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Annual Report 2018 ANNUAL REPORT WASHINGTON STATE CONVENTION CENTER PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT January 1 – December 31, 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION A MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON STATE GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ................ 3 OUR MISSION A MESSAGE FROM KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE DOW CONSTANTINE .......... 4 Through the A MESSAGE FROM SEATTLE DEPUTY MAYOR DAVID MOSELEY ..................... 5 professional actions THE STATE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER ................................................................... 6 of our staff, we will DELIVERING ON THE ECONOMIC MISSION provide our guests OPERATIONS AT A GLANCE ................................................................................................... 8 with a distinctive level EXCELLENCE IN OPERATIONS.............................................................................................. 9 of service excellence EVENTS AS ECONOMIC GENERATORS ..........................................................................10 while maintaining a ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM WSCC EVENTS .............................................................11 fiscally responsible, CELEBRATING WSCC self-sustaining WSCC 30TH ANNIVERSARY.....................................................................................................12 operation that SUMMIT GROUNDBREAKING .............................................................................................14 contributes economic DELIVERING ON THE CIVIC MISSION and other civic COMMUNITY INVESTMENT .................................................................................................16 benefits for the people A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY ...........................................................................................18 of the city, county and ART EXHIBITIONS .......................................................................................................................19 Washington State. CONVENTION CENTER MANAGEMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS ...........................................................................................................20 EXECUTIVE STAFF ......................................................................................................................21 Project Manager: Megan Dimotakis Graphic Designer: Colleen O’Brien Editor: Loni Syltebo Photo Credits: Alan Albastro, James Frederick Housel, LMN Architects, John Lok, Visit Seattle www.wscc.com 2 INTRODUCTION A MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON STATE GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE Washington State consistently ranks as one As the Convention Center broke ground on of the best places to work and do business. their Addition facility in 2018, they continued Washington was just named the #1 state in the their dedication to sustainability by looking for nation by U.S. News & World Report. Leading ways to ensure their teams are utilizing the latest the nation in minimum wage, paid family and green technologies and recycled materials in medical leave for all workers, and a strongest the construction of their new building. This new clean energy legislation in the nation – we are project will not only bring in hundreds of millions proud to provide the benefits our citizens need in additional visitor spending, along with short- to propel Washington’s economy forward. term and long-term job growth, it will also serve as an example of what thoughtful engineering As governor, I am always looking for new ways can create. to expand the state’s economy, fuel job growth, and enrich the lives of Washington residents. You On behalf of the people of the state of can see this goal being realized in downtown Washington, I congratulate the board of directors Seattle. Over 410,000 visitors passed through and staff of the Washington State Convention Seattle as they attended meetings and events Center Public Facilities District for another at the Washington State Convention Center in successful year. Please accept my best wishes for 2018. These visitors spur industry job growth and continued success in the years ahead. serve as a crucial revenue source for Washington. Out-of-state convention attendees alone spent $438.4 million within our state, generating $34 Sincerely, million in sales tax revenue. Visitors travel from around the world to experience the vibrancy of downtown Seattle, Jay Inslee hike our mountain ranges, explore our scenic Washington State Governor waterways, and experience all the natural beauty that Washington has to offer. It is our job to protect and sustain the natural beauty. 3 INTRODUCTION A MESSAGE FROM KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE DOW CONSTANTINE King County is rapidly changing, providing new The Convention Center is playing a key role economic opportunities for its residents and in this transforming region. This August, I was our local business community. Over the past proud to join the WSCC Board in celebrating decade, we have been recognized as one of with civic, community, and union partners at the the country’s fastest-growing regions, and 2018 groundbreaking for the future Summit building. continued that trend. In the past year alone, Work is underway, and will generate 6,000 new King County saw nearly $10 billion in new jobs during the building’s construction, followed construction as downtown Seattle moves into by an additional 2,300 permanent hospitality- a new era of expansion. related jobs after completion. As the county grows, it is crucial that we On behalf of the residents of King County and maintain and strengthen the partnerships the entire metropolitan region, I congratulate the between our local businesses, governments, board of directors and staff of the Washington and community groups to tackle the challenges State Convention Center on the completion of facing our region. This year we have worked yet another successful year. to reduce congestion and lessen the environmental impacts of commuter traffic through expanded public transit, which led Sincerely, to King County Metro being named the best large transit system in North America. We took action to protect 65,000 acres of our county’s forest, farmlands, and shoreline while providing Dow Constantine residents transit-to-trail service to help them King County Executive better access these cherished regions. Working together, we are providing opportunities for all, while maintaining the rich fabric of our diverse, vibrant neighborhoods. 4 INTRODUCTION A MESSAGE FROM SEATTLE DEPUTY MAYOR DAVID MOSELEY Over the past 18 months, we have worked to The Addition project will also have an impact deliver on Mayor Jenny Durkan’s vision for our on Seattle through a $93 million community downtown: a more vibrant, connected place for all investment from the Convention Center. This who call Seattle home. investment includes $30 million that will go directly toward our efforts to create more housing To help manage congestion and keep people option for residents. These investments will and goods moving, we invested more in transit also drive key City of Seattle projects, including options. To help reconnect our downtown with bicycle and pedestrian path improvements, the the Puget Sound, together we endured the three- enhancement of parks and open spaces, and week closure of SR 99 and began taking down support for the Lid I-5 study. the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and creating a new “Waterfront for All.” We reached an agreement Since the Seattle City Council approved this for a new, world-class arena at Seattle Center. We package in May 2018, more than $42 million welcomed the creation of dozens of new world- has already been conveyed to the relevant class buildings that will bring job opportunities to organizations and government agencies and our neighbors and communities. is being allocated to meet the needs of Seattle communities. Together, these improvements will transform Seattle in ways we cannot yet imagine. With the help of strong civic-minded partners like the Washington State Convention Center, The groundbreaking of the Convention Center’s we know that the City can realize our vision for a Addition project was yet another remarkable more vibrant and accessible downtown. Thank step to realizing this vision for a more vibrant you to the Center’s Board of Directors and staff and connected downtown Seattle. The Addition for helping to create a better Seattle for the next Project will have a profound impact on the Greater generation. Seattle region and our economy; business owners will see significant increase in customers. Hotels and restaurants will welcome new guests and Sincerely, diners. Museums and performing arts spaces will greet new patrons. And Seattle will have a new architectural and civic treasure. David Moseley Deputy Mayor for Operations 5 INTRODUCTION THE STATE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER To those who have followed the Washington Dow Constantine and Seattle City Mayor Jenny State Convention Center, we are delighted to Durkan earnestly supporting our mission and report that 2018 was an exceptional year with welcome the expertise of their exemplary the Center celebrating the 30th anniversary appointed individuals on our nine-member of its grand opening in 1988. This year was board of directors. marked with solid results having maintained a strong and profitable business pace, positive This year we welcomed the board of director year-end financials, and having achieved our term renewals through July 2022 for Deryl operating goals. Brown-Archie, Frank Finneran, Robert Flowers, Nicole Grant, and Jerry Hillis. The public sets In its 30th year of operations, the Center also high standards for our board and their stable
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