Title
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board Program Contract - RFA PCC 26-0108 Request for Award (Ordinance S-53258) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau dba Visit Phoenix for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board (THAB) Program to provide tourism and hospitality initiatives for the Phoenix Convention Center Department (PCCD). Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The total value of the contract will not exceed $750,000.
Report
Summary
This contract will provide Visit Phoenix, in coordination with the City of Phoenix's THAB, funding to stimulate the local tourism and hospitality industry and assist in increasing activity at local hotels and businesses.
THAB is the City of Phoenix board that annually reviews and recommends projects and/or programs that enhance the City's tourism and hospitality industry. The 14-member board is comprised of eight hoteliers (one from each Council district), two at-large members from hospitality-related industries, two citywide representatives, one non-voting representative from City staff, and one non-voting member from Visit Phoenix. For FY 2026-27, $750,000 is appropriated for tourism and hospitality initiatives.
Visit Phoenix presented the proposed FY 2026-27 funding request and scope of work for consideration at the annual THAB meeting on September 28, 2026. In partnership with Visit Phoenix, the current funding proposal will help stimulate the local tourism and hospitality industry and assist in increasing activity at hotels and businesses in the local area. Under the proposal, Visit Phoenix will utilize THAB funds in the following areas to support the City's tourism and hospitality industry now and over the next several years:
- Convention Center Hosting Obligations ($330,000) - The groups identified in this request represent 25 meetings and conventions taking place at the Phoenix Convention Center (PCC) between December 2026 and September 2030. These conventions and events will draw an estimated 206,800 event participants and convention delegates to the PCC and downtown Phoenix. Additionally, these events will contact an estimated 185,735 room nights in downtown Phoenix hotels and other hotels throughout the City. The direct expenditures by these visitors, organizers, exhibitors, and convention delegates are estimated at more than $315.2 million. All combined, these events and the hosting obligation program will generate more than $950 in direct spending in the destination for every $1 invested.
- Phoenix Convention Center Promotion Support ($50,000) - Funds will be used for hosting support for new bookings contracted during FY 2026-27 or later and will complement contributions committed by downtown Phoenix hotels, the PCC, and Visit Phoenix. The combined funds will assist newly contracted groups with support in areas of Convention Center rental abatements, information technology and audio-visual costs, registration, transportation assistance, or other event hosting services. Visit Phoenix continues to focus efforts to attract and book citywide conventions to fill the traditionally slower summer period at the PCC and downtown Phoenix hotels.
- Phoenix Sports & Events Commission Support ($30,000) - Phoenix City Council approved the formation of the Phoenix Sports & Events Commission in June 2024. This new commission will operate as a department within Visit Phoenix and will proactively attract a diverse roster of sports and major events to Phoenix. During the June 2024 City Council meeting, the Council also established funding support for the new commission for a three-year period. As part of the approved agreement, $30,000 from THAB funds will be distributed to the Sports & Events Commission to support hosting commitments for targeted events. Visit Phoenix will update the board in future meetings as to the use and impact of these funds.
- Mega Event Sport Fund ($300,000) - Phoenix has become the premier destination to host the largest events in the country, like the Super Bowl, Men’s Final Four, professional All-Star Games, and more. These events typically include multiple ancillary events such as fan festivals at the PCC, business forums, concerts, and youth engagements. Previous mega events have received event hosting support from the Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board. These funds have remained separate from commitments made to the local organizing or host committees. The Funds must be spent in the City of Phoenix and have historically covered expenses like PCC rental, security, transportation programs, local promotion support, and City police officer overtime.
- ConferenceDirect (CD) Forum Client Event ($40,000) - Hosting ConferenceDirect’s CD Forum in Phoenix in December 2026 represents more than the immediate economic impact of the event-it is an opportunity to bring hundreds of influential meeting planners and industry decision-makers directly into our destination. Attendees will generate spending through hotels, restaurants, transportation, entertainment, and other local businesses, while the event itself will create measurable business for the PCC and Phoenix hotels. Visit Phoenix, the PCC, and downtown partners will host and sponsor the Thursday evening off-site dinner taking place at the PCC. Visit Phoenix will have the opportunity to collaborate with its member partners in designing this event. Additionally, Visit Phoenix will collaborate to design and deliver a facilitated focus group meeting with select CD associates and customers while they are in the destination.
Procurement Information
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10, standard competition was waived as a result of an approved Determination Memo based on the following reason: Special Circumstances Without Competition.
Due to its core mission, Visit Phoenix is uniquely qualified to deliver the scope of work and has been the sole destination marketing organization for the City of Phoenix since its inception in 1967. As such, during the 2018 annual meeting, the THAB requested that the PCCD evaluate options to provide a more streamlined process and allow for THAB to have greater input into the proposed funding and scope of work. PCCD worked with the City's Finance and Law departments on THAB's request, and the Request for Agreement procurement process was recommended.
Contract Term
The contract will begin on or about November 1, 2026, for a five-year term with no options to extend.
Financial Impact
The aggregate contract value will not exceed $750,000 for the five-year aggregate term.
Funding is available in the Sports Facilities Fund, which is the hospitality industry's share of the special excise taxes on hotel/motel lodging and rental cars.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Tourism & Hospitality Advisory Board recommended approval of this item on September 28, 2026, by a vote of 9-0.
The City Council approved the formation of the Phoenix Sports and Events Commission (Ordinance S-51108) on June 26, 2024.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Cynthia Aguilar and the Phoenix Convention Center Department.