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August 19, 2026
PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — Kitsap County has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to establish a Designated Marketing Organization (DMO) dedicated to Kitsap County. The County will accept proposals from qualified organizations until Wednesday, September 9 at 2 p.m.
The mission of the DMO will be to foster sustainable tourism and economic growth while honoring and preserving the County’s natural beauty, maritime heritage, Indigenous cultures, and small-town character. The DMO will be expected to operate with a tourism‑business mindset and to function as an independent, legally recognized nonprofit organization, setting and managing its own strategic direction, governance, and operational structure in compliance with RCW requirements.
Kitsap County is pursuing the formation of a DMO to ensure a unified, coordinated approach to tourism promotion and destination stewardship. Establishing a single, countywide organization will allow Kitsap County to consolidate branding and messaging under one professional entity, creating consistency across marketing materials, visitor information, and promotional campaigns. A unified brand strategy will also strengthen the County’s presence and representation with Washington Tourism at the state level, ensuring Kitsap’s assets, communities, and visitor experiences are effectively showcased in statewide initiatives.
Centralizing destination marketing within one organization will further enhance efficiency and improve the return on investment of lodging tax dollars. By reducing duplication of efforts, streamlining decision‑making, and aligning all tourism-related strategies and activities, the County can ensure public funds are invested in high‑impact programs that generate measurable economic benefits.
The selected DMO shall apply annually for its allocation of the Stadium Funds and may apply for additional funding above the annual allocation consistent with RCW 67.28.1816, shall participate in the County’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) process as outlined in RCW 67.28.1817, and shall collaborate with community partners to promote tourism activities, programs, and events throughout Kitsap County and beyond.
Interested firms may view the complete Request for Proposals and submission requirements on the Kitsap County Purchasing website:
https://www.kitsap.gov/das/Pages/Online-Bids.aspx
The RFP will close on Wednesday, September 9 at 2 p.m. Following the submission deadline, proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined in the solicitation.
Questions? Contact Kitsap County Purchasing at purchasing@kitsap.gov
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