EDITOR’S NOTESouth King Media Founder/Publisher Scott Schaefer serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce.

The Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2025 Airport Luncheon on Jan. 23, 2025, marking a milestone celebration for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

The sold-out event, held in partnership with the Port of Seattle, Alaska Airlines, and Explore Seattle Southside, brought together business leaders, elected officials, and aviation professionals to discuss the airport’s future, industry trends, and economic impact on the region.

Aviation Growth & Sea-Tac’s Economic Impact

Arif Ghouse, COO of the Port of Seattle, gave a keynote presentation, highlighting the airport’s rapid growth and its role in the local economy.

“We don’t get to be busy on our own,” Ghouse said. “We’re a busy airport because of what the community is asking for. The demand is created by the people living in the region.”

Ghouse noted that in 2024, SEA served approximately 52 million passengers, ranking as the 11th busiest airport in North America. He emphasized the airport’s $22.5 billion annual economic impact and its connections to 93 domestic and 38 international destinations.

However, limited land space poses a challenge for expansion.

“We really are landlocked. There’s no room to expand outward,” he explained, noting that future airport growth will require vertical expansion and operational efficiency.

Infrastructure & Expansion Projects

With an eye toward the future, Ghouse outlined key airport improvement projects, including:

  • The SEA Gateway Project – A modernized North End ticketing lobby in partnership with Alaska Airlines, scheduled for completion in 2026.
  • New security checkpoints – Including an additional checkpoint in the arrivals hall to reduce wait times.
  • A second terminal proposal – Part of the Sustainable Airport Master Plan, which could add 19 additional aircraft gates.

“We’re aiming to be a five-star airport,” Ghouse said, referencing SEA’s ambition to enhance customer service and accessibility.

The SEA Sloth: A Love Story Unearthed

A unique historical moment was highlighted at the luncheon – the discovery of a 13,000-year-old giant sloth fossil at SEA Airport in 1961. Devlin Donnelly, Manager of Creative Services at the Port of Seattle, shared the story (watch it at the 34:47 mark in the video below), including the touching connection between the fossil’s discoverer, Gordon Simmons, and his wife.

“The greatest discovery I ever made was on Valentine’s Day 1956,” Simmons once said. “That’s when I met your mother.”

The sloth fossil, nicknamed “Gordy” by some, remains a symbol of SEA’s history with the original on display at The Burke Museum and a reproduction at Burien’s Highline Heritage Museum.

Hospitality & Tourism Outlook

A panel discussion on hospitality and tourism was emceed by Anthony Anton, CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, who highlighted the challenges facing restaurants and hotels in a post-pandemic economy.

“2025 is going to be a year where the industry has to reinvent itself,” Anton said. He emphasized the need for revenue growth, operational changes, and increased tourism to sustain small businesses.

Panelists also discussed the economic impact of Seattle’s cruise industry, which is expected to set a new record with 298 cruise calls in 2025. 

Alaska Airlines reaffirmed its commitment to regional tourism, announcing new direct flights to Tokyo and Seoul as part of its expansion strategy.

Seattle Prepares for FIFA 2026

Excitement is building for FIFA 2026, as Seattle is set to host six World Cup matches. Tourism officials expect a major influx of international visitors, with hotels and airports preparing for increased demand.

“The entire West Coast is fired up for FIFA,” said Mark Everton, CEO of Explore Seattle Southside.

Honoring Hospitality Heroes

The event concluded with the recognition of Explore Seattle Southside’s 2024 Hospitality Heroes (at 1:19:00 in the video), honoring individuals in hotels, restaurants, and airport services who go above and beyond to make the region welcoming for visitors.

Video

Below is video of the event, as filmed/edited by Scott Schaefer (total running time ~1-hour, 29-minutes):

Video links:

  • 00:00: Intro with Samantha Le
  • 00:54: Sponsors
  • 01:39: Arif Ghouse, COO, Port of Seattle
  • 23:38: Q&A
  • 31:12: Devlin Donnelly, Manager of Creative Services, Port of Seattle
  • 34:47: “Elevated” video story on the Sea-Tac Airport sloth
  • 43:53: Anthony Anton, CEO, Washington Hospitality Association
  • 53:51: Panel Discussion on Hospitality
  • 1:18:59: Explore Seattle Southside’s “Hospitality Heroes”
  • 1:28:57: Mark Everton Closing