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The Kirkland Tourism Development Committee (TDC) has extended the application deadline for the 2026 Explore Kirkland tourism grant program. Event organizers now have until Monday, August 18, 2025, at noon to apply for funding to help bring their tourism-focused ideas to life.
The Explore Kirkland Tourism Program provides marketing and operations funding for programs such as special events and festivals that can attract visitors from over 50 miles away and generate overnight stays. These events help showcase the city’s best assets, foster a love of Kirkland, and inspire guests to return.
Past recipients include the Junior League Softball World Series, Kirkland Summerfest, Kirkland Uncorked, Kirkland Oktoberfest, and the Lake Washington Half Marathon.
The program is funded by the lodging tax collected by Kirkland hotels, motels, and short-term rentals allowing the tourism industry to share in both the costs and benefits of tourism promotion. For 2026, the TDC has identified approximately $60,000 in program grants and prioritizes events that create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community.
Event organizers can learn more about eligibility, review funding criteria, and apply online at the City’s Tourism Funding webpage. Applications must be submitted by 12 p.m. noon, August 18, 2025. Questions may be sent to Tourism Program staff at tourism@kirklandwa.gov.
When: 2nd Wednesday of the Month, from 11 AM to 2 PM
Where: Kirkland City Hall
Who: All are welcome! We have a quiet space and an option for business advising
Join us for the entire time or pop in at the times that work best for you. Instead of working from your house, office, or local coffee shop, join us at City Hall!
Need some one-on-one assistance? Sign up below!
Business Advising 1:1 Sign Up with Shawn Palmer
Business Advising 1:1 Marketing, Branding, Strategy with Jonathan Blanco
Why: Created specifically and exclusively for entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners in the beautiful city of Kirkland. Startup and Small Business Co-Working is designed to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and provide valuable resources to help you thrive in your entrepreneurial journey along with fellow entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners.
Hosted by the City of Kirkland, Startup425, and OneEastside. Learn more here.
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The Greater Seattle Export Accelerator, or GSEA, collaborates with community, state, and federal trade organizations to provide advanced export training, export advising, and access to international markets. Designed for small and medium-sized businesses in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, GSEA empowers companies to expand their global reach.
By providing the tools and resources to grow exports, we help businesses increase profits, diversify risk, and create new job opportunities, fueling economic growth across the region.
Learn more here.
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Celebrate your impact! The King County Executive’s Small Business Awards honor outstanding small businesses that fuel our local economy, create jobs, strengthen our communities, and exemplify King County's values.
If your business is making a difference, we want to hear from you. Submit your application today and be recognized among the best in King County.
- Application Closing Date: August 10, 2025
- Notification of Application Status: on or before August 31, 2025
- Awards Celebration and Announcement of Winners: October 1, 2025, 3 to 6pm at Washington State Convention Center Summit Building
Categories
- Small Business of the Year
- Exporting Small Business of the Year
- Rural Small Business of the Year
- Workforce Development Small Business of the Year
- Women-Owned Small Business of the Year
- Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year
- Green/Sustainable Small Business of the Year
- Creative Economy Small Business of the Year
Check out qualifications, apply, and more here.
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Engaging the community can be an important part of establishing a business. One way to engage is to participate or sponsor events. Here are a few larger events coming to Kirkland through the end of the year:
- City Hall for All - September 13
- Harvest Festival - October 4
- Umbrella Fringe - October 3, 4, and 5
- Winterfest - November 29
Want to keep up with all events happening in Kirkland? Sign up for the Events Guide sent monthly here.
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While doing business in Kirkland, you may occasionally be impacted by construction projects. Keep up-to-date on projects as they are planned and happen by visiting the City of Kirkland's construction project webpage using this link.
Highlighted Projects
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As a licensed business located in Kirkland, you have been added to this special Kirkland Business/Nonprofit Resources list to receive communication about important business-related resources and information. This single-use email list is entirely optional and you may unsubscribe instantly by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. All of our lists are governed by our Privacy Policy and email addresses on this list may become subject to public disclosure. If you have any questions or concerns about this list, please don't reply to this message. Instead please contact: Christian Switzer, Special Projects Coordinator, City of Kirkland at cswitzer@kirklandwa.gov
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