Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Meeting: March 11, 2026

The City of Vancouver's Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met on March 11, 2026, to discuss updates and refinements to their grant program guidelines and contracting status related to the expenditure of lodging tax funds. The committee reviewed the status of contracts, noting that all but one contract had been issued, pending updated budgets from applicants. A significant portion of the meeting focused on evaluating and potentially revising program requirements, including eligibility criteria, financial commitments from applicants, event location restrictions, and spending timelines. The committee considered maintaining flexibility for events occurring outside city limits, especially those with dedicated hotel room blocks, and discussed the importance of aligning grant awards with the city’s strategic and tourism master plans. They also deliberated on grant caps, minimums, and term limits to balance supporting recurring events while encouraging new applicants. The committee planned further workshops and panels to finalize standards and criteria, aiming to approve updated guidelines by May or June 2026 to inform the next grant cycle starting in August. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were made during this meeting, but the discussions set the stage for future procurement and funding decisions related to tourism and event promotion in Vancouver.