Visit Bellevue welcomed hospitality leaders, elected officials, community partners, and industry stakeholders on Monday, February 23, 2026, for its 2026 Annual Celebration & Destination Awards, an energizing afternoon themed “Savoring Growth & Welcoming Tomorrow.”
“Bellevue continues to evolve with remarkable momentum across our visitor economy, from new hospitality investments to world-class culinary and arts experiences that reflect the spirit of our community,” said Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue. “As we look ahead, our focus remains on strengthening partnerships, elevating Bellevue’s global profile, and ensuring that growth benefits residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The future of our destination has never been more promising.”
The luncheon event, emceed by sports broadcaster Jen Mueller, celebrated a record-setting year for Bellevue’s visitor economy and featured opening remarks from Bellevue Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis.
The afternoon featured a three-course lunch prepared by Bellevue chefs Cindy Gayte of Thai Kitchen Bird Pepper, Chef Kaoru Chang of La Mar Cocina Peruana, and Julien Hervet of L’Experience Paris, reinforcing culinary tourism as a growing pillar of Bellevue’s destination strategy.
Guests also enjoyed a special performance preview from Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO, marking the production’s milestone return to the region.
A Record Setting Year for Bellevue
In 2025, Bellevue welcomed 2.2 million overnight visitors who generated $760 million in overnight spending, contributing to a total economic impact of $2.3 billion. The visitor economy now supports 14,500 hospitality jobs and generates $142 million in state and local taxes, reducing the annual tax burden by more than $1,400 per Bellevue household.
The organization also shared highlights from across its strategic pillars:
- 71,246 contracted room nights secured by the Destination Sales team
- 970 million marketing impressions generated
- 252 % year over year growth in website traffic
- $11.6 million in earned media value across 407 placements
- 87,600 BellHop passengers served in 2025
- $4.48 million in economic impact generated by seven events funded through the Festivals & Events Incubator Program
Savoring Growth, Welcoming Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Visit Bellevue announced several key initiatives launching in 2026:
- Website Relaunch: A fully redesigned VisitBellevue.com destination website under the new brand is scheduled for launch in June
- Overseas Marketing: International marketing will expand to South Korea as the next priority growth market
- Cruise Transportation: A new Bellevue Cruise Shuttle is underway to capture pre and post cruise visitation this year
- World Cup Ready: Activation plans tied to Bellevue’s role as a premier basecamp city for the 2026 Seattle World Cup, including light rail station activations and special hotel packages offering a Bellevue Collection gift card and complimentary airport transportation from Bellevue Airport Shuttle
- Bellevue Cares: Launch of Bellevue Cares, a destination give back program connecting meetings and events to local nonprofits
- Accessibility Program: Continued expansion of accessibility initiatives through its partnership with Wheel the World
Visit Bellevue also celebrated infrastructure milestones as Bellevue’s regional accessibility continues to strengthen with the upcoming Crosslake Light Rail connection and the EasTrail connector.
Honoring Excellence Across the Industry
The Bellevue Destination Awards recognized outstanding contributions across the hospitality and tourism community:
- Convention of the Year: The Compassionate Friends
- Best Marketing Campaign or Promotion: “The Radiant Table” by SE Productions
- Event of the Year: Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink
- CTA of the Year: Myrna Bendanillo
- Rising Star: Pam Sirkhandha, Hilton Garden Inn Bellevue
- Outstanding Individuals: Kristi Kosmata and Cindi Breen
- Business of the Year: La Mar Bellevue
For more information, please see Visit Bellevue’s 2025 Annual Report and stay tuned for more in our Newsroom.
