Spokane Public Facilities District

What Spokane Public Facilities District does

The Spokane Public Facilities District is a municipal corporation and independent taxing authority created by the Washington State Legislature in 1989 under RCW 36.100, with boundaries coextensive with Spokane County, Washington. It operates a portfolio of public assembly facilities: Numerica Veterans Arena (a 12,000+-seat multi-purpose venue opened in 1995), the Spokane Convention Center (with adjacent 714-room Spokane Grand Hotel and over 700 parking spaces), the INB Performing Arts Center (formerly Spokane Opera House), the First Interstate Center for the Arts, the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, and CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point. The District's core purpose is to acquire, construct, own and operate sports, entertainment, and convention facilities for the Inland Northwest region.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid of voter-approved public taxes and event-driven commercial activity. The tax base consists of a 2% hotel/motel room tax on properties of 40 or more units (effective January 1, 1992) and a 0.1% sales/use tax authorized by Spokane County voters in September 1991, both of which have been extended to fund capital programs. Commercial revenue streams include ticket sales, premium seating and suites (marketed by Brett Sports Entertainment), food and beverage (operated under an exclusive partnership with Centerplate), parking, and naming rights — most recently a Numerica Credit Union deal that renamed the Arena and launched the Numerica Heroes Fund committing at least $1 million over a decade to veteran programs.

The District serves event attendees, convention and meeting planners, sports teams and entertainment promoters, and the regional community. Major tenants include the Spokane Chiefs under a 15-year prime-tenant agreement and Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball, while NCAA championships (2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014), concerts, NBA/NHL exhibition games, and trade shows fill out the event calendar. The Convention Center alone is reported to generate over $170 million in annual regional economic activity and more than 1,400 full and part-time jobs. Leadership is headed by CEO Stephanie Curran (per the 2025-11-07 Numerica logo unveiling release), with a board chaired by Mick McDowell.

Name

Spokane Public Facilities District

Legal name

Spokane Public Facilities District

Website

https://spokanepfd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Spokane Public Facilities District is a Washington State municipal corporation operating public assembly facilities — a 12,000+-seat arena, convention center, two performing arts venues, and regional fair/expo centers — serving event attendees, convention planners, sports tenants and the Spokane County community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Assembly Facilities / Venue Management

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE), Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Public assembly facilities
• Arena venue operations
• Convention center hosting
• Performing arts venue
• Event venue management

Headquarters

HQ city

Spokane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Naming Rights: Naming rights agreement with Numerica Credit Union for Numerica Veterans Arena. The Numerica Heroes Fund provides at least $1 million over the next decade to support military programs.
2. Hotel/Motel Tax: Two percent hotel/motel room tax on properties of 40 or more units, imposed January 1, 1992. One-tenth of one percent sales tax measure approved by Spokane County voters in September 1991.
3. Ticket Sales and Event Revenue: Revenue from ticket sales for Arena events including Spokane Chiefs hockey, concerts, NBA/NHL exhibition games, and NCAA tournaments. Suite sales and club memberships also generate revenue.
4. Food and Beverage: Food and beverage operations at venues including NW Grille (now Dry Fly) and concessions through Centerplate, the District's exclusive food and beverage provider.
5. Parking Revenue: Parking facilities adjacent to venues including over 700 parking spaces near the Convention Center. Surface parking facility developed on South Block property.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Spokane Public Facilities District owns and operates six public assembly facilities in Spokane County, including Numerica Veterans Arena, Spokane Convention Center, INB Performing Arts Center, First Interstate Center for the Arts, Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, and CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point. The District hosts sporting events, concerts, conventions, trade shows, performing arts programs, and community gatherings, and acts as a venue operator and landlord for prime tenants and touring productions.

Product overview

Spokane Public Facilities District operates a portfolio of public assembly facilities across the Spokane region. The core offerings consist of four primary venues: Numerica Veterans Arena (a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena), Spokane Convention Center (exhibition and meeting facilities), INB Performing Arts Center (theater and cultural performances), and First Interstate Center for the Arts. Supporting facilities include the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center and CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point. The District has undertaken major expansion projects including the Convention Center Completion Project adding exhibit space and restoring the Spokane River shoreline. Revenue-generating operations include food and beverage services (through partnership with Centerplate), premium seating/suite programs, and naming rights agreements. The venues host diverse events ranging from NCAA basketball championships to concerts and community gatherings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Numerica Veterans Arena Large-capacity indoor arena operated by the District, hosting Spokane Chiefs hockey, concerts, family shows, and touring entertainment productions for the Spokane region.
• Spokane Convention Center Multi-purpose convention facility with exhibit halls, ballrooms, and meeting rooms used for trade shows, conventions, and corporate events.
• INB Performing Arts Center Performing arts theater hosting symphony performances, theater productions, and cultural programming for the Spokane community.
• First Interstate Center for the Arts Performing arts venue operated by the District for theatrical productions, cultural events, and community performances.
• Spokane County Fair and Expo Center Outdoor fair and expo facility hosting the Spokane County Fair, agricultural events, and large outdoor community gatherings.
• CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point Event center in the Spokane Valley area operated by the District for community events, meetings, and small gatherings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $170 million in annual economic activity generated by Convention Center alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major and core.

