Tourism Advisory Committee

ACTION MINUTES LYNNWOOD TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE Lynnwood Development & Business Services April 9, 2026, | 8:00 AM 1. Call to Order Chairperson Mata called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M. 2. Roll Call 2.A Roll Call Committee Members Present: Committee Members Absent: Chairperson Isabel Mata Committee Member Frank Percival Committee Member Chip Peterson Committee Member Janet Pope Staff: Committee Member Jerry Irwin Tourism Manager Ryan Bush Committee Member Anthony Angel Development & Business Services Director Ben Committee Member Brian Pouch Wolters Public Attendees: Emily Sorenson, Courtyard Marriott and LTAC Applicant 3. Approval of Minutes 3.A Approval of Minutes, February 12, 2026 Committee Member Pope motioned to approve the minutes as written and was seconded by Committee Member Peterson. 4. Public Comments There were no public comments during this meeting. 5. Reports from Committee Members 5.A Committee Member Reports Committee Member Irwin shared of some recent openings at Alderwood Mall including Gorjana and Untuckit. He also shared projects scheduled to open including Supreme Dumplings, Sugo Sushi and others. Committee Member Pope shared that the Lynnwood Event Center had a successful first quarter with 4,300 attendees thus far. The Public Facilities District continues to  push their master plan forward and recently announced their full team. She also shared that Geek Fest is coming in July and working closely with event organizers. Committee Member Peterson shared that travel continues to be difficult and have not seen any significant bookings for World Cup timeframe for Lynnwood. Committee Member Angel highlighted that the restaurant industry has been steady but as the weather gets nice, restaurant business will begin to slow. Dave & Buster’s are preparing for increased visitors to watch the World Cup games at their restaurant. 6. General Discussion 6.A TPA Application Brainstorm Tourism Manager Bush presented the committee with two marketing strategies that could be used to apply for Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) grant funding from Snohomish County. The options included funds to support group sales missions or to expand our digital marketing efforts. Bush shared that for our next budget cycle, we may need to consider further exploring TPA funds to continue our work. The committee supported applying for TPA funds. 6.B 2027-2028 Budget Brainstorm Tourism Manager Bush shared with the committee that later this summer they will be responsible for recommending a 2027-2028 budget to City Council for Fund 101. This fund covers all aspects of the tourism program, marketing, and debt payments to the Public Facilities District. The presentation outlined how the budget is used, historical revenues, and the required amount of funds that are directed to the PFD. Director Wolters pointed out to the committee that the PFD debt service increases each year and revenues remain stable. He encouraged the committee to consider pursuing TPA funding to cover our work to ensure we can continue to maintain the PFD debt payment. Bush and Wolters encouraged the committee to consider attending meetings with the County or submit letters of support for the funding. Chair Mata suggested that the committee should consider building the reserve funds back up to cover debt service and staff time. Committee member Peterson recommended that the 2027-2028 budget projections should remain low or stable to previous periods. Tourism Manager Bush will return to a future meeting with updated budgets and recommendations for the committee to review.  Committee Member Irwin suggested considering a TPA application that targets British Columbian travelers and remind them that Lynnwood hotels are still here and Canadian friendly. 7. Staff Reports 7.A April Staff Report Tourism Manager Bush provided an update on the only tourism legislation that successfully passed, which was a funding assessment for the State of Washington Tourism program. Director Wolters informed the committee of a short-term paid parking ordinance that the city is working on to help alleviate some parking congestion at the light rail station. This ordinance would allow for property owners to charge for parking in their lots during a six-month trial basis. The planning department will be giving Council some options to consider in May and will keep this group in the loop as this progresses. 8. New Business There was no new business during this meeting. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 A.M. Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2026.