Hospitality & Meetings https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us State hospitality industry faces mounting pressure on multiple fronts ty@tcjournal.biz Washington’s lodging industry is under growing financial pressure as hotel operators report weakening tourism demand, rising costs, and continued strain on profitability across the state.

Washington’s lodging industry is under growing financial pressure as hotel operators report weakening tourism demand, rising costs, and continued strain on profitability across the state.


]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7980 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7980-state-hospitality-industry-faces-mounting-pressure-on-multiple-fronts Convention Center construction Expanded gates, ticketing, security among priorities in airport’s master plan ty@tcjournal.biz The Port of Pasco is updating the Tri-Cities Airport master plan, with concepts for expanded gates, ticketing, baggage claim and security expected before port commissioners in early 2027. The Port of Pasco is updating the Tri-Cities Airport master plan, with concepts for expanded gates, ticketing, baggage claim and security expected before port commissioners in early 2027.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7978 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7978-tri-cities-airport-eyes-expanded-gates-ticketing-security-in-long-range-master-plan Tri-Cities-Airport-in-Pasco Patel family builds homegrown hospitality, one hotel at a time rachel@tcjournal.biz A Kennewick-based hotel company’s newest Pasco hotel sold out its first two floors within days of opening, and it is already building what comes next. A Kennewick-based hotel company’s newest Pasco hotel sold out its first two floors within days of opening, and it is already building what comes next.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7977 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/patel-family-builds-homegrown-hospitality-one-hotel-at-a-time A-1-Sherman Richland riverfront hotel gets room refresh rachel@tcjournal.biz Rooms in a 30-year-old Richland hotel are getting a refresh this summer. Rooms in a 30-year-old Richland hotel are getting a refresh this summer. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7959 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/richland-riverfront-hotel-gets-room-refresh Hampton-Inn Public Facilities District seeks new board members A public agency that supports facilities such as the Toyota Center, Three Rivers Convention Center and the Reach Museum is looking to fill three vacancies on its board of directors. A public agency that supports facilities such as the Toyota Center, Three Rivers Convention Center and the Reach Museum is looking to fill three vacancies on its board of directors. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7754 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/public-facilities-district-seeks-new-board-members Convention Center_web.jpg Low demand prompts WSU Tri-Cities to drop two degree programs ty@tcjournal.biz Students considering Washington State University Tri-Cities will have two fewer majors to consider, but judging by enrollment, most Cougs won’t notice what’s missing. Students considering Washington State University Tri-Cities will have two fewer majors to consider, but judging by enrollment, most Cougs won’t notice what’s missing.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7401 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wsu-tri-cities-to-drop-two-degree-programs WSU-Hospitality Banquet-Meeting Facilities nathan@tcjournal.biz http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5879 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:36 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5879-banquet-meeting-facilities Lower drunk driving limit approved by WA Senate If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation on July 1. Foes of the bill cite concerns with enforcing it and worries it will drive away customers from bars, wineries and other hospitality businesses. If it makes it through the House and into law, Washington would join Utah with the toughest standard in the nation on July 1. Foes of the bill cite concerns with enforcing it and worries it will drive away customers from bars, wineries and other hospitality businesses. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7372 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/lower-drunk-driving-limit-approved-by-wa-senate Richland restaurant closing this month Less than a year after opening, a Richland restaurant will be closing its doors. Less than a year after opening, a Richland restaurant will be closing its doors. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7205 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7205-richland-restaurant-closing-this-month Public-House-255.jpg Another major golf project tees up in the Tri-Cities A south Richland golf club embarks on an ambitious and long overdue remodel on the heels of a surge of other major regional golf resort investments in the area. A south Richland golf club embarks on an ambitious and long overdue remodel on the heels of a surge of other major regional golf resort investments in the area.