WA State Delegation – Chester Baldwin, Kenneth Katzaroff, Alesha Shemwell (WR Interim CEO), Christian Decker, Rep. Michael Baumgartner, Stephen Pohl, Jim Hill (ICSC)
ICSC’s Federal Fly-In was held April 20–22, 2026, in Washington DC, bringing together members of the marketplace and retail real estate industry for three days of policy engagement on Capitol Hill. The program gave participants opportunities to meet directly with congressional offices, attend legislative briefings, and participate in committee discussions focused on industry priorities.
Alesha Shemwell, Interim CEO of WR, attended alongside other industry leaders to advocate for policies that support retail, marketplaces, and the communities they serve. For Washington state, the industry’s impact is significant: in 2024, Washington had 2,318 marketplaces, 37,011 marketplace tenants, a 96.7% occupancy rate, and 678,593 jobs tied to the sector, representing 13.8% of total jobs statewide. Marketplaces in Washington also generated $174.7 billion in sales, equal to 20.4% of state GDP, along with $11.4 billion in state sales taxes, $655.2 million in property taxes, and $620 million in construction and redevelopment spending. The data also underscores the importance of small businesses, which make up 70% of shopping center tenants.
Delegates engaged federal policymakers on issues affecting the retail and marketplace sector, including economic competitiveness, tax and regulatory impacts, commercial development, and public safety concerns such as organized retail crime. Conversations also included asking for support of CORCA, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve retail crime coordination, prevention strategies, and information sharing among public- and private-sector partners at the federal level.
The Washington data provided a clear backdrop for these discussions, illustrating how marketplace activity supports jobs and local economies across every congressional district. In 2024, Washington’s 10 congressional districts each reflected substantial marketplace employment, including 89,133 jobs in District 5, 76,747 jobs in District 2, 75,343 jobs in District 7, and 71,984 jobs in District 10. District-level data also showed billions in sales-tax activity and millions in property-tax contributions, reinforcing the importance of retail real estate to both state and local government revenues.
Additional sessions explored environmental policy considerations, economic development trends, and the role of marketplaces in strengthening community vitality. Attendees participated in structured Capitol Hill meetings that emphasized the value of direct advocacy and relationship-building with federal decision makers. The Fly-In concluded with continued dialogue between industry representatives and congressional staff, centered on shared priorities: strengthening local economies, improving safety, supporting small businesses, and advancing sustainable growth across the retail and commercial real estate landscape.
