News

Ready for 2026? Join Us at the Ready Kitsap: Business & Tourism SummitBig opportunities are on the horizon for Kitsap County—and local businesses that prepare now will be best positioned to thrive.KEDA is proud to sponsor the Ready Kitsap: Business & Tourism Summit, a one-day event designed to help businesses understand what’s coming in 2026 and take practical steps today to scale, staff, and succeed.Taking place on Thursday, January 15 at the Kitsap Conference Center, this summit brings together regional leaders, industry experts, and business support organizations to share insights on economic growth, workforce readiness, marketing, financial preparedness, and tourism-driven...

KEDA applauds the City of Port Orchard for proactively gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and positioning our region to capture new visitor spending and business opportunities. 🌎A newly seated Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) will guide how roughly $100,000 in tourism-promotion funds are invested to strengthen events, marketing, and experiences that draw visitors to Kitsap’s communities.Seattle’s hosting duties for the World Cup will bring global attention to our region — and Port Orchard is ready to shine. From waterfront festivals to local markets and live music, these experiences help define Kitsap’s authentic appeal and drive long-term...

Next summer, the world’s largest sporting event is heading our way: The 2026 FIFA World Cup. With it comes significant potential to boost Kitsap tourism and small business.Slated to be held in 16 different cities across Mexico, Canada and the United States, what’s important for us here in the Pacific Northwest is that two of the host cities are Seattle and Vancouver, Canada. Experts expect around 750,000 to come to our region for the games. Seattle has meaningful matches to host in this tournament: A US game on June 19, a knockout match on July 1, and a round-of-16 match...

The City of Bremerton is seeking input from qualified firms to inform a future tourism branding initiative that will shape the City’s long-term approach to destination marketing. This RFI is the first step in preparing for a formal RFP, anticipated in late 2025 or early 2026, to develop a comprehensive tourism brand strategy by the end of 2026. That strategy will directly guide the structure and priorities of a new Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), to be chosen in a separate RFP expected in late 2026 for work to begin in early 2027.As these two engagements are intended to be complimentary,...

KITSAP COUNTY, Wash.–Bremerton & Kitsap County are excited to announce our selection to be an official Fan Zone for FIFA World Cup 2026™. We look forward to supporting soccer fans and athletes associated with this event, while showcasing our amazing communities on the world stage.   The Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26) announced today that they will be partnering with nine locations across the state who will host fan zones, in addition to the Seattle Fan Celebration hosted at the Seattle Center.  “The World Cup brings the entire world together around their love of soccer and their country...

Discovering Kitsap Peninsula's Recreational TreasuresThe Kitsap Peninsula, renowned for its natural beauty and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, offers a unique blend of activities that attract tourists and support economic growth. Kitsap is a haven for those seeking adventure and relaxation, from its expansive shorelines to its lush parks and trails. Whether you are a resident or a visitor, the region promises many experiences highlighting the peninsula's treasures.A Paradise for Water EnthusiastsBoating and MarinasWith over 250 miles of accessible saltwater coastline, Kitsap is a dream destination for water sports enthusiasts. Boating, fishing, water skiing, sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, and paddle...

The Washington Department of Commerce is initiating this Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit Proposals from those qualified and interested in participating in a project to administer a needs-based grant program to eligible cities, counties, tribal nations, and destination marketing organizations (DMOs). The grants will allow award recipients to conduct the necessary planning and activities needed to continue to recover from the pandemic and resulting public health orders, build capacity and resiliency, and restart projects that will increase tourism, generate new revenue and create living-wage jobs. It is anticipated that this program will receive between 40 and 60 proposals...

State grant application portal opens Mar. 14, 2023 for hospitality and lodging businesses $100 million available to support businesses affected by pandemic; information webinar March 13 OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce announced a new grant opportunity for businesses in the hospitality and lodging industry that suffered business losses due to the pandemic. The application portal opens on March 14 at wahospitalitygrants.com. An informational webinar is scheduled for Monday, March 13. To learn more and subscribe to email updates about the program visit wahospitalitygrants.com. For questions, email info@wahospitalitygrants.com.   Who...

On Aug. 15, State of Washington Tourism (SWT) will issue two tourism development grant programs for tourism sustainability and technical assistance.   Tourism Development Grant Programs  Applicants for the tourism sustainability grant may request up to $30,000 to foster safer, more inclusive, and sustainable visitor experiences in the state. The technical assistance grant will subsidize the cost of industry-specific expertise for tourism-related projects that stimulate economic development for destination communities. Based on project eligibility, applicants for this grant may request up to $10,000. Both programs will require Washington-based tourism stakeholders to provide details on...

Help determine 2023 Kitsap County lodging tax distribution   Are you interested in helping distribute funds to organizations and events that promote tourism in Kitsap County? Members are needed to serve on the Kitsap County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to assist in reviewing applications and interviewing non-profit organizations who apply to receive 2023 funding. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to make recommendations for the distribution of funds to organizations who promote Kitsap County tourism through visitor centers and special events.  Individuals who may apply to serve on the...