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7014 Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/meadow-springs Meadow-Springs-Country-Club Manhattan Project park pumps tourism dollars into Tri-Cities The unit of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park based at the Hanford site brought nearly 20,000 visitors and pumped hundreds of thousands of tourism dollars into the Tri-Cities in 2024. The unit of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park based at the Hanford site brought nearly 20,000 visitors and pumped hundreds of thousands of tourism dollars into the Tri-Cities in 2024. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6862 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/manhattan-project-park-pumps-tourism-dollars-into-tri-cities B-Reactor-Manhattan-Project-National-History-Park Heads up: Plan for Ironman event traffic impacts The IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon is only days away and will bring thousands to the Tri-Cities. It will also bring a slew of road closures, detours and delays that you may want to plan for. The IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon is only days away and will bring thousands to the Tri-Cities. It will also bring a slew of road closures, detours and delays that you may want to plan for. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6799 Mon, 15 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/ironman-event-traffic-impacts Ironman2 Help wanted: Lots of Ironman volunteers for race day The IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities triathlon is less than two weeks away and Visit Tri-Cities is looking for volunteers to help the event run smoothly. The IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities triathlon is less than two weeks away and Visit Tri-Cities is looking for volunteers to help the event run smoothly.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6763 Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/call-for-ironman-volunteers Ironman2 BMX event to bring visitors, pump dollars into region A national-level BMX racing competition returns to Richland this weekend, bringing thousands of attendees and hundreds of thousands of dollars in anticipated visitor spending. A national-level BMX racing competition returns to Richland this weekend, bringing thousands of attendees and hundreds of thousands of dollars in anticipated visitor spending. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6683 Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/bmx-event-to-bring-visitors-pump-dollars-into-region BMX Master customer service techniques at free workshop Tri-City tourism officials are hoping local businesses will take advantage of a free workshop on customer service so they can put their best foot forward when this year’s Ironman triathlon brings thousands to the Tri-Cities in September. Tri-City tourism officials are hoping local businesses will take advantage of a free workshop on customer service so they can put their best foot forward when this year’s Ironman triathlon brings thousands to the Tri-Cities in September. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6676 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/master-customer-service-techniques-free-workshop Ironman2 Pasco accepting proposals for tourism-related projects The tax provided $850,000 in 2024, with roughly half of it going toward operation of the HAPO Center and Pasco Sporting Complex. The tax provided $850,000 in 2024, with roughly half of it going toward operation of the HAPO Center and Pasco Sporting Complex. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6484 Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pasco-accepting-proposals-for-tourism-related-projects HBA_HomwShowPast Benton County shares first look at new fairgrounds arena The project will use $12 million in local taxes and economic development funds to double the seating capacity to 6,000 of the facility among other improvements. The project will use $12 million in local taxes and economic development funds to double the seating capacity to 6,000 of the facility among other improvements. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6436 Tue, 24 Jun 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/first-look-at-new-fairgrounds-arena Fairgroundsarena2 Wildhorse announces $100M expansion plan The Pendleton casino and hotel operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is about to get bigger. The Pendleton casino and hotel operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is about to get bigger. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6313 Tue, 27 May 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wildhorse-announces-100m-expansion-plan Wildhorse-Expansion Officials celebrate construction on high-end Kennewick hotel rachel@tcjournal.biz The hotel was originally planned in 2018 alongside the expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center, said Vijay Patel, president of A-1 Hospitality and A-1 Pearl, at the event. But the Covid-19 pandemic stalled the project. The hotel was originally planned in 2018 alongside the expansion of the Three Rivers Convention Center, said Vijay Patel, president of A-1 Hospitality and A-1 Pearl, at the event. But the Covid-19 pandemic stalled the project.  

