings and Group Incentive Program will be evaluated based on the number of groups incentivized, the incentive expenditure compared to the economic impact of the actualized event, hotel sales team feedback, and survey responses from clients to determine incentive impact in their decision -making. 380 Revised 10.1.25 APPENDIX I 2025 Budget Funding for the Meetings and Group Incentive Program will come from City of Tukwila lodging taxes for 2025 and will be accessed only by City of Tukwila hoteliers on behalf of their clients. Expenditures will be reported to the City of Tukwila on a quarterly basis. Budget availability will be transparent to hotel sales teams and reported on a regular basis. 2025: 4th Qtr Incentive paid to Tukwila hotel clients for contracted room nights $8,000 Total 2025 $8,000 381 Application to the City of Tukwila for Use of 2026 Lodging Tax Funds Event or Activity Name (if applicable): ... Amount of Lodging Tax Requested: ._.__. Applicant O-.w rganizatiion: Federa l Tax ID Number: Mailing Address: Primary Contact Name: Primary Contact Phone: Primary Contact Email .............� Address: Tukwila Hotel Conference/Convention Incentive Not to exceed-..._.._m.. $30,000 in 2026 Seattle Southside Regional .............. Tourism Authority 47-3031480 �.�_.. 3100 S 176thSt., Ste 200, SeaTacWA 98188 Mark Everton 206-406-1575 mark@seattlesouthside.com Check all the service categories that apply to this application: ✓ Tourism promotion or marketing. ✓ Operation of a special event or festival designed to attract tourists. ✓ Operation of a tourism -related facility owned or operated by a non-profit organization. ✓ Operation and/or capital costs of a tourism -related facility owned by a municipality or a public facilities district. Check which one of the following applies to your agency: ✓ Non -Profit (Note: Attach a copy of your current non-profit corporate registration from the Washington Secretary of State Office) Municipality For Profit Corporation am an authorized agent of the organization/agency applying for funding. I understand that: • I am proposing a tourism -related service for 2023. If awarded, my organization intends to enter into a services contract with the City; provide liability insurance for the duration of the contract naming the City as additional insured and in an amount determined by the City; and file for a permit for use of City property, if applicable. • My agency will be required to submit a report documenting economic impact results in a format determined by the City. Signature:"' Date: October 1, 2025 Mark Everton, CEO, Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority 382 1) Describe your tourism -related activity or event. This incentive will be made available to Tukwila hotels to secure new rate -sensitive meetings, conferences and convention business. 2) If an event, list the event name, date(s), and projected overall attendance. This incentive will be applicable to any new rate -sensitive meetings, conferences and convention business that a Tukwila hotel is competing against other hotel(s). 3) is your event/activity/facility focusing on attracting overnight tourists, day tourists, or both? This incentive is tied to room nights contracted by a Tukwila hotel and is focused on attracting overnight visitation to Tukwila. 4) Describe why visitors will travel to Tukwila to attend your event/activity/facility. Meetings, conferences and convention business decision makers are attracted to Tukwila due to Tukwila's proximity to SEA and the myriad of amenities that Tukwila offers. This incentive is intended to narrow the economic gap that may exist between a Tukwila hotel and another hotel that the decision maker may be considering. 5) Describe the geographic target of the visitors you hope to attract (locally, regionally, nationally, and/or internationally). This incentive is applicable to all origins of potential meetings, conferences and convention business 6) Describe the prior success of your event/activity/facility in attracting tourists. A similar incentive program is currently in place in SeaTac. The program has been successful in booking business and has received the endorsement of SeaTac hotels. 7) If this your first time holding the event/activity/facility provide background on why you think it will be successful. N/A 8) Describe how you will promote lodging establishments, restaurants, retailers, and entertainment establishments in the City of Tukwila. The RTA promotes Tukwila in a variety of different ways. The Tukwila hotels quote rates an negotiate with the clients. This incentive is intended to be a tool for the Tukwila hotels to close additional business. 9) Describe how you will use the name, "Tukwila" in publications, promotions, and for your event? The RTA will refer to the incentive opportunity for potential meetings, conferences and convention business as the 'Tukwila Hotel Conference/Convention Incentive", Page 2 of 4 383 10) Measurements and Metrics (Note: You will be required to report these metrics as part of the close out of the agreement between your organization and the City.) As a direct result of your proposed tourism -related service, provide an estimate of: a. Overall attendance at your proposed event/activity/facility. b. Number of people who will travel fewer than 50 miles for your event/activity. c. Number of people who will travel more than 50 miles for your event/activity. d. Of the people who travel more than 50 miles, the number of people who will travel from another country or state. e. Of the people who travel more than 50 miles, the number of people who will stay overnight in Tukwila. f. Of the people staying overnight, the number of people who will stay in PAID accommodations (hotel/motel/bed-breakfast) in Tukwila. g. Number of paid lodging room nights resulting from your proposed event/ activity/facility (for example: 25 paid rooms on Friday and 50 paid rooms on Saturday = 75 paid lodging room nights) 11) What methodologies did you use to calculate the estimates and what methodologies will you use to track outcomes, such as total participants, estimated visitor spending, etc? The data for potential meetings, conferences and convention business that will be influenced by this incentive is not known at this time. Reporting will be available upon the conclusion of the meeting/conference/convention. 