• Numerica Credit UnionflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 November 2025Naming rights partner for Numerica Veterans Arena. The partnership includes the Numerica Heroes Fund providing at least $1 million over the next decade to support military programs, with guidance from Spokane County Regional Veteran Services and Spokane County Veterans Advisory Board. The first grant of $50,000 was awarded to Volunteers of America for veteran housing.
• Worthy GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013South Block property transferred to Worthy Group to develop the Spokane Grand Hotel – part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott. The 714-room hotel opened in 2015, adjacent to the Convention Center.
• Inland Northwest BankmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2006Naming rights agreement signed for Spokane Opera House, renamed INB Performing Arts Center. Since 2003, District invested heavily in INB with projects including new seats, rigging system upgrade, new sound system, new chillers, paint, carpet, elevators, marquee, and site work.
• Hoffman/BoutencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2003Selected as General Contractor/Construction Manager for Convention Center Expansion project using GC/CM delivery method.
• Spokane Convention and Visitors BureaucoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2003Regional Projects Sales and Marketing Committees met regularly with the CVB to develop effective business retention plan, coordinate sales objectives, and develop relationship structure for convention center marketing and sales.
• Spokane ChiefscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 199315-year agreement executed with Spokane Chiefs as prime tenant of the Arena. Spokane Chiefs are the primary sports tenant hosting hockey games and community events at the venue.
• Brett Sports EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1993BSE took on significant role in Arena's marketing efforts to sell suites, advertising sponsorships and club memberships. 12 suites were offered and sold quickly through this partnership.
• Garco ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 1993Selected as general contractor for site work package (footings, foundations, sewer and water lines, sidewalks) and later low bidder for general construction contract. Also selected in 2013 for Convention Center Completion Project (Garco/ALSC/LMN team).
• CenterplatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Exclusive food and beverage provider for the District. Partial funding provided for NW Grille (now Dry Fly) food and beverage facility and new VIP entry at NW corner of Arena.
• ALSC Architects / Ellerbe Becket ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990ALSC Architects of Spokane selected as lead architect in conjunction with Ellerbe Becket Architects of Kansas City, Missouri for Spokane Arena design. Later, LMN/Integrus partnership for Convention Center Expansion design.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ASM Global: Largest global venue management company, manages hundreds of convention centers, arenas, and performing arts venues. Directly comparable as a venue-operating counterpart, though ASM Global is a private management firm rather than an owner-authority.
• AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group): Operates and develops arenas, theaters, and convention facilities worldwide. Comparable as a broad incumbent that owns/operates large public assembly venues competing for the same touring acts and major events the District books.
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA): Regional public authority operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and supporting event venues. Comparable public-authority model for owning and marketing a major convention center, though at a meaningfully larger scale than the District.

Regional players

• Tacoma Venues & Events: Operates the Tacoma Dome, Greater Tacoma Convention Center, and Pantages Theater — a Washington-state municipal venue operator with a directly comparable portfolio of arena, convention, and theater facilities.
• Boise Centre: Idaho's largest public convention facility, also hosting arena-adjacent sports and entertainment events. Comparable regional competitor for inland-Northwest convention and event demand.

Direct peers

• Oregon Convention Center: Portland-area convention and exhibition facility operated by Metro regional government. Directly comparable regional public convention center competing for Pacific Northwest meetings, conventions, and trade shows.
• Washington State Convention Center: Seattle's public convention center (with Summit expansion adding hotel-adjacent meeting space). Comparable public convention facility competing with the District for regional and national convention bookings.
• Houston First Corporation: Municipal corporation operating Houston's convention, performing arts, and parking facilities. Closely comparable governance and operating model — a publicly-authorized venue operator managing a diversified event facility portfolio.
• Greater Columbus Convention Center: Mid-size public convention facility competing for association meetings and trade shows. Comparable scale, public-ownership structure, and event-driven revenue model.
• Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC): Portland Metro's venue operator running the Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center. Comparable public-authority venue operator in the Pacific Northwest competing for the same convention and trade show market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spokane-public-facilites-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spokane Public Facilities District