Pullman businesses look to events like Mom’s Weekend to boost their revenue every year.

“It increases our overall sales traffic significantly,” said Chris Nash, the general manager of Zeppoz, a bowling alley and casino on Bishop Boulevard. “It also increases foot traffic through the door quite a bit.”

Nash, also a partner in the business, said Zeppoz receives about 10 percent more traffic during the weekend.

Bob James, the manager of South Fork Public House, estimated the Grand Avenue restaurant doubles its profits during Mom’s Weekend.

James said while the event is helpful for staying in business, the restaurant’s bottom line doesn’t depend on it.

Scott Mackey, the marketing director for Paradise Creek Brewery, said business typically spikes between 50 and 100 percent above average each year.

Mackey said reservations and seating require increased attention during Mom’s Weekend, as does making sure there’s enough food and beer available.

“Moms aren’t typically the big beer drinkers,” he said, noting that the brewery distributes its beer through Seattle, central and eastern Washington, and parts of Idaho. “If people are fond of the beer, it can translate into sales off-site.”

Mackey said it’s “tough to gauge” how important Mom’s Weekend is for business.

“(It’s) good in a couple of ways in that we do get some exposure for people, students, I guess, that maybe haven’t been here before,” Mackey said.

Pullman City Council member Pat Wright chairs the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which oversees a 4 percent tax on hotel stays in the city. The tax, which is assessed year-round, contributes to a pool of money that the city uses to host various events, including Mom’s and Dad’s weekends.

“It’s kind of a self-perpetuating thing,” she said.

She said those events attract large flocks of people and boost the local economy.

That money is also used for various development projects, including the realignment of the runway at Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport.

“It’s all pretty obvious,” said Alex Anderson, an event coordinator in the Pullman Chamber of Commerce. “Graduation weekends, Mom’s and Dad’s, football games – they all help to strengthen the economy.”