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6296 Wed, 21 May 2025 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/officials-celebrate-construction-on-high-end-kennewick-hotel A-1-AC-Marriott-groundbreaking Report: Tourism brings in $643.5M to Tri-Cities in 2024 Data indicates that an average of $1.76 million in tourism-related spending occurred daily last year and supported $1.1 billion in business spending. Data indicates that an average of $1.76 million in tourism-related spending occurred daily last year and supported $1.1 billion in business spending. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6222 Thu, 15 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6222 Water Follies boat race weekend Report: Tourism brings in $643.5M to Tri-Cities in 2024 Data indicates that an average of $1.76 million in tourism-related spending occurred daily last year and supported $1.1 billion in business spending. Data indicates that an average of $1.76 million in tourism-related spending occurred daily last year and supported $1.1 billion in business spending. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6223 Thu, 08 May 2025 16:13:24 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/report-tourism-brings-in-6435m-to-tri-cities-in-2024 Ironman2 New Ams owner reopens talk of replacing Toyota Center ty@tcjournal.biz Tri-City Americans’ new owner hopes a new venue for the team can be a part of a renaissance to attract more fans to games. Tri-City Americans’ new owner hopes a new venue for the team can be a part of a renaissance to attract more fans to games. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/6098 Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/new-ams-owner Americans-Toyota-Center Long-awaited convention center expansion to become a reality ty@tcjournal.biz March 22 marks the final game of the season for the Tri-City Americans but also the beginning of a transformation for the area around the Toyota Center and Three Rivers Convention Center. March 22 marks the final game of the season for the Tri-City Americans but also the beginning of a transformation for the area around the Toyota Center and Three Rivers Convention Center.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5940 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 12:25:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/convention-center-expansion ConventionCenterInterior Richland gym answers the call for more pickleball Richland’s biggest gym recently turned two outdoor clay tennis courts – first built in 1996 – into six hard court pickleball/tennis courts to accommodate the growing demand for pickleball. Other improvements also are in the works. Richland’s biggest gym recently turned two outdoor clay tennis courts – first built in 1996 – into six hard court pickleball/tennis courts to accommodate the growing demand for pickleball. Other improvements also are in the works.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5849 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5849-richland-gym-answers-the-call-for-more-pickleball CBRC-Pickleball Sporting events help to boost Tri-Cities tourism ty@tcjournal.biz Tourism and event planners are going all in on sports as the future of tourism in the Tri-Cities. Tourism and event planners are going all in on sports as the future of tourism in the Tri-Cities.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5843 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/2025-tri-cities-tourism Ironman2 WSU Tri-Cities sees dwindling interest in hospitality degree ty@tcjournal.biz The number of students seeking a hospitality business management degree at the Richland campus has seen a sharp decline. The number of students seeking a hospitality business management degree at the Richland campus has seen a sharp decline.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5834 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wsu-tri-cities-hospitality WSU-Hospitality New entertainment center will bring the fun to Pasco rachel@tcjournal.biz Knockerball Tri-Cities is launching KBTC Family Fun Zone in Pasco, featuring bumper cars, virtual reality simulators, arcade games, food, from grilled cheese to ice cream – and of course, knockerballs. Knockerball Tri-Cities is launching KBTC Family Fun Zone in Pasco, featuring bumper cars, virtual reality simulators, arcade games, food, from grilled cheese to ice cream – and of course, knockerballs.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5833 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5833-new-entertainment-center-will-bring-the-fun-to-pasco Knockerball A vision emerges for the HAPO Center, but who will be part of it? ty@tcjournal.biz The draft master plan for the Franklin County-owned HAPO Center recently laid out several recommendations for the roughly 100-acre area in west Pasco, which includes neighboring sports fields owned by the city of Pasco as well as Gesa Stadium, but there’s no clear path forward to make it a reality. The draft master plan for the Franklin County-owned HAPO Center recently laid out several recommendations for the roughly 100-acre area in west Pasco, which includes neighboring sports fields owned by the city of Pasco as well as Gesa Stadium, but there’s no clear path forward to make it a reality.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5830 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hapo-center-vision Hapocenter Hotel navigates renovation delays with open doors ty@tcjournal.biz The Clover Island Inn has sported a new look on its facade for several months but when it will complete its transformation into a Spark by Hilton property is unknown. The Clover Island Inn has sported a new look on its facade for several months but when it will complete its transformation into a Spark by Hilton property is unknown.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5827 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/clover-island-inn Clover-Island-Inn-Spark-by-Hilton The economics of empathy build stronger communities Supporting the arts supports the artist who will bring patrons to your community with benefits to local tourism spots and more. Supporting the arts supports the artist who will bring patrons to your community with benefits to local tourism spots and more.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/5823 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/darby-feb-2025 JoshDarby.jpg