At the annual State of Tourism Meeting, key stakeholders in the South Sound tourism community gathered at the Stampfer Retreat Center to celebrate what makes the region special and to recognize industry professionals in their pursuit of unity, community relations and innovation.
Aligning with the summer camp venue, the meeting opened with camp songs led by Stampfer staff. The Port of Olympia followed up with a skit showcasing the economic benefits of a port economy and how port activities contribute to tourism in the area. The Thurston Regional Planning Council announced an extension to their funding for the next four years and brought a song highlighting the rural transportation service. The CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, Shauna Stewart, shared her goal of making the South Sound a destination for families and loved ones to share unique and lifelong memories. She also announced Experience Olympia’s new accreditation through Destinations International, an association that encourages economic development, job stability, and quality of life through travel.
The meeting also hosted several speakers, each with expertise in different facets of travel in the Pacific Northwest. Dan Moore of Pandion Consulting spoke of adventure tourism and how that can be a draw to the Thurston County region. MaryAnn and Kelly Thompson are Global Biking Enthusiasts and they shared tales of their biking adventures from both local trails and from Eastern Europe. Josh Dunn, Owner and Publisher of Premier Media Group, emphasized the importance of storytelling to promote the local tourism industry and how business owners can visually showcase what makes them stand out.
The awards ceremony closed out the afternoon’s program. Each award celebrated a different aspect of the tourism industry and sought to recognize the best of Thurston County travel. The Community Unity Award acknowledges those who collaborate and engage with the community in the name of travel. The award was presented to the South Puget Sound Community College Brewing & Distilling Program. Praising innovation and new pathways forged, the Tourism Visionary Award was given to Dave Nickerson of the Tumwater Valley Golf Club. The Excellence in Hospitality Award commends professionals who go above and beyond for their guests. This year’s award went to Sandra Hall, owner of Dillinger’s Cocktails & Kitchen.
Between bike trails, tugboat tours and wildlife processions, Thurston County truly is a unique travel destination and thanks to all involved in the local tourism industry, there is a meaningful moment ready for every traveler.