12) What is the overall budget for your event/activity/facility? What percent of the budget are you requesting from the City of Tukwila? We are requesting funding on a contract by contract basis not to exceed $30,000 in 2026. Page 3 of 4 384 Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Please contact staff to discuss the process for having the application reviewed by the City's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Completed applications should be submitted to: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee c/o Brandon Miles City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd Tukwila, WA 98188 Or, uestions? LTAC Contact: Brandon J. Miles (206) 431-3684 'a ad 11„,IVIIi ps( "1 .Alll ‘r���l Updated: December 29, 2024 Page 4 of 4 385 Revised 10.1.25 2026 Tukwila Hotel Conference/Convention Incentive I. Summary The Meetings and Group Incentive Program is a multi -faceted initiative that will bring economic benefit to the City of Tukwila. Explore Seattle Southside will contract with eligible meeting planners and group leaders for marketing services, directly targeting event attendees, and the contracted compensation will incentivize planners to book their events at Tukwila hotels. This program was developed in collaboration with regional hotel directors of sales and informed by hoteliers' experiences with the meetings and group markets. II. Goals The program presented here is Explore Seattle Southside's strategy for 1) assisting hotel sales teams in recruiting and retaining group business, and 2) showcasing the destination's restaurants, attractions, and other microadventures direct to event attendees. The availability of these funds will keep Tukwila hotels competitive with the meetings and group markets, as well as create a targeted marketing opportunity to further promote Tukwila. III. Contracted Services and Incentive Payout Explore Seattle Southside will contract with the event planner for collaborative and targeted marketing services. The scope of service will vary depending on the group and may include. a. Event Landing Page: Seattle Southside restaurants, activities, itinerary suggestions, and more may be promoted on an event landing page. b. Dedicated Email Blast: clients may send an email on behalf of Explore Seattle Southside to their attendees and/or potential attendees promoting 'stay an extra day', itinerary suggestions, local attractions, dining, and other businesses. c. Welcome Services: Explore Seattle Southside staff may provide welcome letters, welcome bags, and/or other welcome services to event attendees promoting local attractions, dining, and other businesses. d. Dedicated Social Posts: clients may post about the Seattle Southside region on their social media channels using their own content or content provided by the Explore Seattle Southside. 386 Revised 10.1.25 The incentive amount will be determined by calculating 10% of the average room rate multiplied by the total number of rooms included in the hotel contract. For example, a hotel room block of 100 rooms with an average contracted rate of $200 will receive an incentive total of $2,000 (based on $20,000 incremental hotel room revenue). Exceptions to this calculation may apply, depending on the desirability of the group event and the economic impact anticipated. Funds will be distributed directly to the client upon confirmation of a signed hotel contract. Maximum compensation is $10,000 per event. IV. Approach Hoteliers will present this opportunity to their clients during negotiations. If the hotelier determines that this program will assist in closing business, then they will reach out to Explore Seattle Southside staff with details of the event. These details will be used to calculate the economic benefit of the event on the Tukwila hotel and the Seattle Southside region using a third -party event impact calculator. a. Event Eligibility Explore Seattle Southside staff will evaluate business based on its benefit to the destination. An example of group business that will benefit the destination includes business that can grow over time; for example, an association conference that repeats annually or a corporate retreat that can expand to other types of events such as trainings and meetings. Ideal candidates are meeting and group planners who have not experienced the destination and need a push to try somewhere new. Planners who have booked within the destination previously and are tempted to move their event outside of Seattle Southside are also good candidates. Circumstances will be evaluated on a case -by - case basis to determine feasibility. For an event or group room block to qualify, it must meet the following criteria: • Must be either new business or attracted to another destination. • Must be contracted (no courtesy blocks). • Hotel contract must include an attrition clause. • Explore Seattle Southside marketing collaboration required. • Impact to destination is expected to be at least 15x the funding amount. • Must be an 'event'. An "event" includes a day or multi -day meeting, tradeshow, or conference or a group room block - negotiated corporate or crew accommodation are exempt from consideration. 387 Revised 10.1.25 b. Application Process The hotel salesperson will submit an application through an online form on behalf of their client for analysis by Explore Seattle Southside staff. c. Approval Process Once Explore Seattle Southside staff determine that the business will economically benefit the region, program participation will be approved, and the client and hotelier will be notified. Explore Seattle Southside staff will contract with the client, outlining the terms and conditions for receiving the funds, which will include targeted marketing collaboration. V. Measuring Success After the conclusion of the event, the hotel will share with the Explore Seattle Southside the number of rooms actualized, and a final event impact report will be generated. The Meetings and Group Incentive Program will be evaluated based on the number of groups incentivized, the incentive expenditure compared to the economic impact of the actualized event, hotel sales team feedback, and survey responses from clients to determine incentive impact in their decision -making. 388 Revised 10.1.25 APPENDIX I 2026 Budget Funding for the Meetings and Group Incentive Program will come from City of Tukwila lodging taxes for 2026 and will be accessed only by City of Tukwila hoteliers on behalf of their clients. Expenditures will be reported to the City of Tukwila on a quarterly basis. Budget availability will be transparent to hotel sales teams and reported on a regular basis. 2026: 1st Qtr Incentive paid to Tukwila hotel clients for contracted room nights $7,500 2nd Qtr Incentive paid to Tukwila hotel clients for contracted room nights $7,500 3rd Qtr Incentive paid to Tukwila hotel clients for contracted room nights $7,500 4th Qtr Incentive paid to Tukwila hotel clients for contracted room nights $7,500 Total 2026 $30,000 389