Hospitality & Meetings

Low demand prompts WSU Tri-Cities to drop two degree programs

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

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.

Banquet-Meeting Facilities

nathan@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 09:00:36 -0500

Lower drunk driving limit approved by WA Senate

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500

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.

Richland restaurant closing this month

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

Less than a year after opening, a Richland restaurant will be closing its doors.

Another major golf project tees up in the Tri-Cities

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

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.

Manhattan Project park pumps tourism dollars into Tri-Cities

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Heads up: Plan for Ironman event traffic impacts

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Help wanted: Lots of Ironman volunteers for race day

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

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.

BMX event to bring visitors, pump dollars into region

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Master customer service techniques at free workshop

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Pasco accepting proposals for tourism-related projects

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:00:00 -0400

The tax provided $850,000 in 2024, with roughly half of it going toward operation of the HAPO Center and Pasco Sporting Complex.

Benton County shares first look at new fairgrounds arena

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Wildhorse announces $100M expansion plan

Tue, 27 May 2025 21:00:00 -0400

The Pendleton casino and hotel operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is about to get bigger.

Officials celebrate construction on high-end Kennewick hotel

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 21 May 2025 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Report: Tourism brings in $643.5M to Tri-Cities in 2024

Thu, 15 May 2025 12:00:00 -0400

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.

Report: Tourism brings in $643.5M to Tri-Cities in 2024

Thu, 08 May 2025 16:13:24 -0400

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.

New Ams owner reopens talk of replacing Toyota Center

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0400

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.

Long-awaited convention center expansion to become a reality

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 12:25:00 -0400

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.

Richland gym answers the call for more pickleball

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

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.

Sporting events help to boost Tri-Cities tourism

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Tourism and event planners are going all in on sports as the future of tourism in the Tri-Cities.

WSU Tri-Cities sees dwindling interest in hospitality degree

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

The number of students seeking a hospitality business management degree at the Richland campus has seen a sharp decline.

New entertainment center will bring the fun to Pasco

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

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.

A vision emerges for the HAPO Center, but who will be part of it?

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

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.

Hotel navigates renovation delays with open doors

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

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 economics of empathy build stronger communities

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Supporting the arts supports the artist who will bring patrons to your community with benefits to local tourism spots and more.

Washington could require bars to carry spiked drink drug tests

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:05:33 -0500

The measure would require some establishments selling alcohol, including bars and nightclubs, to have testing kits on hand so patrons can see if their drinks have been drugged. Sponsors amended the bill recently in light of concerns of overreach lodged by a hospitality trade group.

James Beard award semifinalists named in Seattle, Portland, Boise

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:22:42 -0500

The James Beard Foundation has announced the semifinalists for its annual awards celebrating the top restaurants and bars, including many in the Pacific Northwest.

Lawmakers again trying to lower legal alcohol limit for drivers in Washington

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 13:52:27 -0500

If passed, Washington would join Utah as the only state with a 0.05% blood alcohol concentration limit. Other states have considered similar legislation, but haven’t passed it. Opponents argue the legislation, Senate Bill 5067, would elevate the liability risk for bars and other establishments that sell alcohol.

Indoor pickleball club is flying into the Tri-Cities

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:32:02 -0500

An indoor pickleball facility is coming to the Badger Canyon area.

Fairchild Cinemas adding premium amenities to Pasco theater

ty@tcjournal.biz — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:00:57 -0500

Going to the movies soon will be more than just seeing a movie at Fairchild Cinemas’ theater on Road 68 in Pasco.