Submitted by Experience Olympia & Beyond
Experience Olympia and Beyond (EOB), Thurston County’s visitor and convention bureau, asks residents and past visitors to provide critical feedback to help shape the future of Thurston County.
In August 2023, EOB selected Conventions Sports Leisure (CSL) International LLC to conduct a 10-year Destination Master Plan (more information here). The Destination Master Plan will provide Experience Olympia & Beyond with a roadmap that will enhance Thurston County’s competitive position relative to other desirable tourism destinations, balancing visitors’ needs and wants with quality-of-life protections for local stakeholders and residents.
Part of this endeavor includes a comprehensive Sentiment Study to help capture the essential perspectives of Thurston County residents and past visitors.
“Both the team from CSL and Experience Olympia & Beyond are committed to ensuring our planning, development and marketing efforts are as inclusive and representative as possible, so adding surveying into the mix makes total sense,” EOB CEO Annette Pitts explains.
The survey will reveal:
- A comprehensive profile of visitors (who they are, where they come from, attractions visited and more)
- Visitor and resident perceptions of Thurston County
- Strengths and weaknesses of the destination
- Other key sentiment among residents and visitors
The survey results will be shored up with commonly held priorities identified in existing strategic plans published from organizations and municipalities throughout Thurston County, along with findings from Master Plan Steering Committee meetings, one-on-one and focus group meetings scheduled for November 1-3, and public visioning meetings scheduled for this winter.
Residents and past visitors can share their important views here. At the end of the survey, respondents will be given the opportunity to opt-in for a chance to win a $200 Amazon E-gift card or one of two $25 Amazon E-gift cards. The survey is scheduled to close on Sunday, November 12th at 11:59pm PT.
For more information about the survey, please contact Melissa Elkins, Director of Strategic Initiatives at melissa@experienceolympia.com.