Tourism Promotion Page

Pierce County

Economic Development Division

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Pierce County Tourism Promotion Program is funded through a tax on lodging in hotels, motels, inns, bed & breakfasts, camps, and other tourism facilities in which guests stay for a short term.

The funding is allocated to activities that promote tourism in unincorporated Pierce County and in the cities and towns of Bonney Lake, Carbonado, Dupont, Edgewood, Fircrest, Milton, Orting, Roy, Ruston, South Prairie, Steilacoom, Sumner, University Place and Wilkeson.

ELIGIBILITY
Activities which will be considered for funding include, but are not limited to, those that increase tourism in the LTAC's area of interest by:

advertising, publicizing and distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists;
developing strategies to expand tourism in the area of interest;
operate tourism promotional agencies in the area of interest;
fund and market events and festivals in the area of interest;
and/or construct/renovate tourism related facilities in which Pierce County retains an ownership interest.

The expected outcome of such activities would be to increase economic activity in the affected areas during the funding year and subsequent years by increasing the number of guests lodged in the area, by providing additional meals and sales of souvenirs and gifts, and by increasing the availability and accessibility of tourism related facilities.

APPLICATION PROCESS
The application process takes place eary in the year, with applications due in mid-March. The application process for 2013 funding is currently closed.

Applications may be submitted by any organization, group, business, or persons interested in promoting tourism in the eligible areas noted above.
Applications are not accepted on-line.
Application workshops are required for applicants that did not receive funding in the previous cycle, and highly recommended for all applicants.
Selected applicants will be requested to provide an oral presentation to the LTAC.
Committee recommendations are then completed and submitted to the County Executive and County Council by May 31.

LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The 12 members of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the Pierce County Council to recommend use of the annual allocation of funds and to advise the County on tourism activities.

The membership includes:

1 County Council Member (who serves as chair)
1 representative of the participating cities and towns
4 members who are associated with the lodging industry
4 members who are users of lodging taxes
2 members at-large who are not associated with the lodging industry or users of the tax.

****We are currently seeking members and encourage you to apply***

If you would like to serve on the Committee, please complete a Membership Application .

MEETING SCHEDULE
The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will meet at 2:00 PM on:

Wednesday, April 25
Wednesday, May 16 (Cancelled)
Wednesday, May 23

The meeting on May 23 will consist of applicant presentations, final review and funding recommendations. All meetings are open to the public and are held at 3005 112th St. E., Tacoma, WA 98446

LTAC Committee Schedule 2012

FUNDING AWARDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

2012 Lodging Tax Funding Awards List

2013 Lodging Tax recomendations will be available in June